London hosts international conference on improving the health of cities
by Jessica Tasman-Jones | 20 Mar 2013
Leading architects, planners and city experts are in London this week to attend Fit Cities-Fit World - a conference organised to look at the role design and planning have in ensuring cities have healthy and active populations.
Held at City Hall, the conference will examine and build on what was learned as a result of major infrastructure and urban developments created for the London 2012 Games, including Queen Elizabeth Park and regeneration at Stratford.
Key speakers at the event include James Corner, the landscape architect behind Manhattan's High Line project, and David Burney and Karen Lee from New York's Center for Active Design.
Architects and planners from Brazil and Glasgow, which are both currently planning major sporting events, will also present at the conference.
Mayor Boris Johnson said: "London is being transformed, with inviting public spaces to relax in, new bike routes to entice cyclists, plots of land to grow food in and facilities to boost sports participation.
"We've got designs on making London one of the fittest cities in the world and this event is a great opportunity to share our expertise and learn from other cities."
Recent initiatives launched by London include almost £1bn for cycling infrastructure and the Pocket Parks scheme to transform under-used urban spaces.
Leading architects, planners and city experts are in London this week to attend Fit Cities-Fit World - a conference organised to look at the role design and planning have in ensuring cities have healthy and active populations. Held at City Hall, the conference will examine and build on what was learned as a result of major infrastructure and urban developments created for the London 2012 Games, including Queen Elizabeth Park
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