Cities on the move

Physical activity naturally intensifies in spring and summer when nice weather encourages people to do various sports. As autumn and winter approach, people become less active. They tend to forget that lack of sunshine or cold weather do not prevent them from doing indoor sport activities and winter sports.

With a view of changing this approach, the UBC Commission on Sport dedicated its 2006 "Cities on the Move" grants to the promotion of active living all year round. From the submitted applications, the Commission selected those projects which were aimed at encouraging people (especially having a sedentary lifestyle) of all age groups to be active all year round and to develop active living habits. Another important criterion was the propagation of a positive attitude towards physical activity as well as the promotion of urban health and social sustainability. Finally, the UBC Commission on Sport awarded initiatives focused on raising awareness and building capacity for having an active lifestyle through sport.

In mid December 2005 Commission announced the list of projects which had been awarded the 2006 "Cities on the Move" grants. The grants were introduced within the cooperation between UBC Commission on Sport and the Baltic Region Healthy Cities Association. Being the WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Cities and Urban Health in the Baltic Region, the Association is involved in the promotion of a healthy and

active lifestyle. Another element of this cooperation was the organisation of the UBC Commission on Sport Annual Meeting "Active Living", which was held in Gdynia on 5 May 2006. The idea of "Active Living" was the main subject of this year's meeting. The meeting consisted of two thematic blocks. The Thrst one was devoted to multifunctional sports arenas, while the other dealt with best practices connected with active living programmes - "Cities on the Move".