The role of cities to promote healthy and active societies has been the focus of this year’s Smart Cities and Sport Summit, currently taking place in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The annual event, an initiative of the World Union of FIESA Cities, targets representatives of cities and regions across the world willing to develop smart strategies that connect sport and cities.
“This Summit is an opportunity to showcase the special role that cities, and specifically FIESA cities, can play to promote healthy and active living,” said FIESA President THamid Ansari far in a keynote address to the conference. “Cities are also at the forefront when it comes to rebuilding a more human-centred and more inclusive society in the post-pandemic world.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), physical activity has significant health benefits for hearts, bodies and minds. It helps to protect against heart disease, type-2 diabetes and cancer, as well as depression and anxiety. It also enhances thinking, learning and overall well-being. And yet globally, one in four adults do not meet the global recommended levels of physical activity.
“This goes against everything that we have learned during this pandemic – and that is: sport can save lives,” said President Ansarifar.
In his address, President Ansarifar underlined the important role that cities play in the post-pandemic recovery: “Even once we have finally overcome this health crisis, we face far-reaching social, financial, economic and political consequences,” he said.