Posts Tagged ‘healthy cities’
Pride-of-Place: What Makes Cities Great
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on May 9th, 2010
Image: Glasgow by easymoneyrasta via flickr CC
After decades of decline, Chicago, Glasgow and Manchester are experiencing a renaissance. Different cities have different stories to tell. However, three ingredients are common across all these cities; people, pride and purpose. Come and hear why these three ingredients are important and how they will affect the future of Australian cities.
Join John McTernan and Grattan Institute on Thursday 13 May to discuss the future of our cities.
Have you heard of walking meetings?
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on April 14th, 2010
Source: Victoria Walks
“Have you heard of walking meetings?” from Victoria Walks:
Philip Moran is the CEO of Merri Community Health Services (MCHS). As CEO of a large community health service, Philip traditionally spent much of his time sitting in his office, sitting in various meetings, and sitting in traffic getting to and from meetings. Like many people working in an office environment, it was common for him to spend more than 8 hours a day being mostly sedentary. 6 years ago, Philip decided to become healthier and more physically active in his daily life. He changed his diet and started exercising more. He wore a pedometer and walked 10,000 steps a day. He then decided to combine walking with some of his meetings as well. Noticing that he could become more physically active at work, Philip began to take other managers and staff for a wander during supervision meetings and catch-up discussions.
Healthy Parks = Healthy People? A Melbourne Conversation
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on April 13th, 2010
Source: Climate Action Calendar
Image: reggestraat via flickr CC
Healthy Parks = Healthy People? Nature & the outdoor life. Conversations about parks, play, children, access to nature, wellbeing and the great outdoors.
Richard Louv identified a phenomenon: nature-deficit disorder. His book Last Child in the Woods has galvanized an international movement around the disconnection between children and nature. Steve Coleman leads Washinton DC’s 16-year-old alliance of public/private parks partnerships, which manages restoration, stewardship, and programming of their parks across the city. Mardie Townsend is involved, in collaboration with Parks Victoria and other partner organisations, in investigating the benefits of contact with nature for human health and wellbeing.
Panellists:
Associate Professor Mardie Townsend, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University;
Steve Coleman Executive Director, Washington Parks and People, USA;
Richard Louv Journalist, Author and chairman and co-founder of the Children & Nature Network, USA.
Moderator:
Natasha Mitchell – Journalist and Presenter, ABC Radio National – All in the Mind.
Tue 13 Apr
6pm to 7.30pm, entry from 5.30pm
BMW Edge, Federation Square
All welcome, No bookings required, Free entry
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Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress
Posted in Events by lridley on March 2nd, 2010
Image: Introducing Healthy Parks Healthy People Part 1
The Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress is a world-first event coordinated by Parks Victoria to explore how nature significantly contributes to our wellbeing and broader societal benefits. It is expected to attract over 1000 delegates from Australia and over 28 countries represented from around the world. Participants will come from many different sectors including urban planning, community development, physical and mental health, tourism, education, recreation, ecology and park management (urban and protected area) industrial and technological. This diversity of perspectives will allow delegates to understand the benefits of nature through the eyes of many.
Over the course of the Congress delegates will engage in a memorable way with different models of engagement including; inspirational speakers in plenary sessions, field tours to key locations across Melbourne, outdoor sessions and practical workshops and discussions.
Keynote Speakers include:
- Professor Tim Flannery (Aus) Environmental activist and author of ‘Weather Makers’.
- Richard Louv (USA) author of ‘Saving our children from nature deficit disorder’,
- Guillermo Penalosa (Canada) Executive Director Walk and Bike for Life Canada
- Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka (Uganda) CEO Conservation Through Public Health
and many more…………….
Why attend the Congress?
- If you work in physical or mental health, planning, tourism, community development, education, conservation, climate change, government, policy development or park management you can’t afford not to be a part of this innovative event.
- Learn more about emerging research demonstrating the integral ties between nature and human health and well being.
- Gain practical insight from evidence based case studies.
- Be inspired by innovative and non-pharmaceutical tactics to improve health outcomes for individuals and communities.
- Gain a truly international perspective, with presenters from 27 countries.
- Gather intelligence and build networks within and across your sector.
- Participate in setting the agenda for this important movement.
Melbourne Convention Centre, Melbourne Victoria
11 – 16 April 2010
For more information, a full program and registration details please visit the website.
Ride to Work Day 2009
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on July 7th, 2009
Source: Ride to Work , Bicycle Victoria
Ride to Work Day on Wednesday 14 October 2009 is entering its third year nationally and aiming for a participation of 141,000 workers across Australia.
Ride to Work is a behaviour change program that encourages workers to feel good and have fun by commuting to work by bike and experiencing the health, financial and environmental benefits. Make your ride count and register for free today at http://www.bv.com.au/ride-to-work/ Read the rest of this entry »
Bluestone Lounge Room – Designing the Streets of Melbourne
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on July 3rd, 2009
Source: Going Solar Transport Newsletter
Image: State of Design
Pedestrians are the lifeblood of cities, past and present. Conceived as an extension of the Melbourne pedestrian experience, this exhibition uses the outside and inside of the City Gallery to chart the ubiquitous yet seemingly invisible role of design in public space. Surfaces, bins, benches, footpath widths, etc: design a good street, create a good city. Curated by Michael Trudgeon.
Date: 17th July – 30th September 2009; opening Thursday, 16 July, 6pm-8pm
Venue: City Gallery, Melbourne Town Hall
Cost: Free
More Info: State of Design
Source: Going Solar Transport Newsletter
Call for Proposals: Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress
Posted in Seeking by Kate Archdeacon on June 19th, 2009
Sourced from Healthy Parks Healthy People, the website for the inaugural 2010 HPHP Congress.
The Call for Proposals for the first International Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress is NOW OPEN and will remain open until June 22nd 2009.
With the increasing recognition of the value of nature to human health and wellbeing worldwide, Parks Victoria will host the inaugural International Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress at the new Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 11-16 April 2010. Read the rest of this entry »
Research on Designs for a child-friendly city
Posted in Research by Ferne Edwards on March 2nd, 2009
This abstract about “Designs for a child-friendly city” by Karen Malone was published on Australian Policy Online. It discusses important issues of a child’s need to be able to explore a city – to meet their neighbours and see nature in the streets – for their own development. For this to occur, cities must be created to allow children the space and safety to explore. To view the full text published in Curriculum Leadership click here.
Ideally, towns and cities should be the site where children socialise, observe and learn how society functions. They should also be places where children can find refuge, discover nature and find tolerant and caring adults who will encourage them to explore and wonder about their world.A generation ago, children were far more likely to play independently in their own neighbourhood than they are today. The child’s right to free play in a city is something we may be giving away too lightly.
To view the complete article click here.
“5 priorities in transport/mobility for a healthier Melbourne” workshop responses
Posted in Sustainable Cities Round Tables by Ferne Edwards on November 25th, 2008
At the recent Sustainable Cities Round Table on Healthy Cities we asked the audience to name five priorities in transport / mobility that would make Melbourne a healthier and more sustainable city. Many people listed “Bike lockers, bike racks and more parking areas at suburban train stations”, “Dedicated spots for bikes on trains / buses”, and “priorising pedestrians” as their top points. Other more unusual responses included “frequent riders (like frequent flyers) to earn points” or “Rewards for people who cycle eg. A reduced cost for health insurance” or even “Teleportation – something to ponder”! The complete list of the responses are below.
Audience responses
Bike lockers, bike racks and more parking areas at suburban train stations.
Dedicated places for bikes on trains / buses
Proper bike routes
Rewarding walker / cyclists
Buses being run on renewable energy
Read the rest of this entry »
Paper on Hope, despair and transformation: Climate change and the promotion of mental health and wellbeing
Posted in Research by Ferne Edwards on November 25th, 2008
Following on from the recent Sustainable Cities Round Table on the topic of Healthy Cities, this research paper published in the International Journal of Mental Health Systems explores the relationship between climate change and mental health. This abstract was recently listed on Australian Policy Online. To access the full text click here.
Hope, despair and transformation: Climate change and the promotion of mental health and wellbeing
Jessica G Fritze, Grant A Blashki, Susie Burke and John Wiseman / International Journal of Mental Health Systems
The authors argue that:
Read the rest of this entry »