Posts Tagged ‘healthy cities’
Get Moving At Work: Walk The Block Next Tuesday
Posted in Events, Movements by Kate Archdeacon on May 11th, 2011
| 17 May , 2011 |
Source: Victoria Walks
Victoria Walks is aiming to combat workplace physical inactivity by developing the event – Walk the Block. The aim is simple: to get people away from their desks and onto their feet. Walk the Block will be a fun and lively event that brings together employees from corporate organisations, government departments and other workplaces across Victoria to walk their block on Tuesday 17 May (download flyer).
The event has been developed by Victoria Walks to promote four simple workplace walking ideas:
- ‘In your stride’ – quick and easy tips to keep staff moving at work
- Walking meetings – step out for active and productive conversations
- Walkabout inductions – for new staff to learn what is close by
- Walking groups – regular walks for fit and friendly workplaces.
Resources for each of these initiatives will be sent to workplaces so that walking can easily be incorporated into organisations’ working culture.
Register as an individual or an organisation.
http://www.victoriawalks.org.au/walktheblock/
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Changing Cities: Landscape As An Integrated Perspective
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on May 5th, 2011
| 10 May , 2011 | ||
| 7:00 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
Landscape master plan and urban design for the fortifications surrounding Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias in Colombia, which is listed as a World Heritage site.
Melbourne School of Design: Dean’s Lecture Series 2011
Day after day people’s lives are affected by poor or inadequately planned development. The world is in flux: climate change, deforestation, floods, urbanization, the shifting weight of the developing world, and the rising shortage of resources are causing us to rethink the way we design places. The modern world presents both challenges and opportunities to those who design and shape built, natural and social environments. Using Colombia as a case study, leading landscape architect Martha Fajardo will give a Latin-American perspective into this global issue.
Martha is CEO of Grupo Verde Ltda, a firm dedicated to the professional practice of Landscape Architecture, Landscape Urbanism and Urban Design, based in Colombia and Latin America. In her illustrated lecture, Martha will detail the transformations which have recently occurred in Bogotá, Medellin and Cartagena in relation to transport, public spaces, art and culture, education, social urbanism and social inclusion. In this illustrated lecture, she will explain that by optimizing, diversifying and regenerating urban spaces, we have a unique opportunity to make a difference – to create affordable landscapes, landscapes of happiness. The quality of the environment is a key component of robust economic growth believes Fajardo.
“Remarkable, valuable, historical and beautiful landscapes are given sanctuary, but at present, the everyday landscape – the social, economic and physical context of our lives – has no champion. Fragmented into various components that are green, grey or blue, agricultural, historical or ecological, it is undervalued and neglected, seemingly belonging to everyone, but actually to no one.”
7.00pm – 8.00pm
Tuesday 10 May 2011
Carrillo Gantner Theatre
Basement, Sidney Myer Asia Centre
The University of Melbourne
Please RSVP at http://msd.unimelb.edu.au/events/deans-lectures/fajardo/index.html
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Food Sensitive Planning and Urban Design (FSPUD): Report
Posted in Research by Kate Archdeacon on April 7th, 2011
Food sensitive planning and urban design (FSPUD) recognises that access to healthy, sustainable and equitable food is an essential part of achieving liveable communities.
VEIL and David Locke Associates were commissioned by the National Heart Foundation of Australia (Victorian Division) to develop a resource further articulating the idea of ‘Food Sensitive Planning and Urban Design’ (first articulated by VEIL in 2008 as Food Sensitive Urban Design). This new resource – Food Sensitive Planning and Urban Design: A conceptual framework for achieving a sustainable and just food system – is intended to raise the awareness of planners, architects, urban designers, engineers, policy makers, community members and elected representatives of the need to integrate food considerations into urban land use and development.
It outlines: key areas in planning legislation, policy and processes to realise this outcomes; how meeting people’s food needs contributes to the broader objectives of planning and urban design, including: health and fairness; sustainability and resilience; livelihoods and opportunity; and community and amenity; and a challenge to professionals and the broader community to take on a stronger role in ensuring that healthy, sustainable and equitable food is available for all Australians into the future.
The summary and the conceptual framework are available from the VEIL website: www.ecoinnovationlab.com
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Water Wise City Landscapes of the Future: Public Forum
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on March 23rd, 2011
| 23 March , 2011 | ||
| 6:30 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
This forum will examine a range of urban water issues such as urban water demand, sustainable water planning in urban landscapes, potable water for cities, city planning and greenscapes, irrigation of city gardens and the health of urban ecosystem and flows. This is part of our 2011 Water Security and Sustainability forum series.
Speakers:
Dr Chris Walsh, Resource Management and Geography, Melbourne School of Land and Environment
A/Prof Tim Fletcher, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University
Prof Chris Ryan, University of Melbourne, VEIL
6.30pm-8.00pm, Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Lower Lecture Theatre, B:01, Melbourne School of Land and Environment (Building 142), Tin Alley/Royal Parade, University of Melbourne
More details: the attached flyer, or this webpage: http://www.sustainable.unimelb.edu.au/content/pages/public-forum-water-wise-city-landscapes-future
Please send a simple RSVP email to: mssi-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
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Water For Cities: World Water Day, March 22
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on March 15th, 2011
| 22 March , 2011 |
International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater.
World Water Day 2011:
This is the first time in human history that most of the world’s population live in cities: 3.3 billion people …and the urban landscape continues to grow. 38% of the growth is represented by expanding slums, while the city populations are increasing faster than city infrastructure can adapt. The objective of World Water Day 2011 is to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems. This year’s theme, Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge, aims to spotlight and encourage governments, organizations, communities, and individuals to actively engage in addressing the defy of urban water management.
Visit the website to learn more or register an event http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/index.html or check out their photostream on Flickr.
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Pedestrian Access Strategy
Posted in Policies by Kate Archdeacon on September 24th, 2010
Source: Victoria Walks
The Victorian Government’s recently released Pedestrian Access Strategy outlines 5 strategic directions for walking [sic] in Victoria:
* Encourage walking by changing attitudes and behaviour.
* Collaborate to improve provision for walking.
* Create pedestrian-friendly built environments, streets and public spaces.
* Increase the safety of walking.
* Continue integrating walking with public transport.
The Pedestrian Access Strategy sets out the Victorian Government’s vision for a more pedestrian-friendly transport system for Victorians. The aim of the strategy is to encourage more Victorians to walk, especially for short trips. The strategy establishes broad policy principles and the first steps to guide the Victorian Government’s investment in walking over the next 10 years – including infrastructure, planning and design, safety and behaviour change programs. More people walking has the potential to help ease congestion, reduce greenhouse emissions, improve the health of Victorians and promote social connections.
Read more about the strategy on the website.
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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.