FOJAB introduces the Movement Factor as a new tool in urban planning

FOJAB and the Swedish Sports Confederation have together begun work on developing the Movement Factor - a tool for working with and integrating different types of physical activity in the urban environment and in urban planning. In collaboration with the Movium think tank and the Swedish Sports Confederation, FOJAB will organize a workshop to kick off the work.

Research and surveys show that physical activity among the population is declining among both adults and children. Areas for sports and movement in a broader sense are of great importance for more people to have the opportunity to be active, and are an important factor in improving public health. With the right location, content and design, these spaces and functions can also contribute to social life in cities. There is great potential in allowing sport and movement to play a more important role in the physical environment of cities.

- The knowledge that exists in the area of physical activity, sport and spatial planning focuses mainly on either physical activity in everyday life or sport's need for space and facilities. Little attention is paid to how the needs of sport are met in planning and how different types of physical activity can interact and reinforce each other. There is therefore a need for a tool that includes all aspects," says Emma Pihl, initiator and architect at FOJAB.

In collaboration with Movium and the Swedish Sports Confederation, FOJAB will arrange a workshop on February 5 in Malmö where representatives from various municipal administrations, government agencies, the sports movement, private actors and researchers will gather to work together on the issue.

- It is exciting to have started this work together with FOJAB. Areas for different types of movement and sports are an important issue in community planning and urban development, but the sports movement and the municipalities need to find better forms of cooperation and tools to work practically with the issue. With the help of the Movement Factor, we can include different types of areas for movement and sport early in the planning phase and all the way to implementation," says Jonnie Nordensky of the Swedish Sports Confederation.

- The movement factor can be used at different scales in planning and construction, from the general to the detailed. For other issues in urban planning, there are rules or guidelines to relate to, such as green space factor, parking standards, noise and light conditions, etc. By formulating and introducing a Movement Factor, we can better ensure that physical activity has a stronger and clearer role in the development of cities and communities, says Åsa Samuelsson, initiator and architect at FOJAB.