Happiness and health were the focus of today’s opening plenary, kicking-off another day dense with insights, ideas, inspiration, food for thought.

The World Health Organisation is increasingly sharpening its emphasis on delivering a global action plan that promotes urban environments designed to encourage more physical activity. WHO research tells us over 600,000 deaths a year in Europe are linked to physical inactivity. Part of the solution to this is to design infrastructure for more walking, cycling and public transport, as well as green and pleasant areas for kids and adults.

Cycling clearly brings tremendous benefits for both people and the environment. It contributes to healthier lives by helping to prevent a large number of severe and chronic diseases. Moreover, employees that cycle to work regularly have on average 1.3 days less sickness absence per year. 

Orna Donoghue, project manager of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin, revealed some of the results from her research: “The overall objective of TILDA is to assure independent living for as long a possible. We found that quality of life improves with age from the age of 50, and peaks at around 68”.

She focused the discussion on the more senior citizens and the duty of the city to adapt to their needs and be fully inclusive. 

Matthew Philpott, Executive Director of European Healthy Stadia Network, spoke after Orna. He presented the good work and innovation they are bringing into stadia: “We are using stadia as opportunities to promote a healthier lifestyle, and this includes promoting active travel to access sport events and matches”.

Lucy Saunders closed the panel with a bang. She is a public health specialist, urbanist and transport planner, and she created the Healthy Streets Approach, putting health at the heart of city policy in London: “We want 80% of the journeys in London to be done by walking, cycling, and public transport by 2041”. 

The Healthy Streets for London is about realising the health potential of streets. Streets are the place where all citizens meet, focusing on streets means promoting health for every person living in a city.