Playground Exhibition (07-02-13)
The Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh is currently (though August 11) exhibiting The Playground Project.
The Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh is currently (though August 11) exhibiting The Playground Project.
How can design encourage physical activity?
Some studies are important because they rigorously confirm our expectations. A recent investigation by Wilhelm-Stanis, Vaughan, and Kaczynski of parks does just this.
Research has shown that walking is good for our physical health and mental performance, but how can design encourage people to take a stroll?
Baran and colleagues investigated the relationship between street design and park use.
When people think about walking, they usually just think about how it can improve physical health—but research shows that taking a stroll also enhances our mental performance, and has other surprising benefits.
Nathan, Wood, and Giles-Corti share information collected in focus groups with people living in retirement villages related to older individuals and walking.
Neighborhood and urban design that encourages walking is frequently researched.
Nathan, Wood, and Giles-Corti move knowledge on designing for exercise forward.
People interested in urban design will find Speck’s book useful, even if they do not generally focus on designing to enhance the health of the public or the planet.