Every Body Active by Design
Practical guidance for creating places that support movement, wellbeing and connection
The places where we live, work, learn and play influence how active we are every day. Active design creates urban environments that make walking, wheeling, cycling, play and social connection easy and enjoyable, from a swing in a street tree to a new subdivision designed around walking and cycling.
Every Body Active by Design provides practical guidance to help create healthier, more connected communities across Aotearoa, where movement is part of everyday life. It encourages planners, designers, policymakers, investors, mana whenua, communities and people with lived experience to work together to create more equitable access to quality places.
Making movement part of every day
Discover how active design helps create healthier, more connected communities by making everyday movement easier, safer and more enjoyable
Transcript
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Benefits of active design
When movement becomes part of everyday life, the benefits go beyond physical activity. Active design supports better health and wellbeing, stronger social connections, healthier environments, stronger local economies and places that reflect the people and stories that make them unique.
Physical and mental health
Making movement part of everyday life is good for both body and mind. Walking, wheeling, cycling, playing and spending time in nature can improve wellbeing, reduce stress and help people feel healthier and more connected.
Social
Great places bring people together. Streets, parks and public spaces that are easy to move through create more opportunities to meet, play, spend time together and build stronger community connections.
Environmental
Active design helps create cleaner, greener places. Encouraging walking, wheeling and cycling, while bringing more nature into everyday environments, can support biodiversity, improve air quality and help communities adapt to a changing climate.
Economic
Good design delivers long-term value. More active communities can help reduce healthcare costs, support local businesses and get more value from public investment.
Cultural
Places that reflect local stories, identity and connections to whenua and wai help people feel a stronger sense of belonging. Active design can celebrate what makes a place unique and strengthen connections between people and place.
Principles of Active Design
Active design is built on 5 principles. Used together, they help create places that support everyday movement, connection, wellbeing and a strong sense of place.
Connect people to places
Make it easy, safe and attractive to walk, wheel and cycle between homes, schools, parks, shops, public transport and other everyday destinations. Well-connected places make movement a practical part of daily life.
Promote playfulness and joy
Create places that encourage curiosity, exploration and fun. Opportunities for play, discovery and social interaction help people of all ages move more often and enjoy being active as part of everyday life.
Bring spaces and places to life
Design streets, parks and public spaces with things to do, see and experience. Vibrant places give people reasons to visit, stay, connect with others and spend more time being active outdoors.
Integrate everyday encounters with nature
Bring nature closer to everyday life through trees, parks, waterways and green spaces. Access to nature makes places more inviting, supports wellbeing and encourages people to walk, cycle, play and spend time outdoors.
Celebrate the essence of people and place
Active design in practice
Blue-green corridors
Blue-green corridors can connect people with nature while supporting everyday movement. Walking and cycling routes alongside waterways, wetlands and coastlines create active, resilient and attractive places.
Te Auaunga Oakley Creek restoration, Avondale
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras commodo pellentesque nisl id tincidunt
Te Ara Tupua Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras commodo pellentesque nisl id tincidunt
Main streets and town centres
Main streets and town centres are places to connect, gather and spend time. Active design prioritises people, making it easier to move around, linger and enjoy local destinations.
George Street Upgrade
Ōtepoti Dunedin
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras commodo pellentesque nisl id tincidunt
Downtown Auckland
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras commodo pellentesque nisl id tincidunt
Christchurch Central City
Ōtautahi Christchurch
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras commodo pellentesque nisl id tincidunt
New residential neighbourhoods
The design of new neighbourhoods shapes how people move every day. Connected streets, nearby destinations and inviting public spaces make walking, wheeling, cycling and play easier choices.
Hobsonville Point
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut dolore magna aliqua.
Wigram Skies
Ōtautahi Christchurch
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt.
Central city living
Ōtautahi Christchurch
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras commodo pellentesque nisl id tincidunt
Parks and local green spaces
Parks and local green spaces provide everyday opportunities to move, play and connect with nature. Active design helps make them welcoming, accessible and well used by people of all ages.
Flaxmere Park
Heretaunga Hastings
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras commodo pellentesque nisl id tincidunt
Te Auaunga Oakley Creek restoration, Avondale
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras commodo pellentesque nisl id tincidunt
City centres
City centres bring together jobs, services, public transport and public spaces. Active design makes it easier to walk, wheel and cycle between destinations while creating vibrant places people enjoy spending time in.
Christchurch Central City
Ōtautahi Christchurch
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras commodo pellentesque nisl id tincidunt
Downtown Auckland
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras commodo pellentesque nisl id tincidunt
Central city living
Ōtautahi Christchurch
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras commodo pellentesque nisl id tincidunt
George Street Upgrade
Ōtepoti Dunedin
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras commodo pellentesque nisl id tincidunt
Existing neighbourhoods
Small changes can make a big difference in existing neighbourhoods. Active design helps improve everyday movement through safer streets, better connections and more inviting public spaces.
Te Ara Mua – Future Streets, Māngere
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras commodo pellentesque nisl id tincidunt
Flaxmere Park
Heretaunga Hastings
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras commodo pellentesque nisl id tincidunt
Te Auaunga Oakley Creek restoration, Avondale
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras commodo pellentesque nisl id tincidunt
Business parks and light industrial areas
Business parks and industrial areas can support more than work. Active design creates opportunities for movement, connection and wellbeing through better streets, public spaces and active travel links.
Waterloo Business Park
Canterbury
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras commodo pellentesque nisl id tincidunt
Further resources
Learn more about the campaign using these helpful guides
