Zukunft in Bewegung

Regular physical activity as part of daily life makes a significant contribution to promoting health and preventing illness in children: making everyday trips on foot or by bike not only strengthens physical health but also mental, social and cognitive health – and is therefore a key component of holistic development. Furthermore, active everyday mobility can make an important contribution to environmental and climate protection. However, studies show that the majority of children do not get enough exercise. 

This is where the project "Zukunft in Bewegung" (Future in Motion) comes in, carried out by the Wuppertal Institute on behalf of AOK Rheinland/Hamburg: The aim is to systematically explore synergies between physical activity, health and climate protection – and to test them in the model municipality of Remscheid. The project aims to bring about both behavioural changes and structural changes, such as the redesign of footpaths.

A key focus is on raising awareness and building capacity for healthy mobility through participatory approaches. Following a preliminary study to identify key challenges, needs and courses of action, the project team applies a real-world laboratory approach to strengthen everyday mobility in a practical, iterative process. Children are actively involved as experts on their own mobility, as are local stakeholders, including teachers, parents and local councillors. Together, barriers and resources for active everyday mobility are identified, and measures are co-created, implemented and evaluated. Real-world experiments create spaces for learning and experience, making concrete measures visible, tangible and effective, and strengthening the capacity for action of relevant stakeholders. Finally, the researchers produce practical guidelines to ensure the continuity of the approaches as well as their transfer to other municipalities.