In an effort to improve public health and prevent obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma, the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter (AIANY), in partnership with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, will host FitCity 9 at the New School University Center at 63 Fifth Ave. on Monday, May 19, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Speakers and participants will examine how design of the built environment can create opportunities for increasing physical activity and access to healthier food and beverages and help to improve health equity across neighborhoods. The program brings together architects, planners, designers, landscape architects, developers, public health professionals, and community residents and leaders to discuss how design, policy, and practice decisions can address the key health epidemics of our time: obesity and related chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancers, and asthma. The entire program schedule is available here and at the end of this release.

This year’s event will also explore the alignment of health-promoting design with the priorities of the new administration, including the creation of affordable housing that promotes resident and community well-being and the safe and equitable access to active transportation and transit with Vision Zero’s street safety goals.

Hundreds of attendees will hear speakers and panelists including NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Mary Bassett, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Commissioner Victor Calise, NYC Department for the Aging Commissioner Donna Corrado, and NYC Department of Design + Construction Commissioner Feniosky A. Peña-Mora.

Rick Bell, FAIA, AIANY Executive Director, said, “Active Design is of increasing importance in a city that cares deeply about equal access to public services and recreational opportunities. It speaks to how we move through our communities in all five boroughs and how our buildings provide physical activity that combats the epidemics of a sedentary society.”

“Everyone deserves to live in a healthy and vibrant neighborhood,” said Dr. Mary T. Bassett, NYC Health Commissioner. “We are proud to partner with communities to create play spaces for children and safe streets for cyclists and pedestrians. Ensuring that design practices support opportunities for physical activity help combat the epidemics of obesity and reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.”

Conference participants will also hear how the strategies included in the Active Design Guidelines, released in January 2010, are being implemented by multiple government and non-government organizations in communities throughout NYC and across the country. The Active Design Guidelines provide architects and urban designers with strategies for creating healthier buildings, streets, and urban spaces, based on the latest academic research and best practices in the field. They include urban design strategies for creating neighborhoods, streets, and outdoor spaces that encourage walking, bicycling and active transportation and recreation, and building design strategies for promoting active living where we work, live and play.

The conference will also include an exclusive tour of the recently-completed University Center, led by Lia Gartner, FAIA, VP of Design and Construction for The New School.

FitCity 9 continues at The Center for Architecture at 536 LaGuardia Place on Tuesday, May 20, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM. The second day of the conference will create the opportunity for participants to discuss the issues raised during the panels and presentations on the first day. The half-day gathering will include a variety of roundtable conversations and hands-on workshops related to the intersection of Active Design, affordable housing, and transportation access in all of New York City's five boroughs.

For more information about FitCity 9, including the program schedule, visit www.aiany.org.

Press are invited to attend. RSVP to Camila Schaulsohn, [email protected], 212-358-6114 Tags: