ABSTRACT
Physical inactivity is a global pandemic. The COVID-19 crisis has altered global patterns of physical activity in ways that were unimaginable before the outbreak. Enforced restrictions on mobility and the mass closure of indoor fitness centres has highlighted the limitations of many urban areas for enabling physical activity and reinforced inequalities in physical activity opportunities across cities. However, unprecedented reductions in mobility and increases in localised physical activity provide unique insight on opportunities for urban health promotion. COVID-19 responses can, therefore, encourage new perspectives in urban planning and inspire novel future strategies to design more sustainable, healthier and equitable cities.
Acknowledgements
The Scottish Government Hydro Nation Scholars Programme provided funding to support this research.
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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
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Notes on contributors
Craig W. McDougall
Craig W. McDougall is a PhD researcher in health geography in the department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Stirling.
Caroline Brown
Caroline Brown is an assistant professor at The Urban Institute in the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society at Heriot-Watt University.
Craig Thomson
Craig Thomson is a reader in civil engineering and environmental management in the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment at Glasgow Caledonian University.
Nick Hanley
Nick Hanley is a professor of environmental economics in the Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health & Comparative Medicine at the University of Glasgow.
Mark A. Tully
Mark A. Tully is a professor of public health in the Institute of Mental Health Sciences at Ulster University.
Richard S. Quilliam
Richard S. Quilliam is professor of environment and health in the department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Stirling.
Phil J. Bartie
Phil J. Bartie is an assistant professor in the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences at Heriot Watt University.
Lesley Gibson
Lesley Gibson is a research associate with a focus on fire safety for international development in the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh.
David M. Oliver
David M. Oliver is an associate professor in catchment science in the department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Stirling.