Active Design

What Is Active Design?

Active design is a way of utilizing urban planning and architecture to design buildings, schools, streets, and community spaces in a way that makes physical activity and healthy eating easily accessible.

How is SIPCW supporting Active Design Projects?

SIPCW has worked with schools to provide technical assistance and funding to implement active design projects like beautifying play spaces, installing water jets, and growing healthy foods in school gardens.

What is the Active Design School Designation?

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene partnered with SIPCW to launch an Active Design School Designation Pilot for schools across Staten Island, which will serve as a blueprint for schools in other boroughs that want to implement active design projects.

What is the Active Design School Challenge?

The Jewish Community Center of Staten Island and the Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness joined together to identify five extraordinary schools that would accept the challenge to find innovative ways to create a healthier school environment. Select schools were tasked with coming up with creative solutions to encourage healthy living through projects that enhance the built environment of their school communities. The schools were invited to present to funders at a Shark Tank-style event, entitled The Active Design School Challenge. All schools received funding for their projects, which included an indoor track, a mural, a hydroponic garden, a Zen garden, and a signage campaign. The Active Design School Challenge is one of several active design initiatives SIPCW has advanced to reduce the burden of chronic disease on the Staten Island community.

Watch NY1’s coverage of the Active Design School Challenge. 

How can my school get involved?

Contact SIPCW Special Projects Coordinator, Erika Larsen, for more information on how to get involved.

About PHSI

Through Partnership for a Healthier Staten Island, SIPCW aims to improve the health of Staten Islanders and reduce the prevalence of chronic disease. SIPCW organizes and leads this borough-wide coalition of community partners to implement evidence-based and innovative health promotion strategies.