One of the best running cities in the world is not where you would expect

Have you ever experienced that jolt of surprise while running, suddenly noticing the sounds of traffic or someone else’s footsteps in the darkness? For Canadian runners, this is a common consequence of urban landscapes that cannot accommodate their presence. But according to a new study published in Science directlyone international city has set a shining example: Helsinki, the capital of Finland. With its extensive range of outdoor sports facilities, the city has increased runners’ life satisfaction and could be a blueprint for other cities to follow.

The study

Northern European cities have long been known for their commitment to physical activity and quality of life, which is reflected in their urban planning. Today, Helsinki has an extensive network of 2,100 public outdoor sports facilities. These include heated swimming pools, fields, leisure parks, jogging trails and ski slopes. These facilities cover almost every neighborhood and ensure that all residents are easily accessible.

According to a recent study on Helsinki’s urban design, these services improve the life satisfaction of Finns. To assess the impact of these facilities on physical activity levels and life satisfaction, researchers looked at GPS routes used by runners between 2018 and 2021, according Strava, a popular GPS tracking app for athletes. The data showed that by taking into account urban density, greenery and abundance of water, Helsinki has become a runner’s paradise.

What is “walkability”?

This study highlights the concept of ‘walkability’ as a crucial measure of how urban environments can promote running and active lifestyles. Previous research has shown a link between the built environment and runner satisfaction.

Guided by the principles of governability, Helsinki’s urban planning focuses on three main factors: “greenness at eye level” (greenness at eye level), “greenness from above” (overall greenery visible from above) and “density of blue space” ( amount of water present). These factors appeared to increase the likelihood that people will take up running and intensify their experience. Helsinki’s urban design reflects this, with densely populated areas with more parks and trails tailor-made for runners.

Green as a game changer

The study looked at how many people live in an area using the so-called Floor Area Ratio (FAR), a tool also used by Canadian urban planners to measure the density and diversity of residential, office, commercial and industrial properties. areas to measure. Within these areas, Helsinki’s urban design strategically incorporates gradients into the terrain, as a way to increase the challenge of urban running routes and mimic more natural environments.

Green spaces were also found to have a calming effect and motivate runners to keep going. Of the 13,322 street segments in Helsinki assessed in the study, the streets with the most green space were found to be used most often by runners. The study suggests that future city planners should pay more attention to the number of street trees and vertical greening (where plants can be grown on, up or against a building), as Helsinki shows, which have been shown to promote well-being.

Canadian cities need more green space

Water is good for the soul

Another thing that makes Helsinki a fantastic place for runners is its geography, especially the abundance of lakes (about a tenth of its surface is covered by water). The study examines how such lakes could impact the city’s runners. That was discovered near Helsinki’s lakes, where there are usually fewer trafficrunners tend to move faster and freer.

The environment has long been associated with beneficial effects on the mental and physical health of runners. It should come as no surprise that last month, for the seventh year in a row, Finland was ranked as the happiest country in the world according to the World Happiness Report 2024.

This study proves how important it is for city planners to embed physical activity into the design of our communities. When city planners prioritize the needs of runners, they not only improve the quality of life and physical well-being of residents, but also contribute positively to a city’s economy, sustainability and environment.

Check out this year’s Helsinki City Running Day, Finland’s most popular road race, taking place on May 11.