Münster's athletic vision unfolds: 80 initiatives to boost urban exercise participation
Münster - Putting Movement in Your Hands
It's high time Munster took a decisive step towards encouraging physical activity for all its inhabitants. With an audacious game plan, the city aspires to proactively foster sports and fitness for everyone. The new sports strategy boasts over 80 actionable measures and strategic objectives, aiming to establish the foundation for an active, healthy community over the subsequent two decades.
Brace yourself, as the city council decides on the game plan on July 2nd, after a multi-year involvement process that included sports departments, clubs, schools, kindergartens, specialist departments, and citizens alike. The crucial question lurks: How can Munster transform into a city where movement isn't just an option, but a natural part of life?
Movement for Everybody - Beyond Club Walls
"We aim to make sports and exercise universally accessible, location-targeted, and health-oriented," Kerstin Dewaldt, sports department head, explains. The revised strategy encompasses not merely traditional sports infrastructure like halls and courts, but also low-threshold exercise options, digital solutions, and urban development focus areas.
Urban Planning & Sports Facilities - A Match Made in Heaven
An integral part of the plan entails integrating sports facilities into urban planning. By the year's end, at least 2.32 square meters of outdoor sports spaces per inhabitant should be provided, catering to various activities like football, beach volleyball, or tennis. Additionally, at least 0.25 square meters of hall space per person should be reserved based on district needs.
This move aims to ensure that sports facilities are a mainstay in new residential areas, rather than an afterthought luxury.
Free, Outdoor, For All
A primary focus is on freely accessible public space offerings. Outdoor fitness equipment, trim trails, or ball game areas are designed to address structural gaps, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. Existing hall facilities must also be utilized more effectively, for instance, by streamlining booking systems.
"It's about participation—regardless of whether someone belongs to a club or prefers going solo," Dewaldt stresses.
Digitalization - Removing Barriers
An upcoming online portal aims to simplify sports offer access. Citizens will soon be able to explore, book, and directly contact sports opportunity providers. Digitalization thereby morphs into an instrument for enhanced visibility, transparency, and simplified participation.
District-Specific Analyses & Action Plans
To guarantee that the plan yields results, Munster has designed district profiles. These provide a comprehensive inventory of local sports infrastructure, identify needs, and outline actionable steps. This makes sure investments are made in areas where they're truly needed.
"We've developed a tool that takes into consideration community, sustainability, and quality of life," Rainer Bergmann, head of sports and sports facilities development, remarks.
Denmark Already Celebrates Satisfaction
Per a 2023 survey, 82% of Munster inhabitants are generally satisfied with existing sports and fitness opportunities. This is an exceptional value nationwide—but there's always space for improvement. The new plan intends to plug these gaps and solidify movement as an integral part of daily life.
Following deliberations in political committees, the final decision lands on July 2nd. Post-decision, implementation could commence, subject to available financial and human resources.
The revised strategy aims to make science-backed health-and-wellness options, including fitness-and-exercise regimes and lifestyle choices, more accessible to everyone in Munster.
The incorporation of digital solutions into the plan, such as the upcoming online portal, is intended to remove barriers and enhance visibility, transparency, and simplified participation in sports opportunities.
The new sports strategy also emphasizes district-specific analyses and action plans to ensure that investments are made in areas where they're truly needed, promoting sports as a key aspect of lifestyle in Munster, similar to the benefits seen in Denmark.
