Healthy Cities Contest Seeks Entries

The Third International Active Cities, Healthy Cities Contest is seeking entries from towns and cities in Latin America and the Caribbean that have sponsored initiatives to encourage healthy living and improve the quality of life for their residents.

Past winners have included:

Belo Horizonte, Brazil's "City Streets" initiative, which promoted infrastructure improvements that have benefitted some 870,000 pedestrians.
Pirapora, Brazil's city recycling and clean-up program, which improved the city's environment and helped to eliminate cases of dengue fever.
Biciacción ("Bike Action") of Quito, Ecuador, for "Quito Moves with You," an effort to reclaim roadways for recreational uses.

The contest has been recently featured on Mexican TV.

Entries for the 2008 contest will be judged in three categories: sustainable transportation and environment; public spaces, public safety, and civic culture; and physical activity and recreation.

Entries may be submitted by local governments, public or private institutions, civic organizations, and other groups that enjoy the support of local governments. The deadline for submissions is June 13. Winners will be presented at the Fourth International Congress on Sustainable Transport in Mexico City in October.

Sponsors of this year's contest include the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Center for Sustainable Transport (EMBARQ) of the World Resources Institute. Collaborating partners include El Tiempo Publishing, the National University of Colombia, the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce, and the Colombian Federation of Municipalities.