"MoveScape": Informing Active Landscape Planning to Improve Physical Activity and Well-Being

The purposeful design of environments built for meaningful physical activity experiences is underexplored. Development policies and regulations often overlook community involvement in active landscape design for enhanced physical activity engagement. This article addresses this gap by presenting findings from "MoveScape"-an academic-industry collaboration using participatory methods to explore the quality and meaningfulness of physical activity experiences to inform active landscape design that support physical literacy and community well-being.

Based at a new housing development in the East of England, 4 focus group workshops (N = 26, 33-68 y, 73% male) employed elements of appreciative inquiry, and invited local residents to explore meaningful physical activity, physical literacy, and neighborhood perceptions. Participants shared and envisioned physical activity experiences around their community. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to code and categorize data.

Eight themes were developed; (1) "safety and security"; (2) "sense of belonging"; (3) "attractive, eco-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing spaces"; (4) "inclusive, diverse and accessible spaces"; (5) "sustainable and durable spaces"; (6) "health considerations"; (7) "social interactions"; and (8) "valued spending."

Key recommendations for active landscape design, include prioritizing safety and security through better lighting and well-maintained environments, fostering a sense of belonging by designing inclusive, multigenerational spaces that encourage social interaction, and ensuring accessibility for diverse needs. Sustainable and aesthetically pleasing landscapes support long-term engagement. Key recommendations relate to embedding community voice and participatory methods in the active landscape design process to enhance meaningful physical activity through community investment, cultural identity, and long-term usability.