Exciting news from Switzerland: The Federal Office for Sport BASPO is participating in the model projects Sustainable Spatial Development 2025–2030 with its own thematic focus. Innovative projects are supported that Designing residential areas to be sport and exercise friendly.
We have summarised the most important points from the information event, the call for tenders and the information material. We also have tips for successful implementation and ideas for projects right on your doorstep!
The Facts at a Glance
DEADLINES & PERIOD
The deadline for submissions is June 20, 2025.
Project selection will take place in November 2025
Start of projects at the end of 2025/beginning of 2026
supervision of the projects 2025-2030
FUNDING
Selected projects will be funded up to 200,000 CHF The BASPO will support the projects over a period of 2025-2030 and will provide advice, including on communication.
WHAT & WHO?
Who: Public and private law actors.
Project perimeter: from local to regional (not cantonal or supraregional)
Projects with an organizational and/or implementation focus
Background: Why is a movement-friendly city important?
Exercise is part of everyday life for the Swiss population, and preferably close to home. But in order for people to enjoy exercising regularly, attractive and safe places are needed.
Unfortunately, space in our cities is becoming increasingly scarce. This makes it all the more important for city planners to find clever solutions to create enough space for movement and encounters. At the same time, this can also have benefits for the climate, nature and the cityscape.
The model project “Planning residential areas to be sport and exercise friendly” is intended to help incorporate exercise and encounters into urban planning right from the start. And above all: people should have a say! When city dwellers express their wishes, livable places are created that people enjoy using.
Top 10 success factors for your projects:
- Involve other levels of government & the population
- Say goodbye to silo thinking
- Consider children as an important target group
- Organizing a Togetherness
- Communicate effectively & seek direct conversations
- Offering something new instead of taking away what is known
- health and environment with concerns
- Start small but think long-term
- Keep your sights on the goal and set clear priorities
- Raising awareness of movement-friendly cities
Inspiration? Our 3 ALLEGRA tips:
Innovative, creative projects with a laboratory character?
Innovation is required. We at ALLEGRA have developed an exciting concept that ideally fits the requirements: the VELO PARK!
This latest generation of bike playgrounds is not just for the pros, not just for the little ones and not just for the bike! The combination of Modular Pump Track and versatile skill modules provide endless, individual possibilities in every open space. (For example here: A pump track under a bridge).
Temporary solutions are also possible. Layouts can be rebuilt, enlarged or reduced and Velopark Module be recombined and rearranged. Start small and build from there. This provides variety and appeals to everyone across generations - exercise right on your doorstep.
Small but mighty: practice straights and obstacles on the cycle paths to school, kindergarten or work can work small and big miracles thanks to their magnetic effect: goodbye to parent taxis and cars!
Ask Mike, he can tell you more about it!
Participation, participation, participation!
An important prerequisite for successful projects is the participation of as many actors as possible. Here is an example of our modular pump tracks: Stir up clubs and members, conduct surveys in the community, integrate universities, schools and kindergartens, get the city planners on board. Let them vote on the pump track layout, the color and the area. And also when it comes to implementation: integrate the kids and drivers - the cooperation during the joint construction grows without social barriers. Organize an opening event, a pump track race, a bike license, sports lessons or workshops with local bike schools. Get cooperation partners for nice branding and, and, and... Any more ideas?
Clearly define and measure goals
Of course, you will feel it - once you have implemented a project that promotes physical activity, the sense of community grows. And the children's shining eyes say more than a thousand words or numbers.
In order to make the success of your projects measurable, we can use counters give clear statements. How many users do we have, at what times of day and year. Which area is particularly busy, which is used less and therefore perhaps still has room for improvement. Where is it important to separate traffic in your residential areas? The figures will help you make decisions. Benni is our monitoring expert and knows everything about it.
ALLEGRA will be happy to support you with your applications and find the perfect project to get the maximum movement out of your residential areas.
