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T hough it differs in size, structure and culture, Buenos Aires nevertheless faces health and social issues that are invariably similar in nature to those encountered by Liverpool and Lillehammer, the two Global Active Cities previously featured in Olympic Review. These include the chronic inactivity of certain sections of the population; an increase in non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, cancer and diabetes); a rise in mental illness; integration problems; and widespread social and economic inequality. Another major cause for concern is obesity, especially among children. The authorities are also seeking to reduce the historical inequalities that have traditionally existed between the north and south of the city, which has welcomed immigrants for over 150 years and is home to three million people. Buenos Aires has capitalised on the opportunity offered by hosting the next edition of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to embrace the Global Active City project, the development of which is supported and funded by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This innovative, flexible and multi-sectoral strategy puts people and the community at the heart of a new form of city governance. In taking this approach, Buenos Aires is striving to meet its challenges, improve its practices by learning from those of other cities, share its own experiences and create a framework for incorporating its initiatives into an integrated strategy. Supported by the city council, one of the first phases was the creation of an Active City Board. Comprising representatives from different sectors (health, sport, transport, education, town planning, nutrition, etc.), the board has set out a roadmap allowing the various stakeholders to coordinate their efforts and develop a cross-disciplinary vision of the whole process. The project has been identified and approved by the city’s mayor as being strategically important, with its prime objective being to combat childhood obesity. The city’s Under Secretary for Sport, Luis Gustavo Lobo, a former tennis player and an Olympian, believes the Global Active City project ties in seamlessly with the vision and culture of Buenos Aires. PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES“Estaciones Saludables” (health stations)Found at around 40 strategic city locations, the stations promote healthy lifestyles and raise awareness of non-communicable diseases. Locals can test their blood pressure and glucose levels, get nutritional advice, and sign up for one of the many exercise groups in the city’s parks. “Yo amo mi barrio” (“I love my neighbourhood”)This volunteer-based project aims to bring different communities together at local sports clubs, joining forces to improve infrastructure and create a shared sense of belonging. One day a year, volunteers refurbish their club’s facilities and equipment, while cultural activities and games are laid on for children.Polideportivos (sports centres)The city has been upgrading its sports centres since 2015. Half of these have now been refurbished, while work on the other half should be completed by the middle of 2018. These centres provide free access to sports facilities and supervised activities for people of all ages. Around 100,000 people use the centres every week.Juegos Porteños (Buenos Aires Games and summer camps)The annual Buenos Aires Games comprise competitions for different age groups in 50 sporting disciplines. Held at locations across the city and with more than 10,000 participants, they promote social integration. The city also holds annual summer camps at public sports centres for 20,000 children. ‘IN BUENOS AIRES, WE CONSIDER SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS A TOOL TO IMPROVE HEALTH, SOCIAL HARMONY AND JOY’ LUIS GUSTAVO LOBO, BUENOS AIRES UNDER SECRETARY FOR SPORTAboveBuenos Aires locals take part in a health station exercise group in a city parkOLYMPIC REVIEW 59ACTIVE CITIES