Design Bar: Designing for Movement

How can design encourage more people to be physically active in their everyday lives? At this edition of Design Bar, we explore how our shared environments can make physical activity a natural part of daily life.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one-third of the world’s population is insufficiently physically active. At the same time, research shows that even small changes in exercise habits can make a significant difference.

In spring 2026, the Swedish Government presented a policy paper (Attraktiva platser – bredare genomslag för politiken för arkitektur, form och design ↗) on how to increase the impact for the national policy on architecture, design and the built environment. It emphasises that our shared living environments should provide opportunities for sport, physical activity and everyday movement, with the aim of lowering barriers to a healthier lifestyle. But what obstacles to movement exist in cities today? And how can we design places that encourage and facilitate physical activity?

Through a panel discussion and workshop, we will explore how design can be used as a tool to promote movement and health.

Programme

17:30 Panel discussion

• Emma Franzén, Landscape Architect/Analyst, Public Health Agency of Sweden
• Kajsa Lindström, Service Designer, Beteendelabbet
• Daniel Berglind, Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet
• Moderator: Olle Lundin, ArkDes

18:15 Workshop

19:00 The programme ends

ArkDes Design Bar is a recurring programme that explores the role of design in sustainable societal development. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase on site.