Tehran21

According to a WHO report, physical inactivity as a leading cause of urban deaths is responsible for 3.2 million deaths annually, whereas other factors such as air pollution, traffic injuries, and violence, cause 1.3, 1.3, and 1.6 million deaths sequentially. On the other hand, modern lifestyle encourages sedentary behaviors*  due to increased use of motorized transportation (cars instead of walking or cycling), sedentary work (with computers), and inactive leisures (like watching TV and playing computer games). In the case of Tehran, almost 40% of adults do not meet the recommended level of physical activity (150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week). 

Researchers and designers at Urban Health Studio tried to propose solutions to activate existing urban spaces by means of gamification, so that the citizens get motivated to step into the public spaces as a fun sport experience, leading to an increase in physical activity as a behaviour change.

As an outcome of the studio, Tehran21 is a guideline for citizens of Tehran, offering 21 routes with specific qualities such as high accessibility, high levels of green spaces, low traffic congestion, all across the neighborhoods with relatively strong and impressive urban identity.   Each route has got introduced in the form of a two-sided card with detailed information such as proper speed, intervals, duration of walking/jogging, calories one will burn through the walk, and spatial qualities. Additionally, a series of unique pieces of music got mixed and arranged for each route, so that the user can access them through scanning QR codes and enjoy the rhythmic pieces of music which actually helps him/her to manipulate the pace of walking.

The card packs will get published and distributed across the city in April 2021.

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Financial Sponsor : Department of Health, Municipality of Tehran 

Studio Advisors : Tarlan Khoylou . Mahtab Hamzehlouy . Mahdi Najafi

Research & Design Team : Setareh Kian . Negar Sameei . Amirreza Mohabbat

Special Thanks to : Moujan Mahdian . Peeyade

* Sedentary behaviors: activities that do not increase energy expenditure substantially above the resting level. It includes activities such as sitting, watching TV, and other forms of screen based entertainment.