‘MoveScape’: informing active landscape planning to improve physical activity and wellbeing

Background: The purposeful design of built environments 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 wellbeing. Methods: Based at a new housing development in the East of England, four focus group workshops (N = 26; 33-68 years; 73% male) employed elements of appreciative inquiry and invited local residents to explore meaningful physical activity, physical literacy, and neighbourhood perceptions. Participants shared and envisioned physical activity experiences around their community. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to code and categorise data. Results: 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’, (8) ‘Valued spending’. Conclusion: Key recommendations for active landscape design include prioritising safety and security through better lighting and well-maintained environments, fostering a sense of belonging by designing inclusive, multi-generational 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.