Urban design has become a determining factor in the development of sport and physical activity, according to the report Sports for People and Planet, published by the World Economic Forum. The document highlights how the way cities plan their infrastructure, public spaces and mobility systems directly influences levels of sports participation, positioning the urban environment as a permanent extension of traditional sports venues.
The report examines how this relationship between city and sport affects both grassroots sport and the organisation of competitions and events. It analyses the role of parks, rivers, open facilities and active mobility networks as everyday sports infrastructure, as well as differences in access between neighbourhoods and the impact that major events can have as catalysts for investment and urban transformation.
Neighbourhoods competing on unequal terms
Access to open sports infrastructure emerges as one of the most influential factors in physical activity levels. The report notes that the presence of green spaces, urban circuits, cycle lanes and pedestrian areas significantly increases the likelihood of regular sports participation by reducing access barriers and dependence on indoor facilities.
However, the report warns that access to sports infrastructure is not evenly distributed within cities. There are clear differences in sports participation between neighbourhoods depending on the availability of suitable spaces, urban connectivity and environmental quality. These territorial inequalities condition participation and limit the ability of certain areas to integrate into the city’s sporting life. From an institutional perspective, this gap has direct implications for federations, clubs and local authorities.
Equipment as part of sports infrastructure
Beyond physical space, the report identifies access to equipment as another key component of sports infrastructure. The cost of sporting goods remains a barrier for large segments of the population, limiting participation even in urban environments that are otherwise well supplied with open facilities.
In this context, the document highlights circular economy models — such as resale, rental and the reuse of sports equipment — as tools to expand access. These practices lower the entry cost to sport and support continued participation, particularly among young people and new participants, reinforcing the effective use of existing infrastructure. The report stresses that public policies integrating urban planning with access to equipment can increase participation without requiring major additional investment in facilities.
The report also analyses the role of major sporting events as urban catalysts. Venue preparation, transport infrastructure improvements and the regeneration of public spaces linked to these events can leave a lasting legacy for everyday sports participation, provided there is planning focused on post-event use. However, the document cautions that this impact is not automatic. Sporting legacy depends on how newly created infrastructure is integrated into the existing urban network and remains accessible after the event, avoiding underused venues disconnected from local communities.
The city as a key actor in the sports system
At a global level, the World Economic Forum positions cities as strategic actors in the future of sport. The combination of open infrastructure, access to equipment and event planning shapes the capacity to increase physical activity and sustain more inclusive and efficient sports systems.
The report notes that the growth of sport will largely depend on how cities integrate sport into territorial planning and infrastructure management, consolidating the urban environment as a permanent sports venue that influences both participation levels and the development of the wider sports ecosystem.
