There are increasing concerns about obesity, loneliness and disease that result from passive lifestyles – people sit in front of computers for too long, children watch too much tv and everyone constantly refers to their smartphone for news and social media updates instead of actively engaging with each other and their environments.

The technologies (computers, tvs and cell phones) that have led to this are getting cheaper and more ubiquitous making the problem worse. Countering this effect will require parallel efforts to make access to sport and physical social interaction easier.

Fortunately, in most cities, there are many small areas of unused land that can be used. These could be designed for sports such as five-a-side football, basketball, volleyball and netball to encourage increased activity and social interaction. Almost any space will work, as is demonstrated by the irregular sports fields being developed in Thailand, see photo above and more here.