Integrating sport events and green spaces for sustainable and active urban living

Urban sustainability research is increasingly focused on the interactions between green spaces, physical activity, and community well-being. As cities continue to expand and face complex environmental and social challenges, the role of urban green spaces—such as parks, trails, and recreational environments—becomes pivotal in shaping healthy and resilient urban lifestyles. Recent studies underscore that these landscapes do more than support ecological functions; they act as vital arenas for social interaction, cultural activities, and, crucially, physical activity through daily recreation and organized sport events. However, despite growing recognition of their benefits, there are still substantial gaps regarding how green spaces are utilized for sustainable development, especially when considering the integration of sport event planning with green infrastructure management and broader urban health goals.Current evidence suggests that sport events can serve as dynamic instruments for activating underused green areas, attracting investment in eco-conscious infrastructure, and galvanizing public interest in physical activity. These activities have demonstrated capacity to boost ecological stewardship and inclusivity while also enhancing community cohesion and urban vibrancy. Nonetheless, much of the academic and practical discourse remains fragmented: research rarely addresses the synergistic potential of coordinating event management practices, participatory planning, and sustainability policies across sectors. There is a pressing need for empirically informed frameworks and innovative strategies that bridge gaps between policy, practice, and community engagement in this domain.This Research Topic aims to advance understanding of how sport events can be strategically leveraged to maximize the benefits of urban green spaces for promoting physical activity and ecological sustainability. By focusing on the interplay between event organization, landscape design, and participatory governance, the goal is to develop and share actionable knowledge that fosters both vibrant community life and environmental stewardship within cities. Submissions are invited to present empirical studies, novel conceptual models, and critical reviews that investigate best practices, policy integration, and community engagement strategies at the nexus of sport, nature, and urban sustainability.To gather further insights in the relationship between sport events, green spaces, and sustainable urban development, this Research Topic invites contributions addressing a range of relevant questions and issues, without limiting the research to one specific methodology, geographic setting, or population group. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Design and use of green spaces for promoting sport and daily physical activity• Sustainable and inclusive management of sport events in urban natural settings• Community participation and empowerment in green sport initiatives• Integration of urban policy for event-led green space development• Metrics and frameworks for assessing ecological, social, and health impacts of green sport events• Best practices for cross-sector collaboration among city planners, event organizers, and local communities• Accessible urban spaces for people with a disability. Topic editors: Ji Wu, Yang Xu, Hewu LV Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76196/integrating-sport-events-and-green-spaces-for-sustainable-and-active-urban-living