New York City officials are tackling obesity in the city by setting up the first ever Centre for Active Design, as well as announcing new legislation that will change the way new buildings and renovations are designed.

Active Design was recently set up to combat architects' tendency to value convenience over health, often leading to a lazier lifestyle.

The centre, which is a non-profit organisation, aims to promote changes to the built environment to fight obesity and related chronic diseases. New York City mayor, Michael Bloomberg, also announced an executive order requiring all city agencies to use active design strategies, such as making stairways more visible and creating streetscapes for both pedestrians and cyclists - when undertaking any future construction work or renovation projects.

The new organisation will adhere to four key concepts. These concepts include encouraging greater physical movement for users within buildings, supporting a safe and vibrant environment for pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders, improving access to nutritious foods in communities that need them the most and shaping play and activity spaces for people of different ages, interests and abilities.