The Philips Livable Cities Award is a global initiative designed to generate practical, achievable ideas for improving the health and well-being of people living in cities. Submissions for the Philips Livable Cities Award show the passion, imagination and vision that people across the world share for making their cities more livable. The finalists ideas featured were selected from more than 450 ideas received from 29 countries across the world. Courtesy of Philips / YouTube

Amsterdam, The Netherlands - April 28, 2011

Innovative thinkers from across the globe awarded grants to address significant challenges faced by city living

Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) has today announced the winners of the Philips Livable Cities Award, a global initiative designed to generate innovative, meaningful and achievable ideas to improve the health and well-being of city-dwellers across the world.

Individuals and community or non-governmental organizations and businesses were asked to submit their ideas for “simple solutions” that improve people’s health and well-being in a city. Courtesy of Philips / YouTube

The overall winner of the Award, announced at a gala ceremony held at the world famous Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, was named as Sabrina Faber from Sana’a, Yemen, for her idea ‘Rainwater Aggregation in Sana’a’.

Celebrating diverse and innovative ideas. The Philips Livable Cities Award is a global initiative designed to generate practical, achievable ideas for improving the health and well-being of people living in cities. Courtesy of Philips / YouTube

Sabrina’s idea was praised by the supervisory panel for its unique approach to modifying existing structures in Sana’a to capture, filter and store rooftop rainwater.

Sabrina Faber receives the Philips Livable Cities Award from Harry Hendriks, CEO Philips Benelux (L), and from Richard Florida, Chair of the award's Supervisory Panel (R). Courtesy of Philips

Through her scheme, Sabrina hopes to help solve the water shortages commonly experienced in the city during dry spells, whilst providing clean drinking water.

Bringing significant health benefits to the city's population. In Sana'a, Yemen, water can quickly become scarce, posing a risk to vulnerable city residents. Sabrina Faber's short listed idea of 'Rainwater Aggregation' addresses this problem by using existing flat rooftops to capture, filter and store water during rainy periods. Courtesy of Philips / YouTube

This could potentially result in significant health benefits for the whole population.

Bringing significant health benefits to the city's population. In Sana'a, Yemen, water can quickly become scarce, posing a risk to vulnerable city residents. Sabrina Faber's short listed idea of 'Rainwater Aggregation' addresses this problem by using existing flat rooftops to capture, filter and store water during rainy periods. Courtesy of Philips / YouTube

Sabrina will receive a €75,000 grant from Philips to enable her to realize her vision.

Bringing significant health benefits to the city's population. In Sana'a, Yemen, water can quickly become scarce, posing a risk to vulnerable city residents. Sabrina Faber's short listed idea of 'Rainwater Aggregation' addresses this problem by using existing flat rooftops to capture, filter and store water during rainy periods. Courtesy of Philips / YouTube

Richard Florida, Professor, Author and Chair of the Philips Livable Cities Award supervisory panel, commented:
“What really impressed us with Sabrina’s scheme was the proposed execution of a relatively simple concept that will have such a significant impact on the lives of so many people across the city of Sana’a. We’re looking forward to seeing her idea come to life and improving the health and well-being of the residents of Sana’a.”

Richard Florida, Professor, Author and Chair of the Philips Livable Cities Award Supervisory Panel. Courtesy of Philips / YouTube

Two additional winners will each receive €25,000 for their practical, implementable ideas.

Runner-up of the Livable Cities Award Manuel Rapoport with Harry Hendriks and Richard Florida. Courtesy of Philips

Manuel Rapoport, from Buenos Aires, Argentina was recognized for his ‘Plaza Movil Street Park’ idea.

Creating recreational spaces for local communities to relax, play, meet and chat. Manuel Rapoport's 'Plaza Movil Street Park' idea would see Buenos Aires' streets temporarily closed to traffic during weekends and public holidays, and portable playground equipment and benches used to convert them into recreational spaces. Courtesy of Philips / YouTube

This would see Buenos Aires’ streets temporarily closed to traffic during weekends and public holidays and portable playground equipment and benches used to convert them into recreational spaces for people of all ages.

Creating recreational spaces for local communities to relax, play, meet and chat. Manuel Rapoport's 'Plaza Movil Street Park' idea would see Buenos Aires' streets temporarily closed to traffic during weekends and public holidays, and portable playground equipment and benches used to convert them into recreational spaces. Courtesy of Philips / YouTube

James Kityo of Kampala, Uganda, will use his grant to develop his Shade Stands project.

Runner-up of the Livable Cities Award James Kityo with Harry Hendriks and Richard Florida. Courtesy of Philips

Waiting for transport under hot sun, or in torrential rain with no shelter is a situation that the people of Kampala know only too well.

Providing shelter and education for those most at need. James Kityo's idea involves creating 45 'Shade Stands' across Uganda's capital, Kampala, providing shelter against both the hot sun and torrential rain, and displaying posters about health education topics. Courtesy of Philips / YouTube

The Shade Stands will provide vital protection in particular for nursing mothers and babies, and the elderly.

Providing shelter and education for those most at need. James Kityo's idea involves creating 45 'Shade Stands' across Uganda's capital, Kampala, providing shelter against both the hot sun and torrential rain, and displaying posters about health education topics. Courtesy of Philips / YouTube

Other finalists come from Argentina, Kenya, Nigeria, the UK and the USA, representing a truly global picture of the solutions offered to city-dwellers across the world.
All eight finalists and their ideas for providing unique and original solutions were showcased and celebrated at the Award ceremony in Amsterdam.

The event was attended by leading experts, dignitaries, and government officials from the Benelux region.

Katy Hartley, Director of the Philips Center for Health & Well-being and member of the Philips Livable Cities Award supervisory panel. Courtesy of Philips / YouTube

“We recognize the tremendous effort invested by both the winners of the Philips Livable Cities Award and the other finalists in developing their submissions. Philips is proud to be associated with the imagination and vision they have all displayed and offer our congratulations and thanks in the 2010-2011 Award’s first year,” said Katy Hartley, Director of the Philips Center for Health & Well-being and member of the Philips Livable Cities Award supervisory panel.

For 2011-2012 Philips is committed to building on the program’s strengths to further recognize meaningful innovations which make a real difference to people’s lives.

The winners will work with Philips and program mentors to help realize their ideas in their local communities.


About Philips Livable Cities Award


• The Philips Livable Cities Award is a global initiative designed to encourage people to develop practical, achievable ideas for improving the health and well-being of people in cities – ideas which can be translated into reality.

• The Award was open to individuals, community groups, NGOs and businesses.

• More than 450 ideas from 29 countries were entered into the competition.

• Entries are grouped into three categories, exploring how best to improve health and well-being in our cities:

o Well-being Outdoors: Initiatives that will help make citizens feel safe and secure in public spaces, or help create city identity and foster a sense of belonging;

o Independent Living: Initiatives that will help the growing number of elderly people living alone to feel secure and comfortable in a city, and/or enable them to live longer at home with the appropriate access to healthcare;

o Healthy Lifestyle at Work and Home: Initiatives that will support a healthy body and mind, whether through a person’s surroundings or other essentials such as exercise, sleep and diet.


About Royal Philips Electronics


Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations.

As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs about 117,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries worldwide.

With sales of EUR 22.3 billion in 2010, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare.

News from Philips is located at

www.philips.com/newscenter  

Winners of the Philips Livable Cities Award Announced

Amsterdam, The Netherlands - April 28, 2011

Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) has announced the winners of the Philips Livable Cities Award, a global initiative designed to generate innovative, meaningful and achievable ideas to improve the health and well-being of city-dwellers across the world.

Livable Cities Award Finalists and Panelists. The Award ceremony was held at the world famous Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam on April 27, 2011, and was attended by leading experts, dignitaries, and government officials from the Benelux region. The winners will work with Philips and program mentors to help realize their ideas in their local communities. Courtesy of Philips

The Award ceremony was held at the world famous Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam on April 27 and was attended by leading experts, dignitaries, and government officials from the Benelux region.

The winners will work with Philips and program mentors to help realize their ideas in their local communities.


The Winners


€75,000 Grant:

‘Rainwater Aggregation in Sana’a’

• Sabrina Faber from Sana’a, Yemen

• Sabrina’s idea was praised by the supervisory panel for its unique approach to modifying existing structures in Sana’a to capture, filter and store rooftop rainwater

• Through her scheme, Sabrina hopes to help solve the water shortages commonly experienced in the city during dry spells, whilst providing clean drinking water. This could potentially result in significant health benefits for the whole population

Richard Florida, Professor and Author, gives his opinion on what it takes to make a city livable. Courtesy of Philips / YouTube

Richard Florida, Professor, Author and Chair of the Philips Livable Cities Award supervisory panel, commented:
“What really impressed us with Sabrina’s scheme was the proposed execution of a relatively simple concept that will have such a significant impact on the lives of so many people across the city of Sana’a. We’re looking forward to seeing her idea come to life and improving the health and well-being of the residents of Sana’a.”


€25,000 Grant: ‘Plaza Movil Street Park’


• Manuel Rapoport from Buenos Aires, Argentina

• This would see Buenos Aires’ streets temporarily closed to traffic during weekends and public holidays and portable playground equipment and benches used to convert them into recreational spaces for people of all ages


€25,000 Grant: ‘Shade Stands’


• James Kityo from Kampala, Uganda

• Waiting for transport under hot sun, or in torrential rain with no shelter is a situation that the people of Kampala know only too well. The Shade Stands will provide vital protection in particular for nursing mothers and babies, and the elderly


The Finalists


Other finalists come from Argentina, Kenya, Nigeria, the UK and the USA, representing a truly global picture of the solutions offered to city-dwellers across the world.

All eight finalists and their ideas for providing unique and original solutions were showcased and celebrated at the Award ceremony.

Katy Hartley, Director of The Philips Center for Health & Well-being, shares her comments on how to meet the challenges of expanding populations in cities. Courtesy of Philips / YouTube

“We recognize the tremendous effort invested by both the winners of the Philips Livable Cities Award and the other finalists in developing their submissions. Philips is proud to be associated with the imagination and vision they have all displayed and offer our congratulations and thanks in the 2010-2011 Award’s first year,” said Katy Hartley, Director of the Philips Center for Health & Well-being and member of the Philips Livable Cities Award supervisory panel.

For 2011-2012 Philips is committed to building on the program’s strengths to further recognize meaningful innovations which make a real difference to people’s lives.


For further information, please contact:

Marie-Hélène Azar
Philips Corporate Communications Officer
Tel: +31 (0)20 59 77426
Email: marie.helene.azar@philips.com  


Further Information:

More information about the winning entries and the progress of each project can be found by visiting

www.philips.com/because/livable-cities-award  

Information regarding The Philips Livable Cities Award is widely available in the social media space.

For more information and updates on the initiative, including video coverage, interviews and live updates, please use the following resources:

Social Media Release:

http://bit.ly/Philips-Livable-Cities-Award-Winners  

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/#!/LivableCities

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/livablecities  

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/philips  

LinkedIn:

www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=3159466  


Source: Royal Philips Electronics

http://www.newscenter.philips.com/main/  


Video
Philips Livable Cities Award Finalist: Rainwater Aggregation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir-2xNgb3Lc&feature  


Video
Philips Livable Cities Award Finalist: Plaza Movil Street Park

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWJxi9uA5kk&feature  


Video
Philips Livable Cities Award Finalist: Shade Stands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_4JnMCmtOU&feature  


Video
Richard Florida: How are healthy, vibrant cities created?

http://www.youtube.com/user/livablecities#p/u/2/6V5GjoDYClg  


Video
Katy Hartley: What characteristics make a city livable?

http://www.youtube.com/user/livablecities#p/u/4/0k8nna9PB_w




ASTROMAN magazine