There’s a few weeks left to vote for the Philips Livable Cities Award, a global initiative launched in May 2010 designed to “generate practical, achievable ideas for improving the health and well-being of people living in cities.”

Philips asked individuals and community or non-governmental organizations and businesses to submit their ideas for simple solutions to improve people’s health and well-being in a city with a focus on independent living for the elderly, well-being in the outdoors, public spaces that help create a sense of belonging and initiatives that encourage healthy lifestyles.

From more than 450 entries from 29 countries, an international panel of judges created a shortlist of eight ideas that will compete for the Philips Livable Cities Award:

• A rainwater aggregation scheme in Yemen
• A design-your-own-park scheme to transform blighted spaces in Binghamton, NY
• Health education initiative for deaf children in Kenya
• A street park project in Argentina that would temporarily close Buenos Aires’ streets  to traffic and convert the spaces to portable playground equipment and benches
• A neighborhood network scheme in Nigeria to improve access to welfare services
• Shade stands in Uganda for weather protection and education
• A smart grid athletic light in the USA to keep athletic centers open longer for a fitter population
• Helping elderly people access digital tools, making it easier to remain independent

The award ceremony will occur in Amsterdam in April. An overall winner and two runners-up will receive grants to help make their ideas a reality. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite by March 24!