A few more cities recently joined the worldwide global health campaign, 1000 Cities 1000 Lives, which we wrote about previously here. The campaign, sponsored by the World Health Organization, was launched with the goal to get 1,000 cities around the world to commit to closing off portions of their streets to traffic during the week of April 7-11 for healthy activities, like biking and walking, to improve public health and community interaction.

The campaign now includes the participation of Santiago, Chile and Guadalajara, Mexico.

In Santiago, a network of streets is closed to motorized traffic every Sunday morning, allowing people to walk, rollerskate, bike and exercise in a healthy and safe setting. Known as CicloRecreoVia, the city initiative aims to encompass 130 kilometers of streets and attract 400,000 people each week. Currently the CicloRecreoVía only takes place in the community of La Reina, but in the next four months it will be extended to La Florida, Lo Prado, Providencia and Santiago.

Similarly, Guadalajara – the second largest city in Mexico – has been closing off its streets every Sunday since 2004, during an event known as RecreActiva. Public spaces are transformed into places for workshops, dance classes and other recreational and sports activities. By March 2009, the event had registered 189,000 participants. Other cities and towns are following suit with their own Sunday street closings.

To register your city for a 1000 Cities 1000 Lives event, click here.