Bristol’s George Ferguson has trumped mayors from around the world to be awarded the 2014 International Making Cities Livable (IMCL) Lewis Mumford Award for his work promoting wellness in the West Country city.

Ferguson’s prize – presented at the 51st IMCL Conference in Portland, Oregon, USA, yesterday (9 June) – is in recognition of his efforts to enhance the well-being of Bristol’s inhabitants, strengthen community, improve social and physical health, and increase civic engagement by reshaping the built environment.

Since being elected in 2012, the architect-cum-mayor has overseen £11m spending on cycle routes, investment in public transport, the spread of 20mph zones and affordable food projects.

Bristol also hit headlines through Ferguson’s role in Park & Slide, a 90m (295ft) waterslide down the main shopping avenue, which is part of the city’s Make Sundays Special programme.

“This is a city which is being innovative and doing new things to help people lead healthy, happy lives,” he said.

“Tackling health inequality and making Bristol a healthier place to live is central to my vision for the city and for our programme for European Green Capital next year. This award demonstrates the widespread impact the work of the council and its partners is already making.”

The IMCL Conferences were founded in 1985, and are held biannually in the United States and Europe. They are unique in enabling city officials, architects, planners, developers, community leaders, behavioural and public health scientists, artists and others responsible for the livability of their cities to exchange experiences, ideas and expertise.