Healthy public spaces for healthy people

Guided tour to closely explore the transformation of Consell de Cent street and understand how this intervention aligns with a vision of healthy urbanism. Accompanied by experts in urban planning and urban health, the visit will present how the space looked before the renovation and what motivated the changes that were implemented, as well as the main design criteria aimed at improving people’s well-being.

During the visit, the basic principles of urban health and the tools that allow this perspective to be incorporated into the planning of public space will be explained: from improving air quality and increasing green areas to creating spaces for physical activity, enhancing road safety and improving accessibility. Participants will be able to analyse the new space in situ with the help of a simplified evaluation sheet provided by the organisers, which allows them to assess aspects such as thermal comfort, acoustic quality and the functionality of the space.

The route will also highlight specific strategies applied in this transformation: the reduction of motorised traffic, the incorporation of community meeting points, and the use of vegetation and appropriate materials to improve climatic and acoustic comfort. Attendees will be able to observe first-hand how these actions contribute to creating a more pleasant, safe and inclusive environment, reinforcing the idea that integrating health criteria into urban planning has a real impact on everyday quality of life.
The activity will conclude with a participatory discussion session in which participants will be able to share impressions, compare their assessments and reflect on the opportunities and limitations of this type of intervention, as well as the possibility of replicating them in other spaces across the city.

Guides: Xavier Matilla (architect and urban planner, Chief Architect of the City of Barcelona between 2019 and 2023) and ISGlobal researchers.