Abstract Body

Within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for a Sustainable Development and especially focusing on SGDs 3 and 11, ISGlobal and the Public Facilities and Public Space and the Public Health Services Departments of the Barcelona Provincial Council have developed a tool to integrate health perspective into municipal public space planning. The tool supports reflection, evaluation and decision making for urban planners when designing or remodeling public space interventions to promote health and well-being, as well as social and environmental benefits.

A narrative literature review of articles related to interventions in public green spaces and plazas associated with health benefits was conducted. Eligible articles were categorized into topics which were discussed with different actors and classified as health determinants associated with public space, including: environmental expositions, community, comfort and attractive, access and connectivity, security, maintenance and healthiness and uses. Determinants are defined by elements, referring to public space items or interventions associated with potential health benefits.

The tool is based on the Scotland National Health Service Place Standard Tool. It uses a questionnaire that includes different questions for each element which defines the determinants. There are three different types of questions: space classification, scoring and reflection. Scores for each element and determinant can be visualized in a spiderweb diagram. Complete results are provided in a report that offers a picture of the extent to which the evaluated space incorporates features and interventions that may benefit health and well-being. The tool also offers the possibility for a transversal evaluation through different elements that are included in more than one determinant, like green features, as well as to compare the situation of the same space at different time points.

The tool provides a framework to detect which aspects of the evaluated spaces may require further reflection or modification in order to maximise their potential benefits. This tool highlights the role of urban planning as public health interventions, and provides an example of how multi sectoral collaborations can improve public space planning and integrate health as a transversal element into other sectors.