Client: Ajuntament de Barcelona, Fundació La Caixa
Location: L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
Year: 2023 – 2025
Involved partners: Instituto Catalán de Oncología-IDIBELL, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud Blanquerna (URL), Healthy Cities
Sedentary behaviour is a common and growing phenomenon worldwide, especially in developed countries, reaching the point of being considered the pandemic of the 21st century. In special populations such as individuals with chronic illnesses or the elderly, sedentary behaviour is even more prevalent, also being one of the main causes of disease progression, exacerbations, and increased use of healthcare resources. The urban environment shapes our lifestyles, mobility, social interactions, the air we breathe, and even our mood. These aspects are particularly relevant among people with chronic conditions, who engage in much lower levels of physical activity than the rest of the population.
The +Actiu project aims to analyse, adapt, and design a new model of cities with healthier and more active urban environments. To achieve this, a co-creation methodology will be developed, incorporating the perspective of citizens to facilitate physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour. An interdisciplinary team comprising health professionals, urban planners, citizens, individuals with chronic illnesses, and the online Healthy Cities Generator health impact assessment tool will be applied in this participatory process. With a direct focus on community health in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area, the intervention will pilot in the L’Hospitalet del Llobregat area, specifically near Av. Cataluña, close to 6 primary care centres in Hospitalet. Through co-creation, +Actiu will generate a new strategy for healthier and more active urban planning, with low environmental impact and a gender perspective, improving community health.
