Diputació de Barcelona
Entorn urbà i salut
 
Tools to incorporate the health perspective in municipal actions
 

Public Life Toolkit

Gehl Institute
2016

Link to the resource: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiC24WEn8CAAxWcgf0HHXkBBnAQFnoECB4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcanvas.disabroad.org%2Fcourses%2F1038%2Ffiles%2F191819%2Fdownload%3Fverifier%3Dewy9I0ixnGbgsI85zs4A7UWYlXJcWzy3jinR4o6H%26wrap%3D1&usg=AOvVaw2SEIakqTaM9RaYjtDMxx9I&opi=89978449

Format:
Guide
Target population:
General population
Objetive:

Provide a variety of tools for carrying out studies in public space, and a series of basic criteria for the design of such studies.

Methodology:

It includes a series of steps for the design of studies in public space focused on their use, vitality, etc. These steps are:

  1. propose a research question,
  2. determine the scale of the study,
  3. choose the most appropriate tool (or combination of tools),
  4. plan the development of the study,
  5. train the people involved (e.g. volunteers),
  6. conduct the study,
  7. analyse the data that are collected.
Opportunities and limitations:

This set of tools seeks to observe, measure and value certain aspects of public life to better understand the use made of it and the dynamics that occur or to identify changes that could provide benefits from various points of view (mainly the social perspective).

The tools also measure public life to better understand the impact of certain projects (e.g. the construction of a new playground or the organisation of a series of concerts).

Indicators:
Number of people who cross the study space on foot.
Number of people running through the study space.
Number of people who cross the study space by bicycle.
Number of people who cross the study space assisted (e.g. in a wheelchair).
Percentage of total land area allocated to green and public open spaces.
Number of social interactions that occur in the study area/day.
Number of differentiated areas within the space, destined to different activities.
Percentage of people who feel they belong in the neighbourhood/community.
Type and level of social participation in the community.
Level of visibility during the day and at night.
Thematic:
Public space Green infrastructure Mobility and accessibility Equipment and services Cohesion and social capital
Link to health:
Physical Social
Scale of the field of study:
Housing / street / building / bounded public space Block - set of buildings or spaces Neighbourhood (or higher)
Implementation phase:
Diagnosis / pre-project Monitoring and evaluation Implementation
Methodological approach:
Observation Qualitative / Participatory Questionnaire