Description
Open data has great potential to transform the way we interact with our cities. As they are available to all citizens, they allow the development of applications and tools that respond to urban challenges such as accessibility, road safety or citizen participation. Facilitating access to this information not only drives innovation, but also contributes to improving the quality of life in urban environments.
This potential becomes even more relevant if we consider the current context. Accelerated urban growth has brought with it new challenges, especially in the area of public health. According to data from the United Nations, it is estimated that by 2050 more than 68% of the world's population will live in cities. Therefore, the design of healthy urban environments is a priority in which open data is consolidated as a key tool: it allows planning more resilient, inclusive and sustainable cities, putting people's well-being at the center of decisions. In this post, we tell you what healthy urban environments are and how open data can help build and maintain them.
What are Healthy Urban Environments? Uses and examples
Healthy urban environments go beyond simply the absence of pollution or noise. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these spaces must actively promote healthy lifestyles, facilitate physical activity, encourage social interaction, and ensure equitable access to basic services. As established in the Ministry of Health's "Guide to Planning Healthy Cities", these environments are characterized by three key elements:
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Cities designed for walking: they must be spaces that prioritize pedestrian and cycling mobility, with safe, accessible and comfortable streets that invite active movement.
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Incorporation of nature: they integrate green areas, blue infrastructure and natural elements that improve air quality, regulate urban temperature and offer spaces for recreation and rest.
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Meeting and coexistence spaces: they have areas that facilitate social interaction, reduce isolation and strengthen the community fabric.
The role of open data in healthy urban environments
In this scenario, open data acts as the nervous system of smart cities, providing valuable information on usage patterns, citizen needs, and public policy effectiveness. Specifically, in the field of healthy urban spaces, data from:
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Analysis of physical activity patterns: data on mobility, use of sports facilities and frequentation of green spaces reveal where and when citizens are most active, identifying opportunities to optimize existing infrastructure.
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Environmental quality monitoring: urban sensors that measure air quality, noise levels, and temperature provide real-time information on the health conditions of different urban areas.
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Accessibility assessment: public transport, pedestrian infrastructure and service distribution allow for the identification of barriers to access and the design of more inclusive solutions.
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Informed citizen participation: open data platforms facilitate participatory processes where citizens can contribute local information and collaborate in decision-making.
The Spanish open data ecosystem has solid platforms that feed healthy urban space projects. For example, the Madrid City Council's Open Data Portal offers real-time information on air quality as well as a complete inventory of green areas. Barcelona also publishes data on air quality, including the locations and characteristics of measuring stations.
These portals not only store information, but structure it in a way that developers, researchers and citizens can create innovative applications and services.
Use Cases: Applications That Reuse Open Data
Several projects demonstrate how open data translates into tangible improvements for urban health. On the one hand, we can highlight some applications or digital tools such as:
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AQI Air Quality Index: uses government data to provide real-time information on air quality in different Spanish cities.
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GV Aire: processes official air quality data to generate citizen alerts and recommendations.
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National Air Quality Index: centralizes information from measurement stations throughout the country.
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Valencia Verde: uses municipal data to show the location and characteristics of parks and gardens in Valencia.
On the other hand, there are initiatives that combine multisectoral open data to offer solutions that improve the interaction between cities and citizens. For example:
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Supermanzanas Program: uses maps showing air quality pollution levels and traffic data available in open formats such as CSV and GeoPackage from Barcelona Open Data and Barcelona City Council to identify streets where reducing road traffic can maximize health benefits, creating safe spaces for pedestrians and cyclists.
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The DataActive platform: seeks to establish an international infrastructure in which researchers, public and private sports entities participate. The topics it addresses include land management, urban planning, sustainability, mobility, air quality and environmental justice. It aims to promote more active, healthy and accessible urban environments through the implementation of strategies based on open data and research.
Data availability is complemented by advanced visualization tools. The Madrid Spatial Data Infrastructure (IDEM) offers geographic viewers specialized in air quality and the National Geographic Institute (IGN) offers the national street map CartoCiudad with information on all cities in Spain.
Effective governance and innovation ecosystem
However, the effectiveness of these initiatives depends on new governance models that integrate multiple actors. To achieve proper coordination between public administrations at different levels, private companies, third sector organizations and citizens, it is essential to have quality open data.
Open data not only powers specific applications but creates an entire ecosystem of innovation. Independent developers, startups, research centers, and citizen organizations use this data to:
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Develop urban health impact studies.
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Create participatory planning tools.
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Generate early warnings about environmental risks.
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Evaluate the effectiveness of public policies.
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Design personalized services according to the needs of different population groups.
Healthy urban spaces projects based on open data generate multiple tangible benefits:
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Efficiency in public management: data makes it possible to optimize the allocation of resources, prioritize interventions and evaluate their real impact on citizen health.
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Innovation and economic development: the open data ecosystem stimulates the creation of innovative startups and services that improve the quality of urban life, as demonstrated by the multiple applications available in datos.gob.es.
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Transparency and participation: the availability of data facilitates citizen control and strengthens democratic decision-making processes.
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Scientific evidence: Urban health data contributes to the development of evidence-based public policies and the advancement of scientific knowledge.
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Replicability: successful solutions can be adapted and replicated in other cities, accelerating the transformation towards healthier urban environments.
In short, the future of our cities depends on our ability to integrate technology, citizen participation and innovative public policies. The examples analyzed demonstrate that open data is not just information; They are the foundation for building urban environments that actively promote health, equity, and sustainability.
