Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39962528›Full record

Observational studyBMC public health2025

Environmental and health effects of the Barcelona superblocks.

Katherine Pérez, Laia Palència, Maria José López, Brenda Biaani León-Gómez, Anna Puig-Ribera, Anna Gómez-Gutiérrez, Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, Glòria Carrasco-Turigas, Carme Borrell

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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  4. Children's perspectives regarding physical activity enablers and barriers in Abu Dhabi.International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being · 2025
    Article
  5. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Katherine PérezAgència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Plaça Lesseps 1, 08023, Barcelona, Spain.
Laia PalènciaAgència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Plaça Lesseps 1, 08023, Barcelona, Spain.
Maria José LópezAgència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Plaça Lesseps 1, 08023, Barcelona, Spain.
Brenda Biaani León-GómezUnitat de Suport a La Recerca (USR) Metropolitana Nord, Mataró, Spain.
Anna Puig-RiberaSport and Physical Activity Research Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Life Sciences and Health in Central Catalonia, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Vic, Spain.
Anna Gómez-GutiérrezAgència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Plaça Lesseps 1, 08023, Barcelona, Spain.
Mark NieuwenhuijsenISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain.
Glòria Carrasco-TurigasCIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
Carme BorrellAgència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Plaça Lesseps 1, 08023, Barcelona, Spain. cborrell@aspb.cat.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe superblocks model of Barcelona (Spain) seeks to reorganize the city based on reversing the distribution of public space between vehicles and people by prioritizing citizens, thus improving their environmental conditions and quality of life. The objective of this paper was to describe the effects on environmental, health and quality of life of the first three superblocks implemented, discuss the lessons learned, and provide recommendations for the future.

methodsThe evaluation included different approaches depending on the superblock analyzed: A pre-post-intervention health survey, environmental measures of air quality, the Microscale Audit of Urban Landscapes for Pedestrians (MAPS), an observational study on target areas of physical activity (SOPARC), ethnographic guerrilla studies, and focus groups.

resultsResidents and workers in all three of the evaluated superblocks reported a perceived improvement in well-being, tranquillity and quality of sleep, some reduction in noise and pollution and an increase in social interaction. The built environment of the superblocks clearly influenced walkability, and the lower car traffic volume improved air quality measures. In one of the superblocks, the same intervention calmed traffic in one of the areas but not in another.

conclusionsAlthough on a small scale, this evaluation of the environmental, and health effects of the superblocks provides support for expanding the model to other areas of the city.

Indexed as

Built EnvironmentEnvironment DesignAdultAir PollutionCitiesFemaleFocus GroupsHealth SurveysHumansMaleMiddle AgedQuality of LifeSpainCity planningHealth determinantsHealth in all policiesProgram evaluationQuality of life

Identifiers

PMID39962528
PMCPMC11831821

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.