On 13 December 2018 the European projects ENABLE, NATURVATION and Greenlulus organised a half day international symposium to share insights how urban greenery can be planned and deployed strategically to create an inclusive urban society and foster health benefits.

The symposium was an official side event of the 11th International Forum on Urbanism in ICLEI Member city, Barcelona (Spain). It also included an afternoon workshop in which actors from the City of Barcelona and the region of Catalonia discussed how an equal access to nature can be guaranteed in communities.

Moderated by ICLEI, experts and practitioners from Barcelona City Council, IS Global, Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB), the Barcelona Lab for Urban Environmental Justice and Sustainability (BCNUEJ), Autonomous University of Barcelona, SomNatura, Xarxa de Custòdia del Territori (XCT), ENT Environment and Management, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), New York New School and Stockholm Resilience Centre presented research insights from working with local governments, provided recommendations and raised questions, which still need to be answered to create more just and equitable urban green and blue spaces.

Cities like Barcelona have been working on strengthening the social dimension of greening public spaces. As such, Barcelona is transforming its green planning methods to apply the concept of green infrastructure better, creating it with more participation and co-responsibility for a more ecological and greener city.

Moreover, all agreed that cities need to be strategic in their planning to prevent the socio-spatial exclusion of the most socially vulnerable residents, their livelihoods and practices. Still, if done well – which is the case already in Barcelona and other European cities – green and blue infrastructure can greatly benefit the health and well-being of citizens. Health outcomes range from better mental health, better mood and healthier blood pressure levels to lower cardiovascular mortality rates.

The international symposium addressed often controversial issues and offered opportunities to receive more locally specific insights into green and blue infrastructure, which foster social inclusion and make use of its potential to make a city more resilient.

For more information and to learn more about the international symposium including a report highlighting key messages, click here.