July 18, 2025 | Ministry of Health
The Spanish Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) and with support from the Ministries of Transport and Housing, has released a new guide titled “Act and Transform! Tactical Urbanism to Improve Health in Local Environments”. This document is aimed at helping local governments implement simple, low-cost actions to create safer, more inclusive, and healthier urban spaces.
The guide is part of the Spanish Network of Healthy Cities and the Health Promotion and Prevention Strategy, and it provides practical, replicable ideas for transforming public space with a focus on collective well-being.
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The Health Ministry and FEMP publish a practical guide to improve public health through urban design
Tactical Urbanism: small changes, real impact
The guide promotes the use of tactical urbanism, which involves quick, reversible interventions such as painting sidewalk games, installing movable planters to define pedestrian areas, or pedestrianising streets near schools.
These actions allow municipalities to experiment with new uses of public space in a participatory, adaptable, and cost-effective way, producing visible improvements in the short term.
Real-world examples to inspire action
Among the highlighted initiatives is the “Protegim les escoles” program by the Barcelona City Council, which has redesigned school surroundings by removing traffic lanes, widening sidewalks, and adding benches, planters, and decorative bollards.
Other examples include parklets (play areas in repurposed parking spots), temporary bike lanes, and community murals that enhance the environment while strengthening neighbourhood identity.
Linking urban planning with public health
The guide emphasises the direct link between urban design and health, suggesting that local planning should address issues such as physical inactivity, social isolation, air pollution, and unequal access to green spaces.
It advocates for intersectoral urban planning that incorporates citizen participation from the outset, promotes equity, and prioritises community well-being.
A useful tool for cities and towns of all sizes
Targeted at municipal leaders, technical staff, urban planners, health professionals, and community organisations, the guide includes guiding principles, objectives, methodologies, and a comprehensive toolbox for planning, implementing, and evaluating tactical urbanism initiatives.
It also encourages municipalities to incorporate this type of action into their local policies in alignment with the Spanish Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).