BlueHealth Environmental Assessment Tool (BEAT)

Tools to incorporate the health perspective in municipal actions

European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter & partners
2020

Link to the resource: https://bluehealth2020.eu/projects/beat/

Format:: Web application

Target population:: General population

Objetive:: Assess the social, physical or ecological characteristics of blue spaces to improve understanding of factors that can maximise health and well-being benefits.

Methodology:

Using an online questionnaire format, this tool examines different dimensions of blue space, using both qualitative and quantitative data based on the information entered by the user.

To improve usability, two versions of the tool have been created: one for technicians and professionals in landscape, urban planning and environmental management; and another for community groups in general.

It allows easy evaluation of a blue space: in its current state, a proposed project for the space, pre- and post-intervention conditions or a change in its design.

At the end of the questionnaire, a downloadable results report is generated, with a visual summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the space in terms of its potential to benefit people’s health and well-being.

Opportunities and limitations:

The tool is applicable to different types of blue spaces, both pre- and post-intervention, and offers the possibility of evaluating an existing space or one (or several) projects to compare their results.

However, it is not intended to compare blue spaces with each other and may not fit all the types for which it is intended. It is a reflection tool; it does not provide quantitative results.

While the tool for professionals involves analysis of variables such as air and water quality or the socioeconomic data of the local population, the tool aimed at citizens in general focuses on the usability and social perception of these spaces.

It is also a useful resource from the educational perspective or to collect evidence for school or research projects.

Indicators:

Presence and functionality of lighting.
Maintenance of the place (vegetation, furniture, garbage).
Visual conditions (views, amplitude, etc.).
Access to water.
Recreational elements linked to water.
Connectivity with the cycling network.

Thematic:: Public space Green infrastructure Equipment and services

Link to health:: Physical Mental

Scale of the field of study:: Housing / street / building / bounded public space Block - set of buildings or spaces

Implementation phase:: Diagnosis / pre-project Monitoring and evaluation

Methodological approach:: Questionnaire

Your privacy is our priority

To protect your privacy, before continuing we want to make sure that you know that, both we and our collaborators, use some “cookies” on the website to facilitate its use:

Own and third party for statistical purposes, with which no user information is collected nor access IP addresses are recorded.
Our own and third parties to guarantee basic functioning, such as the user session, and personalization aspects, such as the language of our pages.
We save the acceptance of cookies for 30 days to improve the browsing experience. Remember that you can delete cookies from your browser at any time.
From third parties to show you information from our social networks, such as Facebook, X, YouTube, etc. By accessing these websites you can decide whether or not you accept their privacy and cookie policies.

More information

BlueHealth Environmental Assessment Tool (BEAT)

Your privacy is our priority

Menú de l'espai