Diputació de Barcelona
Entorn urbà i salut
 
Tools to incorporate the health perspective in municipal actions
 

Participant Survey for Social Mixing, Public Life Tools

Gehl Institute

Link to the resource: Temporalment no disponible

Format:
Guide
Target population:
General population
Objetive:

With the focus on diversity and social mixing in the public space, this tool aims to understand who uses a given public space, how or for what they use it, and the population’s perception of it.

Methodology:

In a limited study space (e.g. an imaginary square of 3x3 m), the interviewer intercepts one in three people he sees passing by who appear to be of legal age (or one in five, if the space is very crowded).

The survey consists of 21 items, with questions about the frequency and use of the space, the perception of its quality and functionality, and the profile of the respondent (e.g. age, occupation, level of education and income).

It includes aspects such as the sense of belonging or links with other users of the space.

Most questions are closed, although some are open-ended questions, for example about the perceptions or concepts that the space evokes.

Opportunities and limitations:

The tool allows relevant data to be obtained on the use of a public space and the profile of its users, to make more informed, appropriate decisions about these spaces in each context.

Although a basic questionnaire is provided, the questions must be adapted to the local context and be relevant to the study area and population.

This requires familiarisation with the place and the population before the final questionnaire is designed and the surveys conducted.

Indicators:
Number and type of shops on the ground floor in the study space.
Population density.
Number of dwellings/ha.
m2 of green space per m2 of paved surface.
Number and type of vehicles that pass through the study space per day.
Proximity (distance, m) to public transport.
Thematic:
Public space Green infrastructure Mobility and accessibility Cohesion and social capital
Link to health:
Physical Social
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