06 March 2025
Bilbao Campus
In recent years, the growth of the population living in urban areas has been exponential, a trend that continues to rise. That is why improving our cities has a remarkable importance in improving the general and emotional well-being of the people who live in them. Within this framework, Bilbao Metropoli 30 has prepared a report to identify the places that, according to citizens, generate a positive impact on people's emotional wellbeing, and then analyze what common elements these spaces have and make recommendations that contribute to incorporating emotional wellbeing and mental health as part of urban planning.
The data from this study were presented at an event held on March 6 at the University of Deusto and inaugurated by the mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, and the rector of the University of Deusto, Juan José Etxeberria, who pointed out that cities influence the wellbeing and well-being of their inhabitants through environmental balance, economic development and social cohesion. Guaranteeing basic resources, decent employment and social equity is key, in his opinion, for a healthy urban life and hence “democratic governance and citizen participation are essential to build sustainable cities that care for those who inhabit them,” he said.
After the institutional opening, the results of the research were presented and two discussion tables were set up in which, in a practical way, concrete experiences of municipal and social urban projects linked to the well-being and emotional health of citizens were presented. As explained by its general director, Idoia Postigo, the study is part of a reflection process aimed at designing transformative projects for Bilbao and its metropolitan area, which is the main mission of Bilbao Metropoli 30.
Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda (SDGs), through SDG 11 'Sustainable Cities and Communities' and SDG 3 'Health and Well-being', the work evaluates the impact of infrastructure and urban development on the emotional well-being of citizens, in order to define strategic lines of action to improve the urban habitat.
This urban psychology initiative in which Bilbao Metropoli 30 has been working since 2020, has, in addition to the collaboration of the EDE Foundation; with the involvement of the University of Deusto, EHU/UPV, Mondragon Unibertsitatea, UNED Bizkaia and the College of Psychology of Bizkaia.
Among the results of this study, the identification of metropolitan spaces that favor rest and tranquility; those that are considered adequate for socializing and meeting other people and those that represent the motivation and future of our metropolis stand out. Natural spaces; urban spaces such as parks, squares and promenades and cultural spaces, along with our streets and neighborhoods are the spaces most identified. The estuary emerges strongly in the collective imagination and next to it are identified Zorrotzaurre, Artxanda, Pagasarri, Punta Galea, the Guggenheim Museum, Azkuna Zentroa and BEC.
All these spaces have been chosen and identified for a series of attributes that the people surveyed have valued as essential, among which are being inclusive and diverse places, with identity, accessible, visually attractive, safe, offering stimuli, having an innovative character and incorporating nature and green spaces. The study shows a high degree of satisfaction with the experience of living in the metropolis and its municipalities. Eight out of ten people like living where they do, and almost 50% of those surveyed give it a rating of 9/10.
More information and acces to the full study.
