Citizen science and social innovation as citizen empowerment tools to address urban health challenges: The case of the urban health citizen laboratory in Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

Urban health faces significant challenges due to the rapid growth of cities and the concentration of population in urban settings that have a strong impact on people's health. The approach to characterize and address these challenges requires increased societal involvement and interdisciplinary solutions to ensure their effectiveness and democratic nature. With this purpose, it is necessary to explore methodologies for citizen participation that foster a critical understanding of the environment and promote their active role in generating scientific knowledge and change. This article describes the creation of a collaborative space for experimentation and learning that, through the intersection of citizen science and social innovation, aims to engage citizens in the research and diagnosis of their local environment, as well as in the design and implementation of local solutions, while raising awareness about the main challenges to urban health. Through a collaborative and participatory framework, the community identified relevant challenges to urban health they wanted to investigate, co-designed and developed the methodology for data collection and analysis, and ultimately, they devised, designed, and implemented innovative solutions based on the scientific evidence obtained. The framework and results of this project hold potential interest for the scientific community, facilities, institutions, and society by offering an innovative and participatory approach to addressing the present and future urban health challenges.

Fig 1. LAB CSU methodological framework.

The methodological framework consists of a first phase of participatory diagnosis, a second phase of citizen science (which includes the design of the hypothesis and research question, data collection, and data analysis), and a third phase of social innovation (which encompasses the design and prototyping of ideas and communication).

Fig 2. The process and results of participatory diagnosis.

Two participants discussing in front of the Participatory Canvas to reflect on the impact of urban planning on people (A), compilation of the ideas reflected by all participants during the session (translated from the original Spanish version) (B), and a compilation of relevant places of interest in the neighborhood proposed by participants in relation to urban planning and (translated from the original Spanish version).

Fig 3. Results of air quality and noise in the Trinitat Vella neighborhood.

Ambient NO₂ concentration in μg/m³ during the exposure period at different points in the neighborhood, represented with a color range according to concentration (see legend in the figure) (A), PM 2.5 particulate matter concentration (y-axis) at three different locations in the neighborhood (see figure legend) over the exposure period (x-axis) (B), and detected noise levels (dBA) (y-axis) at three different locations in the neighborhood (see identification in each graph) over the exposure period (x-axis) during both day and night (C).

Fig 4. The process and results of social innovation.

Image of a participant jotting down ideas on the Work Organization Canvas (A), the Urban Signaling Kit (B), and the Environmental Suitcase (C).