Following on from the Habitat III Thematic Meeting on Public Space in Barcelona on 4 and 5 April, the Barcelona Declaration has been finalised and is now available online. 

Health is mentioned multiple times throughout the document, as relating to public space, recreation, housing and mobility. In particular, the document notes the importance of non-motorised transport, i.e. ‘active transport’ such as walking and cycling, which were regrettably omitted from target 11.2 of the SDGs on sustainable modes of transport. 

Walking and cycling are associated with minimal emissions, improving human health both through reducing air pollution and promoting physical activity.