Fuenlabrada pioneer city Placemaking for Physical Activity in Spain

In 2021 pilot projects were planned and developed in the same countries in order to be able to adjust the guidelines, tools and methodologies. In Spain, the first of the interventions has been developed in the city of Fuenlabrada.

Fuenlabrada, a municipality that was European City of Sport in 2019 and is currently bidding to become European Youth Capital. In this city, two initial stakeholders were identified: A secondary school included at the regional program of promoting physical activity and sport schools, the “IES Carpe Diem”, and a strong association of students very interested in the development of social projects, the Phoenix Association. Both organizations, together with the Municipality, have been excellent local partners for the development of the project in Spain and have provided a very interesting experience using the tool and submitting it to a “stress test” that gave excellent results.

The placemaking interventions for physical activity were carried out in the Loranca Park in Fuenlabrada, where an initial visit was made to assess the situation and potentiality of the space and, also, interview users and citizens visiting it. From that moment on, a first report and an initial intervention plan document were drawn up to test the new PARK methodology.

The experience developed has now been presented at the European Placemaking Congress (Pontevedra, 27-29 September) and will also be presented at the European Week of the Regions (11 October) but this is not the end of the placemaking process initiated in Fuenlabrada. From October onwards, the results of this project will be presented to the associations and the society of Fuenlabrada and a group of young placemaking agents will be formed to generate and guide projects in this city in order to also advise other cities and organisations interested in promoting physical activity through urban community transformation.

Now that PARK has arrived to Fuenlabrada, the city has the option of becoming a driving force for placemaking in Spain and also at European level, having found important keys for the sustainable development of this initiative through the young placemakers.

Placemaking for Physical Activity Toolbox is the project initiated by BG Be Active. The overall aim of the project is to link placemakers (grassroots urban designers) and grassroots sports organisations and professionals, and as a result create a common solution package that will support and enhance the capacities of both sectors and result in better programmes and places that facilitate physical activity in urbanised areas.

This project, led by BG Be Active, is funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.