Time period
Protegim les escoles- Lets Protect Schools (Barcelona)
- Spain Barcelona
Summary
The Protegim les Escoles (Protect Schools) programme in Barcelona is a city wide strategy aimed at enhancing the comfort, safety, visibility, and environmental quality of school surroundings. Launched in 2020 by the Municipality of Barcelona, it forms part of a broader effort to prioritise child friendly urban environments.
The initiative follows a participatory co design process, structured in phases that involve identifying needs with school communities, developing child centred proposals, and refining designs through iterative feedback. Interventions include expanded pedestrian areas, improved public space amenities, added greenery, and traffic calming measures.
Impact evaluations carried out with the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA UAB) show significant reductions in motorised traffic (up to 80–90%), alongside improvements in air quality. Public spaces have seen increased use for play and social interaction—particularly among children and girls—while perceptions of safety, wellbeing, and community trust have risen consistently.
Key aspects
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Reclaiming school streets as shared public space
Transforms school surroundings into safer environments that support play, movement, and everyday social life. -
Enabling autonomy and safe mobility
Traffic calming improves conditions for independent travel of children and youth, while benefiting all users. -
Participatory co design with communities
Engages students, families, and local actors to shape spaces based on everyday needs. -
Improving urban quality and public life
Enhances comfort, environmental conditions, and social interaction, encouraging broader use of public space.