Meeting between SHAPE-Med@Lyon, the City of Lyon’s Health Department, and health stakeholders in Barcelona
A meeting with stakeholders from the Catalan public health ecosystem at Barcelona City Hall
During a visit characterized by dialogue and openness, the SHAPE-Med@Lyon project team, accompanied by a delegation from the Ville de Lyon, had the opportunity to hold several pivotal meetings in Barcelona. The trip proved particularly enriching, thanks to exchanges with key stakeholders in public health, the urban environment, and international research.
One of the highlights of this mission was the warm welcome extended by the City of Barcelona. The official responsible for health, along with representatives from the health department, shared their experience and vision regarding the integration of health issues into local policies. The meeting also provided insight into the pivotal role played by theAgència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), which acts as a key link between local authorities and research activities conducted—notably—in collaboration with ISGlobal.
Between scientific research and concrete urban policies
The delegation from Lyon was thus able to explore iconic projects in Barcelona—a city renowned for its innovation in public space management, efforts to combat urban heat islands, and the promotion of sustainable mobility. These initiatives, which combine scientific research with concrete urban policies, directly inform the work of the SHAPE-Med@Lyon project steering team, one of whose key research areas focuses on the links between health and territory.
Inspiring meetings and exchanges with numerous stakeholders from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)
Another highlight of the visit was the tour of the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a world-leading institution dedicated to designing and developing health research programs with global impact. Discussions provided an opportunity to explore their numerous initiatives, particularly in the fields of urban planning, the environment, and public health. This inspiring approach directly mirrors the initiatives underway in Lyon—such as the City of Lyon’s Local Health Contract and the European URBACT project—in which the SHAPE-Med@Lyon team is involved.
The SHAPE-Med@Lyon team and the delegation from the City of Lyon’s Health Department had the opportunity to meet several key figures from the Institute for Global Health, such as Denise Naniche (Scientific Director), Gonzalo Vicente Lacambra (Director General), Nuria Casamitjana (Director of Training), and Marta Pahissa Espluga (Director of the Planetary Health Development Centre). These rich and inspiring exchanges open up new avenues for international collaboration.
This trip would not have been possible without the invaluable efforts of Aurélie Portefaix and Sara Stanulović; their commitment helped create the conditions for a deep and constructive dialogue, paving the way for new international collaborations centered on global health issues.
This immersion into Barcelona’s initiatives highlights the vital importance of cooperation—between cities, and among researchers and public stakeholders—in addressing contemporary challenges related to environmental and urban health. It serves as a powerful source of inspiration for SHAPE-Med@Lyon and the City of Lyon, which is ready to continue exploring these ideas, build environments that increasingly foster health, and unlock exciting opportunities for collaboration between the two cities.