CORDOBA
RESULTS
In the Las Palmeras neighbourhood of Córdoba, culture became transformation.
On this page you will learn about the results of the Visionary and Integrated Solutions (VIS) implemented in this pilot city during the course of the IN-HABIT project, both in aggregate and for each specific solution. But before you do so, here is a more human perspective on these results: the words of Mohammed, one of the local participants whose life was touched by INHABIT.
IN-HABIT LEGACY IN CORDOBA
This presentation, delivered by our Project Coordinator Prof. Mª del Mar Delgado Serrano, highlights the social transformation processes driven by cultural interventions and nature-based solutions in the neighbourdhood of Las Palmeras, Córdoba.
It outlines key achievements, methodologies, and lessons learned throughout the project, focusing on inclusive well-being, community participation, and the reactivation of public spaces.
OUTCOMES
• +1900 m2 of green areas created or transformed
• +300 trees planted
• A 400 m2 mural painted within the neighbourhood
• A 260m2 therapeutic garden created
• A 60m2 urban garden with produce distributed to low-income families
• New benches and paths created and regenerated.
• +90 inclusive activities
• +570 inclusive communication actions (videos, newsletters, blogs, radio programmes…)
• “Las vecinas” became leaders of change
PARTICIPATION
• +3170 vulnerable citizens involved in cultural and sport activities
• +2350 citizens involved in healthy lifestyle actions
• +125 citizens involved in environmental monitoring
IMPACT
• High agreement that the proposed VIS positively affected the 12 dimensions of Inclusive Health and Wellbeing evaluated
• Perception of “ownership” and “wellbeing” among group of “Las vecinas”.
• No vandalism of implemented urban furniture, spaces and green areas (in a vandalism-prone area)
• Increase in use of public spaces, and satisfaction with these spaces
• Increase in positive news stories about Las Palmeras neighbourhood and a more positive subjective perception of the neighbourhood.
• Significant increase in wellbeing for local participants in the project in comparison with a control group
DISCOVER THE RESULTS OF CORDOBA’S VISIONARY AND INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS
1. Weekly workshops to enhance participation and empowerment
• +50 weekly workshops to co-design, co-deploy and co-assess neighbourhood initiatives.
• +100 participants involved (including participants who participated less frequently).
• +25 entities and companies participating in the workshops.
• +15 activities linked to the 5 thematic axes developed.
• A physical space, now known as the IN-HABIT room in the parish area, established as a safe, neutral, and open space for interaction.
• Cornerstone for all subsequent community initiatives, with a profound influence on neighbourhood dynamics.
• Neutral spaces that strengthen the local social fabric and bring residents from diverse backgrounds together around shared goals.
• Fostering a strong sense of belonging within a safe, supportive environment where participants can exchange ideas, receive guidance, and promote collective well-being.
• Beacons of trust and respected catalysts for change, consistently demonstrating commitment and dedication to the neighbourhood’s ongoing transformation.
• Continuous presence and commitment of local activators in the neighbourhood breaks scepticism and opens opportunities to engagement.
• Flexible and adaptable strategies can effectively encourage population participation and sustain commitment over time.
• Early engagement of local champions and committed individuals helps ensure that activities reflect genuine community priorities and needs.
• Ensuring space for active participation and community-led development unlocks the neighbourhood potential.
• Continuous collaboration increases social inclusion, networking, common goals and sense of belonging.
• Outcomes such as the tangible and intangible VIS enhance a collective sense of identity and pride, encouraging greater turnout and contributing to the longevity of community initiatives.
• Voluntary work remains vital, proving that dedicated neighbours (despite economic or social challenges) can drive substantial changes.
• Smaller financial inputs can yield a significant impact when combined with time, dedication, and commitment to community engagement.
• Working in an area once deemed “unworkable” highlights the untapped potential of vulnerable communities, where people, if given the opportunity, have valuable ideas and actions to contribute.
2. Socio-cultural dynamisation in a vulnerable neighbourhood
• +12 Events celebrated:
3 “Cruz de Mayo” celebrations.
1 carnival celebration.
4 Women’s Day (8th of March) celebrations.
1 cultural week.
• Appropriation of degraded or previously unused spaces.
• Creation of a neighbourhood committee to make decisions.
• +300 participants in large-scale events, within a neighbourhood where normally no events ever take place (Christmas Parties, Women’s Day celebrations)
• Significant improvements in social cohesion and community engagement in terms of participation and commitment.
• Rise in collective well-being by strengthening participation, engagement, local identity and pride.
• Increased visibility of Las Palmeras by promoting more internal and external positive perception and encouraging broader participation in initiatives.
• A limited budget can create a significant impact with time, dedication and commitment.
• Flexible and adaptable formal and informal actions help to foster commitment and engagement.
• Local leader engagement attracts residents. The commitment of both ensures activities grounded in real needs and priorities.
• Collaboration between stakeholders, local associations and residents reduces friction, although it requires continuous communication to overcome bureaucratic, social, legitimacy or political barriers.
• Listening to people delivers excellent results.
• Using culture, local heritage, and communal spaces reinforces a sense of identity and pride, encourages participation and bolsters sustainability.
• Voluntary work multiplies possibilities of intervention.
3. Healthy habits and healthy lifestyle activities
• +10 healthy eating workshops with affordable, seasonal recipes, including menu planning, label reading, and food waste reduction.
• 16 sessions on mental health, self-esteem and perceived health.
• 8 inclusive community sports actions.
• 2 gastronomic cultural events with (+300 participants from all over Córdoba).
• 1 therapy-dance for stress management.
•1 videodance production to reflect cultural identity through dance and movement (+50 participants).
• Better food culture and nutritional knowledge among the participants in the workshops and training.
• Sports and dance opportunities for women.
• Regular use of patios and public spaces, as places to promote Inclusive Health and Wellbeing.
• Cooking, dancing, and training opportunities to reduce stress and build social ties.
• Gastronomic and sports events as attractors to the neighbourhood.
• Increased visibility of the transformations in the neighbourhood.
• Positive image at the city level, fostering internal pride and decreasing stigma.
• Short cooking and nutrition classes and hands-on training made healthy eating easier to integrate into daily life.
• Anchoring activities in local culture (gastronomy and patio life) attract residents.
• Safe spaces and non-traditional sports (e.g. therapydance) increased women’s participation.
• Partnerships with chefs, food providers, NGOs, and sports clubs multiply impact and attract external visitors.
• Giving visibility to the changes in the spaces improves the image of the neighbourhood, reduces stigma, maintains motivation and encourages ongoing participation.
4. Immersive Training Experience (ITE) for Adults with Down Syndrome
• 1 innovative immersive training experience (ITE).
• 1 User’s Manual for families, social workers and caregivers.
• 22 individuals with Down syndrome trained using the ITE.
• 7 individuals employed in 2 different events as hostesses.
• Adults with Down syndrome equipped with practical skills and confidence that enhance employability and autonomy.
• Inclusive innovation in vocational training offering a replicable model of inclusive training, combining immersive technology, pedagogy, and user engagement.
• The digital tool permits seamless training adapted to the needs, timing and availability of the users, even if they usually need the support of caregivers or families.
• Attractive training opportunity that allows training through play.
• Opening of temporary employment opportunities to people with this syndrome.
• Evidence shows that repeated gameplay reduces the need for multiple practice sessions.
• Trustworthy relations between researchers, Cordoba’s Down syndrome association and IT developers.
• Improving the well-being and social skills of participants, fostering not only employability but also a stronger sense of belonging and purpose.
• Possibilities of adaptation, transferability and scaling to diverse contexts and other intellectual disability groups.
• Adults with Down syndrome can successfully perform in professional roles when provided with the right tools, opportunities, and support.
• Device and broadband limitations can hinder the use of ITE.
• Features such as simplified language, pictograms, and realistic environments increase usability and participant engagement.
• The final ITE required a lot of time and interactions between developers, users, the association and the researchers to ensure its usability.
• The three-stage cycle—gameplay, guided practice, and on-site performance—proves to be effective for users’ movement from initial reliance on prompts to near-autonomous task execution.
• Participants not only acquire job skills but also a sense of self-realisation, pride and increased wellbeing.
• Technological skills are crucial, but also the social skills of users when entering the workplace.
5. Inclusive and participatory communication, along with positive messaging in vulnerable contexts
• 38 radio programmes on the local radio station, the second most popular in the area.
• 88 videos shot and edited with the neighbours as protagonists.
• 6225 views on our YouTube channel.
• 204 blog posts published (1 per week) to keep residents informed.
• 46 monthly magazines summarising the activities.
• 141 appearances in local, regional, and national media.
• 56 press releases published on the UCO website and reproduced by newspapers, radio and television.
• 23 UCOdivulga events to disseminate the inclusive communication strategy.
• 1 documentary (Las Palmeras in positive) to make visible the good things in the neighbourhood.
• High visibility at local and regional levels.
• Palmeras, tu voz se escucha, second most listened to radio programme in the neighbourhood.
• 197 appearances in media.
• 11 radio interviews.
• 10 television appearances.
• 8 articles in specialised magazines.
• 560+ visualisations of the documentary and its use by journalists and researchers.
• 480 followers on Instagram channel within a 2,500-person community, becoming the most followed channel on this social media site.
• Long-term actions and persistence are essential in vulnerable contexts.
• Residents must be listened to and actively involved.
• Messages should be adapted to community needs.
• Openness to suggestions strengthens engagement.
6. Renaturalisation of Las Palmeras neighbourhood
• +300 trees planted.
• +800 bushes planted.
• 320 m2 of accessible, safe and environmentally friendly corridor surrounded by native vegetation, improving the biodiversity of the area.
• Central square and 5 courtyards renaturalised.
• High rate of survival (>85%), well above the city standard.
• An increased number of trees and bushes, enriching the local green space.
• Enhanced health and well-being for participants thanks to the benefits of nature.
• Improved aesthetics, making the neighbourhood more attractive and welcoming.
• Potential reduction of the temperature as trees grow and vegetation matures, offering relief during hot weather.
• Methods to increase tree planting survival tested and delivered.
• Establish early and continuous communication with public authorities to streamline approvals and reduce delays.
• Plan ahead for public tenders to avoid deadlines that clash with planting times.
• Align planting activities with seasonal windows to take advantage of favourable conditions.
• Anticipate and plan for environmental factors such as pests, climate variability, and soil conditions to maximise plant survival.
• Secure resources not only for initial planting but also for long-term care until trees and bushes become self-sustaining.
• Involve community members throughout the process to strengthen ownership and support ongoing maintenance.
7. Creation and renovation of public urban spaces
• Picnic area built.
• Renovation of the central square and the 5 patios.
• +70 benches built.
• The city’s largest mural painted.
• +70 granite monoliths coated with bioluminescent paint erected parallel to the water stream.
• Safer, more welcoming spaces to socialise and rest.
• New infrastructure supports healthy routines (walking, spending time outside, social meetings) and improves liveability.
• Stronger sense of belonging and pride, mainly because their ideas and cultural expression are reflected.
• Low vandalism after delivery, with spaces actively used for events and daily socialising, which strengthens our “from soft to hard VISs” approach.
• Better general image of the neighbourhood, facilitating links with the city.
• Begin with small, highly visible actions in public spaces, test community acceptance, and then expand to reduce vandalism and foster care and responsibility.
• Use CO-CO-CO-CO methods from the start to make residents part of the project.
• Adapted design to the context, such as anti-vandal furniture and layouts that fit local customs.
• Combine functionality with culture (benches, murals, art spaces): identity-based elements boost ownership and everyday use.
• Engage the right people in public administrations, those making things work.
• Patios as versatile public spaces, adapting the traditional concept to a broader scale and linking patios, the square, and the corridor to the city.
8. Citizen science initiatives to monitor urban wellbeing
• An open platform offering real-time data.
• 24 patios equipped with devices to monitor environmental and thermal comfort parameters.
• 100 noise sensors distributed around the city providing acoustic information.
• World’s first citizen science acoustic climate map.
• A collaborative network of over 120 citizens providing real-time data on key environmental factors affecting urban wellbeing.
• Citizen science initiative empowering residents to contribute to knowledge through low-cost technologies.
• Free LoRaWAN networks remove financial barriers, democratise data, and enable broad participation.
• Sensor installation fosters citizen engagement, awareness, and stronger ties to urban spaces.
• Real-time data improves monitoring of thermal comfort and acoustic conditions.
• Available data supports research and guides improvements in local living conditions.
• Collected data informs urban planning and policy on climate, noise, and public health.
• Monitoring patios highlights their cultural and environmental value in providing thermal comfort.
• Traditional features like patios and flowerpots are validated through modern monitoring.
• Citizens gain deeper understanding of their environmental conditions.
• The open platform enables scalability and replication in other cities.
• Open, interoperable, and robust FIWARE-based platform architecture enables real-time data collection, management, and analysis.
• The platform supports continuous monitoring with citizen science and multi-sensor input, while giving participants access to results.
• Citizens are eager to engage in initiatives proposed by trusted actors, such as the university, that can enhance their health and wellbeing.
• Researchers access real-time and historical datasets to identify trends and design targeted health and wellbeing interventions.
• FIWARE’s modular, open-standard design allows replication, scaling, and local adaptation.
9. Greening and renaturalisation in a shelter for homeless people
• 60 m2 urban garden whose produce is distributed among low income families.
• 260 m2 therapeutic garden.
• A renaturalised courtyard with green and socialisation areas.
• A spot of biodiversity created in a low income neighbourhood.
• +30 homeless people trained in gardening.
• A more cohesive community with greater social skills among the homeless.
• +50 weekly workshops co-creating social skills and knowledge in gardening.
• Positive advances in psychosocial aspects: social cohesion, participatory behaviour, sense of belonging and commitment to collective work.
• Improvements in participants emotional well-being, perceived physical health, and psychological distress.
• Strong engagement: Some former residents continue to participate in the workshops, even if they no longer live in the shelter.
• Mobilisation of human and material resources in favour of this group.
• When homeless individuals are given the opportunity to create something, particularly if it is something natural and ‘alive’ they often demonstrate strong commitment.
• The co-creation of new spaces fosters teamwork, a sense of accomplishment, and pride in what has been achieved.
• Involving participants in all stages of the process (design, implementation, management, assessment) increases ownership and sustainability.
• Engaging with nature and working together does not necessarily require large spaces or costly interventions to promote health and wellbeing.
• Trust-building takes time but is crucial for overcoming initial resistance or scepticism.
• Small, visible successes (e.g., a first harvest or garden feature) help to maintain motivation and encourage continuity.
• Flexibility is essential, as activities must adapt to participants’ changing circumstances and capacities.
• Social interaction and shared responsibility in gardening can reduce isolation and strengthen community ties.
• Professional support (e.g., psychologists, gardening experts) is essential to achieve results.
