An evaluation of an urban renewal program and its effects on neighborhood resident's overall wellbeing using concept mapping

Urban renewal programs aim to improve physical and socioeconomic position of neighborhoods. However, due to the intervention's complexity, there is often little evidence of their impact on health and health inequalities. This study aimed to identify the perception of a group of neighborhood residents towards a large-scale urban renewal program in Barcelona and to explore its effects and importance on their wellbeing using concept mapping methodology. Our results indicate that the majority of urban renewal projects within the initiative, including improved walkability, construction of new public spaces and more community programs, have positive and important effects on the overall wellbeing of participants. This study presents an innovative method that diverts from traditional outcome-based evaluations studies often used within this field. •We evaluated the perceived effects of urban renewal on the wellbeing of neighbors.•Concept mapping was applied in three groups of neighbors in two intervened areas.•Both positive and negative changes occurring in the neighborhood were discussed.•Most interventions were concluded as having important positive effects.