Rapid urbanisation generates important challenges in terms of sustainability and spatial justice, but also presents opportunities to transform cities into more equitable and resilient spaces. This study addresses these issues and aims to analyse the perceptions and evaluations of the resident population of Pontevedra about urban spaces in the framework of a renaturalisation project, integrating socio-demographic and spatial justice factors. Quantitative methods such as factor analysis, cluster analysis and multiple regression were used to identify patterns of satisfaction and the use of urban spaces. This study reveals significant differences in the valuation of urban spaces according to socio-demographic variables, especially in relation to sustainability and social cohesion. The findings thus provide empirical evidence to guide more inclusive urban policies and emphasise the need to incorporate citizen participation in urban design to promote territorial equity.

Urban green spaces are increasingly recognized for their potential role in promoting public health although empirical evidence regarding their direct impact remains inconclusive. Beyond mere proximity, the aesthetic quality and subjective valuation of green areas may substantially influence how they contribute to health outcomes. Addressing a gap in the existing literature, this study establishes an explanatory model of the relationship between green spaces and health based on survey data from the city of Pontevedra (Spain). The model integrates sociodemographic variables, healthy behaviors, and aesthetic evaluations while using a health index that combines subjective perceptions of well-being with objective indicators such as medication use and medical consultations. Results show that the direct relationship between green space use and health is modest; however, green spaces are associated with increased physical activity, particularly sports practice, which in turn relates positively to health outcomes. The findings also reveal evidence of reverse causality as individuals in better health are more likely to engage in sports activities. Notably, aesthetic perceptions—especially favorable evaluations of sustainable garden designs—significantly affect the frequency and intensity of green space use. These results highlight the importance of not only expanding green spaces in urban environments but also enhancing their perceived quality to foster healthier behaviors and contribute indirectly to public health.

Desde una perspectiva sociológica, esta investigación pretende evaluar los beneficios asociados a la renaturalización de las ciudades en términos sociales; analizar si las ciudades biofílicas son realmente ciudades saludables, ciudades caminables. Para ello, se realizó una encuesta a la población de Pontevedra (Galicia, España) sobre sus rutinas en relación con los espacios verdes, su estado de salud y sus prácticas habituales de actividad física, como caminar y hacer deporte. Se utilizan análisis de regresión lineal multivariante y ANOVA para explorar posibles vinculaciones entre el uso de los espacios verdes públicos de la ciudad, el bienestar social y el estado de salud de la población residente, medida a través del consumo de medicamentos, las consultas médicas y salud autopercibida. Al mismo tiempo, se investigaron las sinergias entre la frecuencia de visita o la duración de la estancia y las características sociodemográficas de los usuarios; evaluando paralelamente el nivel de satisfacción con aspectos específicos de la ciudad. Los resultados sugieren que el uso frecuente de los espacios verdes está correlacionado con una mejor salud autopercibida y una participación más frecuente en actividades de paseo y deportivas. Sin embargo, es necesario prestar especial atención a las cuestiones territoriales, educativas, económicas y demográficas para garantizar que toda la población pueda disfrutar de estos espacios independientemente de su situación social y personal.