Trees that save lives

Congratulations on the award, Mark! It says here that you were granted it for your great contribution to environmental epidemiology. And what is that…? I tell my children that my job is to make a better city so that there are more green areas and they can ride their bikes. And since they love bikes, they tell me I'm doing a good job. Ha, ha.

What do you think impressed the jury the most? The study of how urban design and transport planning affect health. It is clear that if cities invest in roads, what they will have is more cars, more pollution and more noise, which makes us sick and kills us. In addition, I think they appreciated that my team and I not only research, but we go out and talk to people: with the head of mobility, the head of green spaces, with schools, citizens… We have a certain activism committed to the community.

Wait, did you say it kills us?! How many deaths are we talking about? About 3,000 premature annual deaths, only in a city like Barcelona, due to poor urban and transport planning.

Whose consequences are… Firstly, the lack of exercise in the population, causing almost 1,000 of those 3,000 premature deaths. If you don't plan a city so that people can walk or cycle, you will have sedentary citizens. Secondly, air pollution, causing 659 of those 3,000 deaths. And thirdly, noise pollution, responsible for 599 premature deaths out of every 3,000.

A recent ISGlobal study says that 38%! of childhood asthma is attributed to pollution. Yes, children's metabolism is more sensitive, because they breathe faster in relation to their body mass. They are the most affected along with the elderly.

What three things would you ask authorities to do to stop the debacle? Remove cars, add more bike lanes, and enable more green spaces. Did you know that cars in Barcelona occupy 60 or 70% of public space? If we could reduce that space, we could plant trees. Look, for example, Via Laietana: we don't need that road! That street should be closed to traffic and a park should be put there. And Ronda Litoral, it should be made underground and a beautiful square should be put on top.

And what can citizens do to avoid all those diseases caused by the current urban environment – cancer, arrhythmia, obesity, diabetes, autism, hypertension… – that you explain on your website? First, use shared cars. Did you know that, when you own a car, 96% of the time it's parked? It's crazy. You lose money. Besides, you don't need it if you live in a well-connected city. And then, cycle and walk more. We shouldn't see it as a waste of time. You don't waste time. It's good for you. Your body needs it!

Yes, but eliminating cars is not that easy… Traffic restrictions on Madrid's Gran Vía or Barcelona's superilles were very controversial. But we can prevent 1,000 premature deaths a year! Who doesn't want to achieve that? Look, what people don't like are changes: "Oh, you can't park here anymore" or "I can't do this or that anymore." But then, once it's implemented, they say: "Ah, well, it's good, now it's quieter." It just takes a little time to get used to it. The superilles are great! I dedicate an entire chapter to them in my new book.

If the conclusions are so clear, what prevents action from being taken? Since people find changes difficult, politicians are afraid that if they implement them, they will lose support. Also, the car industry moves a lot of money. You don't earn as much selling bicycles.

Are you optimistic about the future? Yes! In 20 years I think there will be many fewer cars because people will share them. And we will see greener cities. It just takes political will.

And if we're dreaming, what would your ideal city be like? Very green, with lots of trees, solar panels on all roofs, and no cars. We need cities for people, not for automobiles!

Interview: Ana Portolés Photography: Mònica Figueras

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