Wow - Barcelona is an amazing place :-) We certainly did not have enough time there, even with 8 days… The biggest thrills came from seeing the extraordinary work of Gaudi, who weaves nature, faith, spirituality together as inspiration in his architecture that is so intelligent, resourceful and most of all delightful! Another great thrill was from seeing the great streets that enable such life as they accommodate people and their other-than-car movement and congregation, along with lots of trees. We have a lot to learn.
View to the city from the front of the Palau Nacional
How does Barcelona bring the story of place to life?
Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is very focused on understanding and celebrating its culture, connections and special attributes. Country seems to be a helper rather than a focus, and the issues of the watershed are very apparent as the current drought sees the local dam levels drop to 18%…
centre Country* in design?
As with most of Europe, nature might be honoured as part of this, but it seems to be something to be manipulated to ensure people and their needs are addressed in the first place. Perhaps this is changing? Would be great to see the further enrichment of this place with such a focus.
enhance its context, connections and culture?
Barcelona seems to excel at this, in so many ways :-)
Its culture is very central to so much of this place - its buildings and their expression, its streets and communal spaces designed for people, its food, its music, its art… everything together! Such a joy to experience, even if only on the surface.
positively contribute to its watershed?
I am not sure what its role is in this, except that the dam levels are currently at 18% and they are planning to bring in water by either boats or transportable desalination plants, which as SOOOO energy intensive… While there are warnings on the street about the drought, there were none in the hotel and our attempts to stop towels being unnecessarily washed every day did not work. Clearly a lot of work to be done in this area…
How does Barcelona celebrate resourcefulness?
I am not sure at all about this, as I am not familiar enough with what is happening, and my Spanish is non-existant…
achieve net zero carbon in its life cycle?
As noted above - not sure, but believe there is good work being done here. While I am not sure what the policy on keeping buildings rather than rebuilding is, many buildings from many past eras abound, and that embodied carbon retention is good :-)
incorporate lean design for optimal resource use?
There is evidence of really smart design all around - especially from Gaudi :-) There is also evidence of less optimal resource use, so must be a work in progress. We did think that the plazas with heroic steel devises would have been much better served with good trees - from carbon, human and other species view points…
balance economic measures of cost and value?
With a focus on making this place work for so many people now and in the future, and the investment in great transport and streetscape infrastructure, it does seem that there is a reasonable positive focus on this.
View of the ceiling of Sagrada Familia showing the extraordinary celebration of natural structural systems that are efficient, effective and gloriously beautiful. And built to last!
How does Barcelona enable communities to thrive?
As for Bilbao, it is hard to know how this has been approached no a very short visit. However, it does seem that there is a strong diverse community enjoying the town at all times of the day, together. The investments in infrastructure and well recognised buildings seems to be paying off for a wide cross section of the people of Barcelona and the many tourists who keep coming there…
It is interesting to note that Barcelona seems very dependent on the tourists who come there. The many signs saying “Tourist go home” would indicate that not all people there think it is great. The various tours we took seem to be shaped to reduce their impact in various ways (especially noise), but we were aware that we are part of this problem… We loved coming here and finding out about the ideas and richness of this place… What to do about the problems of tourism? Good question that I am interested in exploring!
improve the communities physical and psychological health and well-being?
Lots of walking and cycling in streets that are increasingly being planted out with trees and plants..
Lots of places for people to gather and share together.
Not sure about much else!
provide equitable and affordable access and resources to diverse communities?
I am not sure about this.
Our Australian tour guide noted he can afford to live “well” in Barcelona, while he found Australia too expensive to consider moving back to…
empower community members to realise their potential and flourish?
Clearly the beneficial impacts of design and the many arts are well appreciated and encouraged here - and I see the creative powers of these skills as imperative to the future. Others? There does seem to be room for many different people to be in Barcelona and realise their potential. It would be good to find out more.
The Mercado de la Boqueria - full of people and food and life!
How does Barcelona foster ‘long now’ thinking of good ancestors?
As a place with thousands of years history, it would seem to be self evident that this is happening… Again, it would be good to spend more time there and find out more.
respect and value existing communities and buildings?
There seems to be huge respect for existing buildings - we were there mainly to explore the work of Gaudi and the many other wonderful architects who have worked in this town.
As for communities? I am not sure. There seems to be a history of varying degrees of tolerance of some communities (the Jews, some Catholics, etc etc) but I am not sure what is happening now. There do seem to be many migrants from Africa, but I do not know how they are being respected and valued…
enable future communities to endure and adapt to changing climates and needs?
Interesting question. Hard to answer with so little time and so little contact with people who know about this.
regenerate resources as we use them?
Again - not sure. There does seem to be lots of positive things happening with regards to local food and wine and there are many recycling bins everywhere.
We hardly say any PV panels on roofs of buildings, and there clearly is a water problem. Why and what to do about this? Not sure…
The cathedral built among the ancient Roman walls of the original town - all kept and celebrated :-)
How does Barcelona inspire and enable capacity and agency?
Barcelona is definitely inspiring! Especially the work of Gaudi :-)
help us understand and want to be in relation with and care for Country?
I found the architecture that has been so inspired by nature, and the wonderful landscaped outdoor areas so fabulous, and wanting to be in relationship with this place. And then there were places that didn’t… we can always do better :-)
support and promote healthy and fair supply chains?
Not sure about this.
inspire with stories that help us and others in our work?
Lots of great stories coming from this place. I was particularly inspired by the work of the IAAC at the Valldaura Labs, where students go to live in as they learn about forests, gardening, and making and how these are integral to their architecture. I would love to be part of such an approach in Australia :-)
Walking with Laia Pifarre around the grounds of the IAAC Valldaura Labs - Collserola Park outside Barcelona. Live in students learn about forestry, food, making and creating as equally essential parts of architecture.
Stained glass windows bring light, colour and inspiration into the Sagrada Familia!