Public Space
The importance of public spaces between 1980-2000 not only focused on transforming of Barcelona’s urban landscape but also altering the city’s image. Research on public space in Barcelona shows us the role of architectural determinism in transforming Barcelona. It was during the 1980s that the construction of public spaces was a solution to connecting segregated areas. [1] Critiques of architectural determinism provide a useful window for understanding spatial transformations in the city. There are three different visions for analyzing public spaces in Barcelona. [2]
Vision 1: Spaces of Design: Example of Placa Soller
The first vision focuses on key features of renovating that impacted the way things were organized for the Olympics. The renovation process began in 1983 under the supervision of architect Oriol Bohigas. An example of an area that created public space is placa Soller. Many of these transformations of space were a result of the Olympics and public spaces were supported through monopolized investments. The most prominent outcomes between 1979-82 were the renewal of the placa Reial and the placa Soller. Placa Soller use to be an abandoned railroad station and is now a bus depot. It is located in the district of Nou Barris and is divided into both green space, with fountains, and a paved plaza used by the community for festivals, dances, or a play place for children. [3] As these transformations continued, parks and small urban gardens were sprouting up around the city in order to incorporate public spaces; this also included the remodeling of the sea front. Many small and large-scale projects incorporated design elements within these new public spaces in order to reflect some level of prestige. These monuments not only added to the urban periphery but also gave neighborhoods and most importantly Barcelona an identity. Public spaces as a result are given an artistic component that adds character to these areas. [2]
The first vision focuses on key features of renovating that impacted the way things were organized for the Olympics. The renovation process began in 1983 under the supervision of architect Oriol Bohigas. An example of an area that created public space is placa Soller. Many of these transformations of space were a result of the Olympics and public spaces were supported through monopolized investments. The most prominent outcomes between 1979-82 were the renewal of the placa Reial and the placa Soller. Placa Soller use to be an abandoned railroad station and is now a bus depot. It is located in the district of Nou Barris and is divided into both green space, with fountains, and a paved plaza used by the community for festivals, dances, or a play place for children. [3] As these transformations continued, parks and small urban gardens were sprouting up around the city in order to incorporate public spaces; this also included the remodeling of the sea front. Many small and large-scale projects incorporated design elements within these new public spaces in order to reflect some level of prestige. These monuments not only added to the urban periphery but also gave neighborhoods and most importantly Barcelona an identity. Public spaces as a result are given an artistic component that adds character to these areas. [2]
Vision 2: Spaces of Renovation: The Example of Poblenou
The second vision focused on spaces of renovation and specifically how public spaces encouraged thoughts on goals of policy. Originally, public spaces aimed to solve problems in policies through historical examples. The primary goal of Barcelona’s planning policy is to eliminate segregation and have equality in the way public spaces are accessible to all citizens. Another goal was to improve or remodel facilities and degrading neighborhoods in order to attract more, higher-income residents. The creation of these new public spaces was not solely designed for the purpose of renovating deficient areas, but also to encourage activity in these urban spaces. [1] Poblenou is an old industrial part of Barcelona that had but industrial and working-class housing. This town was one of the industrial revolution in Barcelona and Spain. [4]
The second vision focused on spaces of renovation and specifically how public spaces encouraged thoughts on goals of policy. Originally, public spaces aimed to solve problems in policies through historical examples. The primary goal of Barcelona’s planning policy is to eliminate segregation and have equality in the way public spaces are accessible to all citizens. Another goal was to improve or remodel facilities and degrading neighborhoods in order to attract more, higher-income residents. The creation of these new public spaces was not solely designed for the purpose of renovating deficient areas, but also to encourage activity in these urban spaces. [1] Poblenou is an old industrial part of Barcelona that had but industrial and working-class housing. This town was one of the industrial revolution in Barcelona and Spain. [4]
Vision 3: Spaces of People: The Example of the Raval
This vision looks at how public spaces are utilized by the people that use it. The altering and flexibility allows public spaces to be transformed to fit various purposes such as places of socialization, culture, and collaboration. A significant point that was brought up was how public space can be a place of socialization, but it can also cause social conflicts. The Raval serves as an example of how social tensions were a result of how people use and perceive a space. Public spaces reflect a discrepancy between how a space is designed versus the social use and is a reflection of how people view a space. Ultimately, Barcelona’s urban public spaces should be looked at in a new perspective and are sites of innovation and resistance. [1]
This vision looks at how public spaces are utilized by the people that use it. The altering and flexibility allows public spaces to be transformed to fit various purposes such as places of socialization, culture, and collaboration. A significant point that was brought up was how public space can be a place of socialization, but it can also cause social conflicts. The Raval serves as an example of how social tensions were a result of how people use and perceive a space. Public spaces reflect a discrepancy between how a space is designed versus the social use and is a reflection of how people view a space. Ultimately, Barcelona’s urban public spaces should be looked at in a new perspective and are sites of innovation and resistance. [1]
References
[1] Marshall, T. (1996). Barcelona—fast forward? City entrepreneurialism in the 1980s and 1990s. European Planning Studies, 4(2), 147.
[2] Marshall, T. (2004). Transforming Barcelona: The Renewal of a European Metropolis. London: Routledge.
[3] Herzog, L. (2006). Return to the center: Culture, public space, and city building in a global era (pp. 105-112). Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.
[4] Nel·lo, Oriol (1997). The Olympic Games as a tool for urban renewal: the experience of Barcelona’92 Olympic Village. URL:http://olympicstudies.uab.es/pdf/wp090_eng.pdf
Media
[1] Public Spaces Map [Book]. Retrieved on Return to the center: Culture, public space, and city building in a global era
[2] placa Reial [Modern Day] [Web Photo]. Retrieved on http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/64153903.jpg
[3] plaza de Soller [Web Photo. Retrieved on http://www.inturotel.com/content/imgsxml/en/multimedia/soller5.jpg
[1] Marshall, T. (1996). Barcelona—fast forward? City entrepreneurialism in the 1980s and 1990s. European Planning Studies, 4(2), 147.
[2] Marshall, T. (2004). Transforming Barcelona: The Renewal of a European Metropolis. London: Routledge.
[3] Herzog, L. (2006). Return to the center: Culture, public space, and city building in a global era (pp. 105-112). Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.
[4] Nel·lo, Oriol (1997). The Olympic Games as a tool for urban renewal: the experience of Barcelona’92 Olympic Village. URL:http://olympicstudies.uab.es/pdf/wp090_eng.pdf
Media
[1] Public Spaces Map [Book]. Retrieved on Return to the center: Culture, public space, and city building in a global era
[2] placa Reial [Modern Day] [Web Photo]. Retrieved on http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/64153903.jpg
[3] plaza de Soller [Web Photo. Retrieved on http://www.inturotel.com/content/imgsxml/en/multimedia/soller5.jpg