Barcelona of Architecture by Sara Schiavone

Choosing Barcelona as a place to live is, to a large extent, choosing a very specific way of understanding urban life. And architecture is undoubtedly one of the key factors. We’re not just talking about those iconic landmarks everyone recognizes, but something deeper: the way neighborhoods connect, how squares are designed, and that constant relationship between history and modernity.

In a recent session on architecture as part of the Barcelona 2040 program, we had the opportunity to reflect on all of this from within the sector. The host was Nico Capo, at the Belloch headquarters of Urbidermis, a setting that in itself encourages you to think about the city through design and public space in harmony with nature. Joining him were Oriol Estela and Anna Ramos.

Barcelona is an undisputed international reference. In fact, it is the only city that has hosted the annual congress of the International Union of Architects more than once, a milestone that underscores its global standing. But beyond the awards, what truly matters is how architecture is part of everyday life. Pedestrianization projects, such as those on Consell de Cent or Girona Street, and the superblock model in Poblenou, have been so innovative that even in London, Barcelonan architects were consulted to replicate this approach on the famous Oxford Street.

After the positive results of recent decades, it’s worth asking what we expect from the city today. We ask for more children, because a city that works for childhood is a city that works for everyone and truly plans for the long term. We ask for silence, a huge challenge in such a dense environment as ours, but vital in a dynamic metropolis that can sometimes feel overwhelmed. And, above all, we ask for more public space—the intermediate place where community is truly built.

If we look at those of us who experience architecture on a daily basis, almost without realizing it, a spontaneous question arises: to what extent are strategic decisions truly made with the citizen in mind? Urban planning cannot be purely technical; it must integrate data, of course, but also sensitivity. Does a street feel safer just because it has lighting? Is a bench comfortable for everyone? In this sense, it is very interesting that Urbidermis is incorporating sensors into urban elements to understand how we use spaces. It’s a decision that helps design better and makes us feel part of the project, which in the end encourages us to take better care of it.

Barcelona also stands out for how it looks to the future by leveraging its past. The city has positioned itself very well in the reuse of its heritage; old factories converted into offices or innovation spaces demonstrate that starting from scratch is not always necessary. Reinterpreting what already exists is a form of sustainability and a way of honoring our collective memory.

As in other areas, administrative boundaries arise that do not always align with metropolitan reality and pose a significant challenge. Today’s architecture and urbanism require a vision that goes beyond municipal borders and embraces genuine collaboration between institutions.

There is no doubt that Barcelona has strong reasons to continue leading. It combines creative talent, tradition, and a great capacity for adaptation—a mix that positions it as a model to follow on the global map. Those who have chosen to live here, or who were born here and decided to stay, do so in part because they believe in that potential. Architecture is not just a discipline; it is a tool to build quality of life. And Barcelona has everything it needs to demonstrate that designing a city well is, ultimately, the best way to care for its inhabitants.