“Barcelona Wants to Be Sustainable and Innovative,” by Vincent van der Lubbe
Vincent van der Lubbe, 52, from the Netherlands, lives in Barcelona with his partner Marta and their son Sam (3), along with their Labrador, Niko. He has been in Barcelona since 2016, after living in The Hague, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Zurich. He is a partner at DoITogether Architecture, an international boutique consultancy that smooths out non-technical friction for its clients in the field of information technology. He loves Catalan food, enjoys living near the water, and misses Dutch cookies.
Why did you choose Barcelona?
I was lucky enough to meet Marta, whose family is from Olesa de Montserrat—where she was born and raised, though she has also lived abroad—and I decided to stay for many reasons. Her parents adore our son and see him often, which makes our family life easier and more fulfilling, and since my mother is already 81 and lives in the Netherlands, it’s important to live in a city with good transportation links. This connectivity, as a partner at an international boutique consulting firm with foreign clients, also makes my remote work and travel much easier. For us, Barcelona just fits on a personal, practical, and professional level.
What positive aspects of the city would you highlight?
The affection shown to you by the people who love you. The time I spend with my family and friends, good food, good health, and the community. A culture that values presence over rushing—something I’ve come to appreciate. And Barcelona has many real assets: it’s a historic city by the sea with top-notch hospitals, research centers, talent in the field of design, and excellent connections to the rest of Europe.
What aspects of the city need improvement? How?
Barcelona was a pioneer in using Decidim for citizen participation, which is remarkable. I would love to see that mindset carried over into everyday life. Could a broken-down Bicing bike be as easy to track down as a Decidim proposal? Or could feedback on buses be as transparent as neighborhood budgets? The focus is there; the tools just need to catch up.
What do you expect from Barcelona in the coming years?
Barcelona wants to be sustainable and innovative, a place where work and family life coexist. I share that ambition. And as Cruyff said—another Dutchman who, like me, chose Barcelona as his home—playing soccer simply is the hardest thing to do. The chefs in this city know it too: excellence starts with the basics. If Barcelona can fix bicycles and complete public works with the same care, it will naturally attract those who are building the future.
Which city do you consider “your city”? What do you miss the most?
You take with you a piece of every place you’ve lived: the dunes of The Hague, the openness of Amsterdam, the freedom of Berlin, the lakes of Zurich. I miss being everywhere at once with all my loved ones. But Barcelona is teaching me the real skill: being fully present where you are. Being completely there for the people around you. That’s what matters.
