Barcelona: Recreational Urban Spaces, Affordable Housing, and Energy Optimization

It is no coincidence that Barcelona has been designated World Capital of Architecture 2026. Since the Olympic Games in 1992, the city has worked strategically with urban development along the waterfront, creating mixed-use neighborhoods and park landscapes with a high degree of biodiversity. Much of everyday life takes place outdoors, and Barcelona has therefore become a frontrunner in recreational urban spaces—most recently through the SuperBLOX strategy, where 21 traffic hubs have already been transformed into recreational areas.

Since urban planner Ildefons Cerdà established the central city’s grid structure in the late 19th century, Barcelona has continued to pursue a visionary urban planning strategy. In more recent years, this has involved redirecting car traffic to ring roads around the city and expanding green spaces.

Green Urban Development and New Mobility Plans through the Superblox-strategien

Barcelona has set a concrete goal: 1 m² of green urban nature per resident by 2030 - corresponding to 160 hectares of new green areas. This ambition goes far beyond decorative public squares:

It is about climate adaptation and biodiversity.
It is about creating urban spaces where people can meet. Research shows that even informal social interaction in large cities improves public health and reduces stress.

The plan has been to develop a total of 503 new recreational urban areas by:

Removing through-traffic.
Prioritizing green infrastructure and microclimates.
Activating urban spaces for play, recreation, and community life.

World Capital of Architecture 2026

Housing shortages and the energy crisis have shaped many of the development projects initiated by the municipality. Underprioritized districts such as Nou Barris, Sants-Montjuïc, and Sarrià–Sant Gervasi are also receiving investment through various urban development initiatives.

You can choose between the following themes (e.g. 2–3 themes) for a tailored program:

Housing and urban regeneration.
Mobility and SuperBLOX.
Sustainability and climate strategies.
Innovation in urban transformation.
Cultural heritage and adaptation.

New Housing Typologies: Affordable Housing in the Central City

Barcelona has not turned a blind eye to housing shortages and social challenges. For decades, various left-leaning political actors have worked to create more affordable housing for the city’s growing population. Targeted efforts have also been made to counteract gentrification in urban areas. Local architecture studios such as Lacol and Peris+Toral, for example, work with:

Timber construction and hybrid structures.
Collective housing models and flexible floor plans.
Architectural strategies that foster social cohesion.

Practical Information:

A study program in Barcelona is designed based on your professional interests and needs. A typical program may include:

Project visits with professional presentations and dialogue with local experts, such as architectural studios, developers, landscape architects, energy consultants, or representatives from resident groups
In-depth contextualization of local conditions and trends—delivered by local urban development guides with both historical and contemporary perspectives
City-based activities such as cycling tours, walking tours, and shared meals, creating space for reflection and networking
Optional assistance with logistics (e.g. hotel and flights) via a travel agency we collaborate with
The program can also be combined with two days in Girona, Northern Spain, with a focus on projects by the Pritzker Prize–winning firm RCR.

We design each program to provide maximum value for professionals working within the construction and urban development sector. Contact us to learn more about our study programs in Barcelona.