We open the series of workshops entitled Right to the City with the journalist Anatxu Zabalbeascoa, who explores the importance of citizens when defining the urban transformation of the contemporary metropolis. An active attitude on the part of neighbourhood communities needs to be harmonized with the work of architects when it comes to building the cities of the twenty-first century. In this workshop, historical and current cases where citizen initiatives have had a key role are revised, referring to both Barcelona and elsewhere.

The Urban Reconquest: Architects Who Listen to Citizens

Citizens need to be actively involved if we are to redefine 21st-century cities as places where change is possible. This includes recognising citizens’ rights and responsibilities for making the city their own, as well as preventing property bubbles, identifying pressing needs and working with city planners. Most parks in Spain, for example, were only created after public pressure. Citizens should use their powerful voice to make sure they have a say in how they live their lives in cities. In this workshop, we start by looking at the changes and pressing needs in contemporary cities and the relationship between architects and users, before examining past and present-day cases of urban transformation—both close to home and further away—where residents have played a key role.

Anatxu Zabalbeascoa has been writing about architecture, design and urbanism in El País for over 20 years, and her blog, Del tirador a la ciudad, is housed on El País Digital. She is also the author of more than 10 books on architecture.