Paper short abstract:

This paper explores Barcelona's shift from tourism-centered projects to sustainable and inclusive initiatives, examining projects such the Superilla, Protegim les escoles, and thoroughfare reconfigurations through an anthropological lens, unraveling the complexities of "unsettled city-making."

Paper long abstract:

Barcelona's urban landscape has undergone profound transformations over the last decade, moving away from grand tourist-centered endeavors to embrace inclusivity, environmental sustainability through community-centered urban policies. Initiatives such as Superilla, green axes, and the reimagining of major thoroughfares, including Via Laietana, Las Ramblas, and Consell de Cent, embody this paradigm shift towards a city designed for its neighbors. Employing an anthropological perspective, this paper scrutinizes the intricate dynamics of "unsettled city-making," analyzing both intended impacts and unforeseen consequences.

Beyond altering the physical urban fabric, our research delves into the profound effects on urban mobility, territorial configuration, and shifts in urban space. We propose to examine these manifold interventions from the same lens, more specifically, from the "Protegim Escoles'' project to the iconic Ramblas transformation in detail, revealing how their execution undergoes significant alterations due to controversies, social demands, and disagreements within the municipal government. Positioned amidst the thematic framework of the "construction of unstable cities'' panel, this anthropological exploration reframes urban policies as intrinsic elements woven into the ongoing city development process, emphasizing their role in creating a city that prioritizes its residents. It sheds light on the spatiotemporal dynamics of unresolved policies and their impact on policy formulation and societal claims. The study challenges conventional perspectives on urban policies, illustrating how instability can catalyze new possibilities and emergent strategies in response to institutional demands. The urban planning shift in Barcelona emerges as a complex tapestry shaped by diverse factors and actors, providing valuable insights into contemporary urban development dynamics.