Presentation
Barcelona is known worldwide as an architectural city for its beautiful, unique buildings, for the way in which we all strive to preserve our centuries-old architectural heritage, and for our solid commitment to providing welcoming, accessible and inclusive spaces for everyone.
UNESCO-UIA has named Barcelona the World Capital of Architecture, with the city set to host the 2026 World Congress of Architects of the International Union of Architects. Disciplines and societies evolve: Barcelona and architecture are also evolving. The 1996 UIA World Congress of Architects exported the Olympic urban planning model. After the housing, social, healthcare and climate crises, our architectural paradigm has become profoundly invigorated: it strives to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. The architecture, urban planning and landscape architecture sectors of our socially diverse city, with its dense urban structure, limited natural resources and a pleasant and sunny Mediterranean climate, along with cycles of drought and long heat waves, are striving to make virtues out of the challenges inherent to economic, social and environmental sustainability. The city can reinvent itself, move forward and be an example to others.
Being named the Capital of Architecture has helped us to showcase our heritage to the entire world. With an eye fixed on 2026, we are coordinating a programme led by the chief architect of the Barcelona City Council aimed at introducing our architecture to the general population. Barcelona’s Architecture Weeks event will provide a small taste of what there is to offer in collaboration with the highly active network that nurtures the city’s architectural culture along with everyone who wants to contribute to it.
What is the World Capital of Architecture:
Dissemination: This landmark event will be dedicated to spreading and communicating the transformative power and values of architecture, urban planning, and landscaping.
Advocacy : The heritage and architecture of Barcelona and Catalonia will be showcased worldwide.
Plural: The World Capital of Architecture is an open and networked structure that builds upon existing efforts, seamlessly integrating into the city's established system for promoting and disseminating architectural knowledge.
Open: The event invites the entire community—professionals and cultural organisations, institutions, schools, and above all citizens—to actively engage in the activities planned for 2026, fostering a sense of collective participation.
Legacy: The ambition is to leave a lasting material and immaterial legacy for the city, ensuring that the goals and impact of the event endure well beyond 2026.
Programme
10 months with a wide range of activities for all the city’s districts
The World Capital of Architecture for 2026 will offer a wide range of activities across Barcelona’s 10 districts over 10 months, from mid-February to mid-December, with an itinerary that will stretch from Santa Eulàlia to Santa Llúcia festivities.
The Barcelona City Council, under the leadership of the chief architect and through the Fundació Mies van der Rohe, an opening and a closing ceremony, in which the lights and lighting of the city’s nine buildings declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites will play a central role. This grand showcase for the city has been designed in a unified manner, but it will feature a disparate exhibition deployed in a decentralised manner. The event will also feature the unveiling of the winning proposals by the young architects who took part in the international contest to transform 10 blind walls over 10 months across the city’s 10 districts.
To round out the extensive programme we are proud to rely on the participation of around one hundred institutions, organisations and independent experts linked to Barcelona’s architecture. We want to pool their knowledge and expertise when introducing architecture to the general population and present it in a fun, educational and attractive manner. That is why we have launched an open call for all organisations and groups that want to be part of the events and propose activities.
The goal is to offer a wide range of exhibitions, itineraries, workshops, open houses, visits, installations, conferences and competitions for local residents. The aim is also to sponsor and strengthen the architectural events that already take place in the city by extending their duration or spreading them across a larger scale, as well as to be metaphorical antennas to stake a claim for and raise the visibility of these kinds of events held outside the city. In order to carry out all these activities, the organisers will create a volunteering programme that engages young and old alike, seeking enriching, intergenerational participation.
Legacy
A lasting legacy that goes far beyond 2026
The World Capital of Architecture will be highly visible in the city throughout 2026, yet the goal is for its tangible and intangible footprint and impact to extend beyond 2026. This great showcase for our city will remain in place and be enhanced with a large-scale model of Barcelona linked to a space that fosters reflection and seeks to spread the word about architecture.
The winning proposals from among the young architects who participated in the international competition to remodel 10 blind walls in the city will be implemented in the 10 districts, serving as an example and establishing a lasting legacy of how the disciplines of architecture, urban planning and landscape architecture contribute to improving the liveability, sustainability, biodiversity and quality of life in cities.
Meanwhile
In the meantime, don’t forget about our Architecture Weeks
Barcelona’s Architecture Weeks offer up just a small taste of what is to come with the World Capital of Architecture in 2026. The event has been held since 2017 in partnership with around 100 organisations connected to architecture, interior design and construction. The city’s Architecture Weeks feature a wide range of activities aimed at strengthening the connection between architecture and local residents. The 2025 Architecture Weeks will take place from 12 May to 29 June, across seven weeks, throughout the city. If you would like to learn more, click here.