Barcelona Metropolis

Anna Ramos
Director of the Fundació Mies van der Rohe

Barcelona’s architectural richness stems from the beauty and uniqueness of its buildings, our collective efforts to safeguard a centuries-old architectural heritage and our ongoing commitment to creating inviting, accessible and inclusive public spaces.

UNESCO and the UIA named Barcelona the World Capital of Architecture not just for its architectural beauty. As disciplines and societies evolve, so do Barcelona and its architecture. The 1996 UIA World Congress of Architects showcased the Olympic urban model. After enduring real estate, social, health and climate crises, our architectural approach has undergone a profound transformation: it now seeks to be part of the solution rather than the problem. In a socially diverse city characterised by dense urban planning, limited natural resources and a Mediterranean climate – pleasant and sunny, but marked by droughts and prolonged heatwaves – architecture, urban planning and landscaping are turning challenges into strengths. The city can be reimagined, move forward and set an example.

The World Capital of Architecture title should help us engage a broad audience in discussions about architecture. We are coordinating a programme – led by the Chief Architect – aimed at the general public, beginning with the Architecture Weeks in 2024, and in collaboration with the dynamic network that nurtures architectural culture in our country. We hope this will spark a productive conversation!

Pablo Martínez Díez i Mar Santamaria Varas
Urban architects

Thirty years ago, when Barcelona hosted the first UIA World Congress of Architects, our city led the European vision of growth and development that many other cities have since tried to emulate. Today, urban expansion, growth and intensive land transformation are occurring primarily in the Global South. Countries that once had little presence at these events are now the key participants.

India, China, Africa and Latin America are leading the world’s urbanisation, aspiring to become new economic and cultural powers. What can we share and teach these cities from an ageing Europe that has curbed its expansion, outsourced its industry and emissions to other continents (from which it also draws resources), and, in contrast, erected borders to protect itself?

In an unequal and unjust world, Barcelona, together with its architects and citizens, strives to make the city a platform for social integration. This is achieved by fostering interaction through public spaces and amenities that feel like extensions of one’s own home. Barcelona has embraced urban planning that prioritises the common good and has endorsed architectural designs aimed at benefiting and enhancing society. Architectures that define the city.

Francesc Muñoz
Geographer, Director of the Urbanisation Observatory at UAB

In the summer of 1996, Barcelona hosted the UIA Congress “Present and Futures: Architecture in Cities”. Under the leadership of Ignacio de Solà-Morales, this urban discourse unfolded amidst the vibrancy of the renowned “Barcelona model”.

Thirty years on, the city is poised to regain its status as the Capital of Architecture, but within a vastly different landscape marked by the convergence of three significant urban crises: a social crisis, exacerbating inequality and fragmenting public space; a climate crisis, necessitating the acknowledgment of environmental risks challenging the existing urban fabric; and a health crisis, stemming from the lingering effects of COVID, with a growing burden of mental distress among the populace. In this scenario, dynamics such as accelerated touristification and gentrification persist, compelling residents to relinquish their city, to withdraw from their own neighbourhoods, gradually stripped in increasingly overt ways of their identity and character.

It’s hoped that the new Capital of Architecture will address these issues by proposing alternative models for the city and public spaces that can effectively tackle these challenges.

What kind of architecture will we champion in 2026? Will it embrace these urgent and unavoidable narratives, or will it stick to the familiar model, trapped in the logic of turbo-capitalism, aimed at obliterating local identities and erasing the differences that make Barcelona a unique and diverse place? Will it uphold the traditional notion of architecture as the art of city-making, or will it lean towards an architecture conceived merely as a tool to dismantle it?

Maria Salamero
President of the Associació d’Enginyers Industrials de Catalunya [Association of Industrial Engineers of Catalonia]

Architecture and engineering play pivotal roles in combating climate change and shaping the future we aspire to inhabit. Barcelona’s designation as the World Capital of Architecture presents an opportunity to propel towards a new ethos of construction – one that embraces cutting-edge technologies, minimises waste generation and energy consumption and maximises the utilisation of renewable resources. The principles of circular building and decarbonisation in construction are no longer a matter of choice; they are imperative necessities and obligations.

There is a need to emphasise the industrialisation of construction processes, innovation in the use of new or recycled materials, the development of more sustainable designs, strategies for adapting existing buildings with minimal interventions, and the digitalisation of both construction and subsequent building use. Today, we have access to digital tools tailored for the construction sector, enabling us to optimise processes and assess environmental impact. I must also highlight the significance of the professionals in this sector because, without their expertise, these changes cannot be effectively implemented. Catalonia, with its rich architectural heritage, should continue fostering the knowledge ecosystem and investing in it.

We need more holistic approaches that combine all these aspects to achieve sustainable building and contribute to the ecological transition. We have the tools and the talent; let’s make it happen!

Oscar Guayabero
Curator, editor and design theorist

Major events tend to pull everything in their orbit towards a central point. I’m not just talking about geography; I anticipate efforts, to some degree, to spread activities across different neighbourhoods. What I mean is that all architectural activities in the coming years will gravitate towards a single hub known as the World Capital of Architecture. This trend will also affect public support for creation, dissemination and exhibition.

We’ve seen this happen a few times, and it’s sort of become the norm. Personally, I favour approaches that lean towards decentralisation rather than absorption, and I value initiatives that spring from grassroots efforts and gradually shape our surroundings. In Barcelona, we’ve lots of groups, organisations, individuals and movements doing things this way, but they often fly under the radar. Actually, being ignored isn’t always a bad thing; as long as they leave us alone to do our thing, it’s okay. During major events, there’s usually a bit of a clean-up, like when you clear a field to give the trees room to grow – except in this case, it’s all about capitalising on the capital status, if you’ll forgive the pun.

Permaculture has taught us that it’s better not to plough, as shrubs retain the morning moisture and lower the soil’s temperature through solar action, while also nurturing life underground and providing nutrients for the trees. If I had to make a request for the 2026 capital status, it would be to integrate permaculture principles.

Guim Costa Calsamiglia
Dean of the Col·legi d’Arquitectes de Catalunya [Architects’ Association of Catalonia]

As we approach 2026, Barcelona is primed to experience a pivotal moment in both its own history and the architectural realm: hosting the UIA’s World Congress of Architecture and earning the title of UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture. This honour not only celebrates Barcelona’s rich architectural heritage but also signals a future ripe with possibilities.

Barcelona has certainly left its mark in the history books by hosting some epic global events. The 1992 Olympic Games demonstrated its ability to shine on the world stage: the city’s skyline was transformed, its identity redefined, cementing its status as a global reference in urbanism and architecture. And four years later, in 1996, Barcelona welcomed the UIA congress for the first time, with the world’s top architects in attendance, just as it will do again in 2026.

This designation marks a significant stride towards sustainable development, technological innovation and social inclusion through architecture, while also reshaping the role of architects in shaping the cities of tomorrow. Barcelona is set to become a nexus of ideas, fostering the exchange of experiences and enriching the global architectural discourse with fresh perspectives. It will also address pressing global challenges in urbanism, climate change and social inequality. Barcelona is poised to spearhead these discussions and offer transformative solutions. The city is ready to inspire a new generation of architects and make a mark on the world architectural landscape.

Anna Gener
Real estate consultant

A big part of what makes Barcelona magnetic is its architecture: so many buildings here create an open-air museum that really affects our aesthetic sensibility and our quality of life.

Now that Barcelona has been named the World Capital of Architecture, it’s a chance for us to really start thinking differently about our city’s architects, who are immersed in such an incredible architectural culture just by being here. Being surrounded by beauty – or even ugliness – has an impact, and the same goes for experiencing good – or bad – architecture.

The world is evolving into hubs, as the clustering of talent in specific industries generates remarkably positive ripple effects. In Barcelona, hubs are taking shape in sectors like digital and technology industries or scientific and biomedical research. The reason behind the emergence of these hubs, rather than others, lies in our unique characteristics and the existing fabric of our city.

Barcelona holds the potential to emerge as a hotspot for architectural professionals, allowing us to gain international recognition, akin to Milan’s prominence in the design world years ago. With our heritage, educational institutions and a deep-rooted commitment to creativity and technical prowess, the stage is set. Yet, what’s needed is a catalyst, and the 2026 World Capital status could play that pivotal role.

Manolo Laguillo
Photographer of architecture and urbanism

The clamour and congestion in our cities extend beyond the realms of architecture and urban planning, just as issues like housing affordability and aesthetic preferences do. These matters are influenced by broader factors such as market forces, property laws and the distribution of authority. Therefore, it’s unrealistic to expect these disciplines alone to resolve them. However, we can urge practitioners to elucidate the distinctions between good and bad architecture, between appropriate and inappropriate urban design, and to share with us, ordinary citizens, the criteria for assessing the well-being of urban communities. That falls within their remit. I suggest that they take on the responsibility of promoting architecture, not just teaching it (as that’s the role of educational institutions), until it becomes ingrained in the public’s education. The more knowledgeable we become about architecture, the more mindful we will be of its significant impact on our lives.

Architects have a duty to advocate for the integration of their profession across all levels of education, from early childhood to the curricula of every discipline. Architecture encompasses both the arts and sciences, the visual and the technical. Thus, popularising it can help enhance quality of life, cultivate an appreciation for aesthetics and boost visual literacy.

Carme Pinós
Architect

Amidst the proliferation of images and information, our era lacks sufficient debate and the exchange of ideas to arrive at common conclusions. This congress presents an opportunity to foster dialogues aimed at determining the future direction of architecture and, most importantly, urban planning.

We’ve let the market decide how our cities should be shaped. Society is evolving rapidly, and our cities must adapt to these changes. With a population that is both ageing and increasingly isolated, and living spaces becoming smaller, there’s a growing need for public spaces that can address these challenges.

Architects bear the responsibility of listening attentively to understand the needs of society. Therefore, this congress should welcome insights from other disciplines to help us better comprehend our modern context. After all, it’s architecture that moulds the communal spaces that define our society.

On the other hand, a congress of architecture of this level should be entirely open to the city and enable full citizen participation. It’s crucial to raise public awareness about architecture and empower citizens to develop criteria for evaluating it. We must break free from the market’s rules, which create a closed loop leading to the complete degradation of our environment.

But this does not imply losing faith in architects; it’s quite the opposite. It is us architects who have the tools and skill to create architecture that is responsive to citizens’ needs. However, we must wrest control from the hands of the speculative and tyrannical market that extorts us. In this regard, we must also raise awareness among politicians.