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Public space and the green city: Conflictual narratives of the superblock programme in Poblenou, Barcelona
Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal,
15
(1),
113-128
(2021)
Abstract
This paper aims to critically scrutinise the competing perceptions of sustainability-oriented actions in urban public spaces by exploring the case of the Barcelona semi-central district of Poblenou, where a programme of green-driven regeneration has recently been developed as a pilot test for the whole city. We focus on some elements of the Superillas (Superblocks) programme, such as pedestrianisation and the green-driven regeneration of public spaces, in order to explore to what extent pro-green urban agendas and sustainability-oriented planning approaches are embedded in the ‘green ethical commitment’ of the ‘green’ city, whose narratives tend to overemphasise the benefits of urban green, disregarding compelling perceptions of public spaces. In so doing, the paper aims to provide new insights into the debate about public spaces, urban green and public perceptions, which can often mirror asymmetric power relations and competing visions.
Keywords: public space; sustainability; urban planning; pedestrians; superblocks
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Lluis Frago is lecturer in human geography at the University of Barcelona, where he teaches courses in urban geography, urban planning and economic geography. Lluis’ research focuses on urban restructuring and economic activities and pays particular attention to the role of consumption and retail activities and in driving creation of new scales of urbanisation. He is the director of the Urban and Retail Studies Team.
Teresa Graziano is lecturer in economic and political geography at the University of Catania, where she teaches geography of cities and territorial processes. She has been a visiting fellow at the Royal Holloway — University of London, the TIC & Migrations Research Group of FMSH of Paris and the University of Barcelona. Since 2021, Teresa has been Dirécteur d’études associé (DEA) at the Fondation Maison Science de l’Homme of Paris. Her main research interests focus on urban renewal, gentrification and the role of ICT in sustainable planning, particularly in marginal/rural areas.
