In ‘Generic City’, published a few years before the 22@ project took off, Rem Koolhaas described Barcelona as being ‘an oversimplification of itself’, becoming more a ‘logo’ than an authentic city. 1 That’s what he saw in 1994 but Barcelona has reinvented itself many times in the last 150 years.With the Eixample urban grid, approved by the city authorities in 1859, Barcelona expanded beyond its medieval wall and became a modern, Cartesian and functional city. Not only did the new square blocks provide housing for Barcelona’s increasing population, but also the straight, logical approach facilitated a new system of transportation based on the mechanical engine – first railways and then cars. Later, city planners and architects used major events to assert their identity.The 1888 International Exposition became a catalyst for the definition of a regional cultural identity named the ‘new Catalan school’. Artists and architects became proud to use traditional Catalan construction techniques such as vaults created from very thin layers of brick.The second International Exposition in 1929 continued in that same vein, but the subsequent dictatorship of General Francisco Franco in 1939 suppressed further expressions of Catalan identity, refocusing Spanish strength on Madrid. Franco’s death in 1975 created a strong political and cultural revival of Catalan identity, which translated urbanistically into an important revitalisation of the city. In this sense, the 1992 Olympic Games played an important role in the transformation of the cityscape and road network.Today, 22@ Barcelona might be the next in line. Authorities hope to make the city more than the nostalgic image tourists seek, more than the modern manufacturing hub, and to push it into the global market of a knowledge-based economy. 22@ Barcelona was envisioned as a compact and rational district. 2 City officials wanted to create a synergic hub of production, education, and living where ideas can spread and develop rapidly. Development started in 2000. By 2010, they had developed 68 percent of the available land, an area the size of 115 Eixample blocks. Already, the number of companies increased by 105% to 7,064 including Yahoo R+D and Barcelona TV, and along with 56,200 additional workers. 3 City officials have also been using 22@ as an urban laboratory to try out new ideas. Pneumatic garbage collection was introduced. Planners improved public transportation and walking/ bike paths in the area hoping that 70% of the workers will avoid using their cars.Trying to create a city within a city, the neighbourhood is becoming more heterogeneous, mixing industry, commercial and residential spaces. Community members used to the old Poblenou complain about the high-cost of social housing projects, which have increased by 25%. Graffiti and posters littering the street express the frustration of those forgotten in the city’s public consultation process. It remains to be seen whether city officials can help these residents experience the benefits of 22@ as well. The Catalans have struggled for centuries to maintain their own identity in a centrist Spanish state. Some of this spirit may play out in the 22@ project, as city officials try to reinvent Barcelona again. Koolhaas described Barcelona as stuck, like many cities,‘dependant of its history, economy and resources’ for survival. It needs to grow beyond that. So far 22@ has taken up this challenge and is demonstrating significant success. But the true measure of its success won’t be taken for many years. g
Development of the Eixample starting in 1859
1888 International Exposition
1929 International Exposition
1992 Olympic Games Sites
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22@Barcelona Redevelopment starting in 2000
Frédéric Brisson
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