The Temporal Observation of Public Space(s) in Barcelona

Keywords: Public space, Barcelona, photography
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

The presentation looks at how the long-term temporal observation of a given public space reveal the rhythms of daily life, providing insights that are often missing from literature about these spaces. The focus of the presentation revolves around the contradictions between the design and the use of a public square (Plaça dels Àngels) that is adjacent to the Museum of Modern Art in the historic downtown Barcelona neighborhood of El Raval. In particular, there is consideration of the adaptations that policymakers have made since the 1990s to justify and reconcile their urban design for the space compared to how the space is being used by divergent social groups at different time periods (over the years, times of the day, time of the year). The presentation makes substantial use of visual documentation (primarily photographs) to highlight the conflict between the planners’ vision, residents needs and the way others (primarily skateboarders and tourists) appropriate the space for their own use. The presentation argues that the long-term temporal observation of a space provides insights that are often missed when gathering information from texts, planning documents, interviews, and/or short-term field work.