APRÈN. Portal de la producció docent del professorat de la UPC

This document presents an investigation into theory and critical thinking from a conceptual and methodological theoretical framework that seeks to expose a way of observing as a proposal for modifying the environment through citizen participation. Driven by the belief that an integrative understanding of the social reality of the context and greater professional knowledge about participation processes in architecture and urban planning can lead to a more sustainable and resilient way to intervene in the built environment of neighborhoods, especially marked by urban vulnerability, we present a dialogue between an academic framework of concepts and basic criteria around the idea of co-creation in the built environment and the exemplification of it in the real-world experience of the case study of La Pau neighborhood located in the city of Barcelona. Through this synthesis, we aim to illustrate how theory and practice can come together to shape meaningful interventions in similar contexts.

We sit on the knife-edge today. The Climate Emergency begs that we reconsider our preconceived notions on non-human nature. If seven in ten people are soon to be living in cities, what can we do to keep sight of our place in nature and to care for it? Easy access to non-human nature around us, or within walking distance in cities, may hold the answer. To hold onto this we need to both bring people together in denser configurations and find more room for nature. Barcelona is a lauded example of a dense city with quality public spaces but, how is nature faring? In this work I reviewed a diverse set of current nature strategies, walked the transect in two carefully chosen case studies and cross-checked with city data sources. How are the nature strategies affecting our city on the streets, in the squares and in more unexpected places? I needed to know. Along the way I saw for myself, and found other voices that suggested, new forms of nature hold the key.

Since ancient times, town planning has been conceived through the lens of health. To fit the health standard criteria, the city needed to adapt to the environmental conditions and provide living conditions for the population. One of the basic living conditions was the maintenance of temperature inside a comfortable range. That condition had to be achieved by traditional builders with solutions that were both low-cost and effective. However, to find these solutions, the traditional communities had to perceive the city in a different way than we do. Therefore, their perspective of the environment is studied and adapted to the contemporary city. Today, temperature is still a crucial condition for our health and survival, and its maintenance inside a comfortable range often requires a substantial investment of resources. Thus, our survival often depends upon the amount of resources we have, and this is only one of the factors that affect our vulnerability to heat stress. The vulnerability factors vary among the population and are not homogeneously distributed. However, the spaces we all share should not pose a risk to anyone using them. Since heat mitigation strategies are often expensive and the vulnerability factors are not equally distributed, it is hard to implement a solution desirable for everyone. To see how desires affect the choices, this study tests the different solutions for improving thermal comfort in public spaces and evaluates their performance with different value systems.

Adaptive reuse is considered among the strategies at the forefront of sustainable urban development, especially in cities with a strong heritage. This thesis investigates the adaptive reuse of industrial buildings in the Poblenou district, a historically important area of Barcelona. Adaptive reuse has recently begun to be mentioned as a supporter of urban renewal.This approach not only saves the architectural and cultural heritage; It also supports sustainability goals by reducing the need for new construction materials and reducing waste. The reuse of these industrial structures has the dual advantage of fulfilling the historical significance of the area as well as serving today's residential, commercial and cultural purposes.Such a study attempts to demonstrate how adaptive reuse can be used as a tool to balance the preservation of cultural heritage with the demands of modern urban development. In this context, this thesis will examine the economic, social, cultural and environmental impacts of adaptive reuse projects carried out in the Poblenou neighborhood, with the aim of clearly demonstrating how such initiatives can be implemented in other urban areas with similar historical contexts.Through historical analysis, case studies and statistical evaluation, the thesis tries to demonstrate the multidimensional benefits resulting from adaptive reuse and provide a set of recommendations for future urban development strategies in historically relevant industrial areas.

Public space is a crucial platform for social interaction, community engagement, and cultural expression, directly influencing the quality of public life in urban areas. This thesis presents a comparative analysis of public space quality and its impact on public life in three distinct public spaces of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area. The study investigates how spatial arrangements impact human behavior and social engagement, using a comparative research approach and Jan Gehl's methodology as a structure. By using observational surveys, demographic analysis, and activity mapping, the research aims to explore how public space design impacts the range of activities and user demographics. Key research questions focus on the attraction of diverse demographic groups, the types of activities observed, and how ground-floor conditions promote social engagement. The results show that various spatial environments cater differently to different demographic groups and activities, highlighting how better-quality public spaces lead to increased diversity in public life. The examination underscores the importance of lively ground-level activity and ease of access in influencing urban living, providing guidance for future sustainable interventions in public spaces, and striving to generate diverse and vibrant public areas.

Current urban planning and water management strategies often address issues like water scarcity and urban heat islands in isolation, missing opportunities for integrated and adaptive solutions. This study investigates how tackling the root causes of these challenges can lead to more sustainable and cost-effective outcomes. Focusing on La Pau, Barcelona, it identifies and utilizes negative spaces for sustainable water management. The research begins by discussing the need for integrated water management in urban environments and establishes indicators for identifying these underutilized areas effectively. Drawing on insights from the Barcelona Climate Plan, the study considers the city as a coherent, interconnected system. It highlights the importance of long-term impacts, such as the strategic addition of green spaces to improve water management and thermal comfort, while avoiding unintended consequences like increased carbon emissions. This comprehensive approach ensures that urban planning decisions are both informed and sustainable. The study concludes that the most effective strategy for sustainable water management in La Pau, Barcelona, is the implementation of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) approaches. These strategies provide integrated interventions that can adapt to climate change challenges. While high-tech purification systems are highly effective, their dependence on rainfall makes them less reliable in an unpredictable future.

Water sensitive Urban design is a holistic methodology that respects that natural processes while ensuring that humans needs are harmonious with the natural environment with the aim of improving water quality and quantity, biodiversity and amenity. The intent of this study is to provide a holistic proposal for urban regeneration through understanding the predicted future impacts of climate change on the city of Barcelona and the relationship between the population density and the water cycle. A case study of the neighborhood of La Pau in Barcelona is analyzed where water sensitive urban design strategies (rainwater harvesting, green roofs, greywater reuse and infiltration) are examined under different climatic and population density scenarios. The historical and socio-economic context are analyzed to get a holistic overview of the neighborhood. Additionally, the water cycle is analyzed with the classification of zones and building typology to assess the capacity of self-sufficiency. For each zone and typology, possible interventions are provided to assess the level of self sufficiency and the impact on water quality and quantity, amenity and biodiversity of the neighborhood. The conclusions highlight the necessity of accommodating for climate change parameters and changing social dynamic throughout the urban regeneration process

From the very dawn of human civilization, agriculture has stood as a cornerstone, a vital and irreplaceable part of our existence and the very fabric of our cities. The journey from crop cultivation to food production has been a complex and intricate one, adapting and evolving to meet the ever-changing needs and demands of our societies. In recent times, the food industry has undergone signifi cant transformations, driven by economic, political, and social factors. These changes have brought both challenges and opportunities, as farmers, producers, and consumers strive to adapt to new realities and explore innovative approaches to food production and distribution. Despite these challenges, there is a glimmer of hope. The modern food industry holds the potential to be more sustainable, equitable, and healthy than ever before, with the capacity to provide safe and nutritious food to people across the globe. By embracing new technologies, practices, and approaches, we can collaborate to construct a food system that caters to the needs of all, both now and in the promising future ahead, while also reducing CO₂ emissions. Modern urban areas frequently consist of concrete landscapes with few green spaces, posing environmental and social challenges. This thesis adopts a constructive approach, examining the potential of urban agriculture to help convert these concrete spaces into lively green areas. This transformation rejuvenates urban land and promotes sustainable city living, providing solutions to the issues brought about by urbanization.

This research explores the feasibility and potential of integrating solar-powered water reuse systems into residential buildings, with a focus on the A16-T and H5 typologies in La Pau, Barcelona. This research seeks to address problems regarding water scarcity and sustainable urban water management.

NatureVoids has been established with the goal of elucidating the discourses and cosmovisions that underpin the cultural landscape of the built environment. The project specifically examines the construction of urban nature as a collective imaginary, whereby the configuration of urban voids serves to reconfigure sites for emerging marginalities. The research employs a methodological approach that encompasses both quantitative and qualitative analysis of the territory through a case study of the Besòs basin.

Community gardens play a vital role in urban landscapes, fostering social bonds and promoting sustainability. This study looks into the many effects of community gardens on individuals and neighborhoods, with a focus on increasing resilience. The data was collected and evaluated from various community gardens in the urban setting of Barcelona using a mixed-methods methodology. The findings reveal that community gardens not only provide a space for cultivation but also serve as hubs for social interaction, knowledge exchange, and improved well-being. The research investigates how community gardens contribute to neighborhood resilience by improving food security, increasing social capital, and strengthening community bonds. Furthermore, this study investigates the impact of community gardens on social bonds and attachment through surveys and a conceptual framework. This study not only emphasizes the importance of community gardens in building resilient communities, but it also gives practical insights for urban planners, policymakers, and community organizers interested in designing and supporting these green spaces. We can better plan and nurture resilient urban landscapes that thrive in the face of adversity if we grasp the complicated web of social relationships and advantages woven by community gardens.

Catalonia has a long industrial history in Spain, being one of the most developed and fruitful regions, thus possessing an extensive industrial heritage that survives to this day, especially in the cities of Barcelona, Tarragona, Girona and Lleida. This study focused on the circularity of materials in the former Coca-Cola factory, built in 1965 and demolished in 2008, located in the city of Barcelona, Spain. In order to design an integrated project, an historical research was initially conducted into the La Verneda neighborhood, where the factory is located, its industrial context and the history of Coca-Cola in the city of Barcelona. As the main objective, the flow of materials in the factory was analyzed through a life cycle assessment in the cradle to grave method, followed by proposals and possibilities for models of reuse, adaptation and recycling of the factory's materials, proposing an in-depth study, understanding strategies, delving into the recent cradle-to-cradle concept and analyzing real building cases. The data was collected by analyzing old archives, conversations and interviews with companies that participated in the demolition of the factory. As a result, this study identifies, characterizes, analyses and discusses important contributions to the understanding of sustainable development, focusing on the analysis and circularity of materials.

Food communities, also referred to as food co-ops or consumer cooperatives, represent collectives of individuals united with the common goal of jointly procuring and managing the sourcing of various food and related products. These communities distinguish themselves through their shared values and objectives that revolve around sustainable, ethical, and health-conscious food consumption practices. Members of food communities often engage in collaborative efforts to endorse local producers, curtail their ecological footprint, and secure access to high-quality, frequently organic, food items. The study seeks to examine whether contemporary food communities mirror the consumption patterns of past organic food societies. To accomplish this, a comprehensive analysis was undertaken, tracing the historical roots of the cooperative movement up to the present day. The primary areas of investigation encompassed the size and legal framework of these communities, their proximity relationships with agroecological suppliers, and their governance models. By scrutinizing various case studies and diverse types of food communities, the study aimed to discern the optimal equilibrium between size, governance models, and the urban infrastructure necessary for the establishment of such initiatives. The objective is to demonstrate that while distinct models may function effectively within their specific contexts, amalgamating key components could lead to the creation of more efficient and impactful communities. As a pilot area, the neighborhood of La Pau in Barcelona, Spain, was utilized to test the hypothesis, particularly in light of the 15-minute city concept. This approach illuminated the neighborhood's disconnection from the broader territorial context. Given Barcelona's rich history of cooperative movements and its well-established, evenly distributed municipal markets, the study strives to synthesize various aspects of food communities into a vision for a Cooperative Market model. The study also delineates potential governance pathways that encompass considerations of ownership and investment. The installation of one or more food communities, utilizing profits for reinvestment in a more sustainable neighborhood, is anticipated to mitigate food poverty, enhance social cohesion, and elevate overall living standards within the community.

The research question of this master thesis carries within a hypothesis: that it is possible to restore a symbiotic relationship between the natural environment and the human species through a holistic methodology for planning and designing regenerative strategies in degraded rural territories, understanding the human habitability as part of the ecological system. The research uses, as case study for the methodology, a reinhabiting project under development in an Atlantic Forest Protection Area of the Serra da Mantiqueira, in Brazil. The methodology consists of four parts: 1. different approaches to the territory - geographical, hydrographical, forestal and historical - to understand the general context of the place; 2. narrative of different social metabolism models from the societies that inhabited the region, through analysis of historical and anthropological documentation; 3. GIS territorial analysis and diagnosis with ecological criteria, to identify limitations, opportunities and compatibilities with human activity; 4. guidelines for holistic planning and design possibilities that balances sustainable human habitability with ecological regeneration. The conclusions suggest a possible reconciliation between healthy habitability and natural environment, combining vernacular and modern knowledge to achieve comfort and close metabolic cycles, and acknowledges the importance of community as responsible for any project success.

Sustainable construction and energy efficiency in buildings are of paramount importance in today's global context. The construction sector stands as one of the largest consumers of natural resources and energy while significantly contributing to carbon emissions. In this context, the refurbishment of existing buildings is crucial for reducing the sector's environmental impact and advancing towards greater sustainability. This research aims to conduct an analysis of the economic impact, energy efficiency, and embodied energy implications of applying passive rehabilitation measures in different dwellings of Typology D-9 in the La Pau neighborhood. The specific objectives were achieved by affirming that among the simple refurbishment measures, exterior facade insulation stands out as the measure delivering the highest energy savings and a payback period of less than 6 years for all case studies. However, it involves a greater upfront investment. The renovation measure with the lowest percentage of energy savings, as well as the lowest investment volume and the most economically viable payback period is the replacement of single-pane glass with low emissivity double-glazed 4/16/4 glass, offering an average energy savings of 5%. Regarding combined measures, package 6 (a combination of exterior facade insulation with window replacements) stands out as the one providing the highest energy savings (averaging between 38.13% and 38.51%, depending on the material used) and an economic payback period of less than 10 years. However, it requires the highest upfront investment. Package 3, which combines air cavity insulation with the replacement of single-pane glass with low emissivity double-glazing, yields lower energy savings but at the same time requires a lower investment. As for embodied energy, PVC-framed windows and XPS as the exterior insulation material exhibit the highest consumption of primary energy.

A dialogue in active society aims to present the actions of neighbors of La Pau area in Barcelona as a flowing process between top-down planning and grassroots social action using a historiographical approach on the case study of La Pau neighbourhood in Barcelona. The aim is to understand how these social actions played a role in bridging the gap between the official plans and everyday needs and demands of inhabitants. Precisely, how did this social participation change their environment in its holistic understanding, with particular focus on social infrastructure within the built environment.

In the last decade, there has been a global increase in the popularity of urban cycling, driven by the essential need to address climate change and promote sustainable mobility options (Barker, 2022). This is also the case for Barcelona. Since the start of the Mobility Plan in 2011, the cycle network has expanded over the city. According to these plans, it wants to become a more bikeable city. This study will center on assessing the current bikeability of Barcelona. Additionally, a case study will be conducted to evaluate the existing bike infrastructure in specific locations within the city. To do this, the term bikeabilty first needs to be defined. According to many studies, there is no universal definition of the term. Bikeability is a mix of both objective and subjective factors, including concepts such as bicycle comfort, bicycle suitability, bicycle friendliness, bicycle safety, and bicycle accessibility (Julián Arellana, 2020). To measure and analyze the bikeablilty a study of all ten city districts was carried out. The indicators for bikeability are; topography, shade, density, land use and facilities, public transport transfers, bike sharing service, bicycle infrastructure, and safety. According to the bikeabilty index, the most significant disparities are between the flatter districts and those with more challenging elevated terrain. Besides topography, the most noticeable distinctions lies in bicycle infrastructure and bike sharing services. These are lacking in the more elevated districts of the city. Overall, Barcelona has an above-average bikeability rating, with the L'Eixample district being the top-performing area according to the index. Generally, the bicycle infrastructure examined in the case study has some good and bad points. The infrastructure on Pçasseig de Tetuan stands out as the most favorable due to the amount of space for cyclists and the reduction of high-speed conflict points. The main conclusion from this research is that Barcelona is bikeable. The case study reveals both strengths and weaknesses in Barcelona's bicycle infrastructure. Presently, the city's infrastructure predominantly prioritizes central districts, despite the bikeability index suggesting that many areas are suitable for cycling. However, Barcelona has plans outlined in the Mobility plan to address and improve this situation in the future.

Neighborhood facilities possess remarkable potential to transcend their primary roles and holistically serve the community. They wield significant influence in shaping urban landscapes, enhancing sustainability, and fostering community well-being. When community needs arise, these spaces could dynamically function as possible solutions by adapting schedules and exploring alternative uses, all while ensuring inclusivity and accessibility, thereby empowering the community through the extended functionality of existing compact spaces. This fresh perspective reframes the perception of facilities in La Pau, a neighborhood case study in Barcelona, highlighting their vast potential and emphasizing their multifunctional nature to improve the urban habitability. It identifies existing gaps and latent opportunities, seeking to transform all neighborhood facilities into a compact network. Through site visits, observations, resident surveys, research, and other sources, this work aims to develop a methodology for diagnosing and constructing a bridge to explore a new perspective on architectural optimization in La Pau, replicable for similar cases. Far from providing absolute truths, it seeks to offer an alternative approach that could serve as a foundation for future researchers interested in the adaptation of this historic and significant neighborhood to contemporary needs, utilizing existing facilities