Twenty-first century urban transformations in Barcelona Old Town: Santa Caterina Market, Pou de la Figuera square, and Born Centre Cultural

Abstract

The Casc Antic of Barcelona (the current neighborhood of Sant Pere, Santa Caterina and La Ribera, in the district of Ciutat Vella) has recently experienced an intense process of social and urban transformation. These shifts are observed in the sociodemographic composition of the population, in the evolution of the commercial activities and in the use of public and cultural spaces. Using a qualitative methodology, with interviews to the neighbors and other relevant social agents and participant observations, this paper aims to show the social implications of three urban interventions recently developed (Santa Caterina’s market, Pou de la Figuera and Born Cultural Center) that have transformed this central area increasing its economic and symbolic value. The study emphasizes the important role played by the social movements that emerged in the neighborhood as an answer to these interventions.

Keywords: gentrification, urban intervention, Casc Antic, neighborhood movements,
Barcelona.