The Politics of architecture in Barcelona

Abstract

This paper examines the nature of architectural policy in contemporary Barcelona, by considerng the recent development of iconic buildings such as the Torre Agbar and Fòrum 2004 site by international architects. It is argued that the urban policy pursued in the development of these areas will potentially undermine the citys long-cherished commitment to public space and urban context, and actually represents a retreat from the earlier years of the democratic city councils urban policy.