The Municipality of Barcelona is seeking ways of making vacant neighbourhood spaces – both indoor and out – more sustainable with proposals that bring value to the community and create opportunities for economic growth. As well as kick-starting the economy of neighbourhoods in decline, solutions should aim for social inclusion and community involvement.

These solutions might include:

• activities in areas that are currently unused to promote business opportunities for retail or other businesses.
• solutions with a social focus, for example, projects to fight youth unemployment, cultural activities for people at risk of exclusion, integrated activities for multiculturalism and social cohesion, projects that empower women and girls to combat gender inequality, and/or sustainability activities.

Barcelona has a population of more than 1.6 million in an area of 100km² divided into 10 districts and 73 neighbourhoods. The City welcomes solutions that tackle urban blight by promoting both social and economic growth.

Solutions could include data collection and analysis to enable the effective identification and early detection of neighbourhoods in need of attention. A methodology for compiling an inventory of suitable spaces would also be welcome as would a technological platform to support the implementation, monitoring and analysis of the solution. Solutions should have sustainable business models that can be managed either by the City or outside agencies or organisations.

See also:

• Ajuntament de Barcelona www.bcn.cat
• Online Market Study tool w141.bcn.cat