Placemaking practices in Spain prioritize collaboration between different stakeholders to create attractive and sustainable public spaces. The approach emphasizes community involvement, local context, and design principles that reflect the cultural heritage and diversity of Spain. Youth are often included in these practices through participatory design workshops, youth councils, and community events that provide opportunities for young people to voice their opinions and contribute to the planning and design process.

One example of placemaking in Spain is the “Madrid Río” project, which involved the transformation of a neglected urban highway into a 10-kilometer park along the Manzanares River in Madrid. The project involved collaboration between local governments, community groups, and design professionals to create a new public space that prioritized pedestrian and cyclist mobility, ecological sustainability, and cultural heritage. Youth were involved in the project through various engagement strategies, including youth councils, public art installations, and community events that showcased young people’s talents and contributions to the park’s development (Preston, 2016).

Another example of youth involvement in placemaking practices is the “Juventud y Espacio Público” program, which empowers young people to participate in urban planning processes and decision-making. The program involves a series of workshops and training sessions that teach youth about urban planning, design, and community engagement, culminating in a youth-led project to improve a public space in their neighborhood. The program has been successful in promoting youth participation and fostering a sense of ownership and belonging among young people in their communities (Ministerio de la Presidencia, Relaciones con las Cortes y Memoria Democrática, n.d.).

Overall, placemaking practices in Spain prioritize sustainability, cultural heritage, and community involvement in creating attractive and livable public spaces. Youth are often included in these practices through engagement strategies that promote their participation and input in the design and development of public spaces.

References:

Ministerio de la Presidencia, Relaciones con las Cortes y Memoria Democrática. (n.d.). Juventud y Espacio Público. Retrieved from https://www.mscbs.gob.es/gabinetePrensa/notaPrensa/docs/PG_Juventud_Espacio_Publico.pdf

Preston, M. (2016). Placemaking in Madrid: Revitalizing public spaces through urban design. Retrieved from https://www.asla.org/ContentDetail.aspx?id=49191