Vast open public space at the first glance all devoted to pedestrians, few minor streets were visible from our standpoint. Slowly all the magnitude of the content, attention to details and recognition of social urban needs was revealed. It took me a second walk, few days latter, to completely comprehend the urban value of this renewal project.

First initiatives for revitalization of this square dates back to 1995. Following similar initiatives for urban renewal in Barcelona planning board was formed and design team with architect Albert Viaplana, as its leader, was selected.

The mediator was brought because she was a professional and had recognition from her work in Girona (where she was given an award for her service). Her main approach was based on creating a "participatory" process. In her words: "Spain is far from the level of citizen participation (of Switzerland for example) but they are trying – they are making declarations of intentions. In this case its not a declaration of intentions, it’s the only way I do things, I don’t know how to do them in another way.

Natural slope of the terrain was emphasized so the visual impact of the square is pedestrian oriented. All the bus stops are moved out of the square along the incoming streets and consequence is minimal traffic congestion.

Being so close to the very traditional and preserved environment of former independent city of Gracia [visit our portrait of the square in the Gracia district]. Involvement and interest of the neighbourhood is understandable. All along the planning process, during the construction and especially after opening of the square in april 2009 criticism, suggestions and occasionally even frustration was expressed. Most of the "calling for action" and proposals are taken in consideration and implemented.

I would really like to show you [with follow up photos and explanation] amount of observation and scrutiny and, of course, effort from the designers and city officials to meet needs of the concerned citizens.

The other aspect of the successful urban renewal project is every day utilization. Sights recorded on my several strools true the area of this square will proof that the joint effort of the community and planners is showing results that can serve as an example how problems of public placa of this size and complicated needs can be solved to the satisfaction and benefit to all.

Seats are positioned very smartly in groups, slightly turned to each other, or in some cases away from each other. Need for privacy is taken in consideration.

Especially during the bright, and always pleasant, evenings it is admired spot for young couples or just people who are looking for the lonely spot.

As mentioned before very heavy traffic was main reason for this renewal process.

120.000 vehicles are traversing this square daily. 12 bus and two metro lines and 20.000 pedestrians.

My personal affection for urban art–shapes was actually main reason for my second visit to this plaça few days later. They were attractive and quite unusual enhancing visual impact of the space. I've heard that in the initial plans, requested by the locals, all of these shapes were much more modest and wood was intended material.

Of course this way [using steel] planners were in a position to make much more compelling forms, mixed with water, greenery and very impresive lighting.

Content on this plaça is so rich. It is obviously requested by locals and influenced by local traditions and needs. Just four months after partial completion it is already intensively used by local community.

Space is even silent enough for evening nap. Notice the young lady, sleeping in the top left corner of the photo with the 3 people bellow left.

On the other side of the auditorium in the nice shade beneath the stands, there are a well executed courts for the traditional [all over Mediterranean] game of "bocce".

Bocce originated in Italy, back in Roman times, and is one of the oldest of all lawn bowling games.

Most pleasant part of the day for this game is, of course evening and night, so playgrounds are equipped with very efficient lighting system. It is mainly popular with older population but while courts are without players it is ideal space to meet your companions from other generation.

Just recording all the details took my breath away [literally and metaphorically]. Nice, colorful and functional design for bus stands protecting passengers from wind, rain or sun, traditional fountains with drinking water [b.t.w. they can be found all over Barcelona, very very appropriate for hot summer months], very attractive lighting system etc. Even the regular light pools are specially designed for this space. Notice that they are not vertical, this slight angle is adding additional points of interest everywhere.

Most complains in the process of revitalization of Plaça Lesseps and after it was finished was insufficiency of greenery. It is very understandable that this is main concern, during the day in summer months when temperature is reaching 35˚C! Of course this will come with time.

One of the problems that planting large trees over the tunnel with limited options is impossible. Some of the hanging gardens, are cleverly planted in those areas. Some park like areas with water features, one even crossing the street and bringing the pleasant sound of running water, are everywhere. I hope that over time trees will grow bigger and even more of them are going to be planted.

Nobody is forgotten. Pets have their own area, lot of grass, water and their owners place to enjoy chat with the fellow dog lovers.

Public transportation in Barcelona is very important, and as I already mentioned 20.000 pedestrians are traversing this plaça every day. Most of them are using numerous bus lines or metro line running underground. Well designed colorful entrances are clearly marked.

Community is still alert, organized, very protective of their success and very vocal about what was expected but not there jet. It is encouraging similar initiatives elsewhere in Barcelona, Spain and EU. What we can learn from this process is how essential this participatory approaches are.

To my surprise elevators for disable people or people with kids, strollers or elderly are in the middle of the open space [photo right] making it very convenient to get where you are going.

Why I am so impressed by this square? Plaça Lesseps is not the most attractive or most "anything" square. I was impressed, probably because I am looking from the North American perspective and nostalgic reminiscence to my previous life in Europe.

The other aspect, extremely important to me was my interest in psychogeography, participatory urbanism and influence of citizens on urban democracy.

"Shared culture is also referred to as intangible cultural capital, which has been described as “ideas, traditions and customs shared by a group of people,” including intellectual capital. A diverse, cohesive community is one where each citizen’s ideas, traditions, and customs are shared with the collective, and sometimes re-invented together. in the resulting mosaic, the different cultures and generations making up the community are respected, leading to social cohesion and, often, an important sense of individual comfort. Participatory arts is an enormously useful tool in the community building process."

"By social creativity they understand the energy, ideas, and experiences that arise from citizens. social creativity makes conflict visible, strengthens the sentiment of belonging to a community, and opens the possibility of creating viable alternatives.

For that reason, we consider it necessary to value and support these initiatives confirming their role within the transformation/ construction of the city."

Of course site is only on Catalan language. Most interesting part, in my opinion, is ecological map covering public usage, traffic, future development and population, waste, energy and water usage and other environmental activities. this part is available on English. [http://www.mapaecologic.net]

"Discovery of participation as one of the priorities within development has led to the search for means to promote it. Some donors have sought to use participatory development projects and programmes to strengthen civic associations and create new mechanisms through which state institutions can be held responsible for their actions. It is in this light that the participation and governance debates have led donors to collaborate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs), and to support locally derived solutions to poverty alleviation and “sustainable development”. (2)

As a conclusion I would like to quote O. Solovieva's article "Barcelona dream: Plaça Ferdinand de Lesseps" published in daily blogzine on culture, politics and academic life: "while stepping firmly and safely over the plaza’s dancing double-deck in happy fulfillment of my long-cherished desire for the urban sublime, I was contemplating the audaciousness of Spanish architects which can be observed everywhere in Barcelona. From Gaudí’s cave-like, organic buildings to Viaplana’s stormy plaza, urban planning here is not calculated to insulate culture from nature, as is the case in most European cities, but rather the other way around: it is meant to challenge the safe notion of culture, with its geometrical and symmetrical forms, by imitation of the unwieldy elements. Barcelona’s urban landscape is sublime by definition. In awe of the dark play of the elements, this culture does not shy away from facing and subduing them at the very limit of the destructive. The audacity of Barcelona’s urban spaces attests to profound spiritual security and rationality, to a mentality that is not afraid to be challenged."

That's why Plaça Lesseps deserves perfect score in my evaluation system. Plaça is more than simple urban square equal to others. It is combining values and functions of the higher level. Urban life is reaching level of ultimate integration of needs and achievements, environmental health and well-being of both local citizens and their government representatives.

(1) Ljiljana Simic, Brussels, Belgium, Innovative cultural practices: Local Models of Participatory Art Projects in the Framework of SUS. DIV. project.

(2) Diana Mitlin and John Thompson, Participatory approaches in urban areas: strengthening civil society or reinforcing the status quo, Environment and Urbanization 1995; 7; 231 [p233]

(3) Eric Paulos, Ian Smith, R. J. Honicky: RE: REempower and REcycle, Carnegie Mellon University, Year 2007.

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Since posting this article in August 2009 I received several quite oppressed opinions about this square.

November 2011: "I do know Plaza Lesseps and with Vilaplana permission, I would say that is a misallocation of resources. Time have passed and still hurting one sight. Too many elements together!!! and NO SENSE OF PLACE at all. I will never grade it so gentle!" – Architect Isabel Sanchez, teaching about Public Spaces in Barcelona.

September 2009: Martin from Barcelona: "Yeah, to judge from the banners people living in houses round the square hung on their balconies, and the letters to the local press, looks like you're in a minority there, Aleksandar! People in Barcelona have always hated the concreted-over squares that they always get. Read the letters to the editor in the local papers, if you want to know what people think."
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For the end compare old Plaça Lesseps [photo in the middle below] with the new ones, what do you think? [info@urbansquares.com]