Barcelona: Field School
The Program
Lessons learned and best practices in this beautiful people-centered city.
Engage with the architects, planners and civic leaders who have transformed Barcelona through Superblocks, School Streets, grassroots initiatives. The Barcelona Field School is for city leaders, planning professionals, architects, urban designers and all those working to transform cities. You will learn how the city has created high-quality public spaces from the senior planning officials who have led this transformation.
This carefully curated program, brings together a small group of experts to have exclusive access to the former mayor of Barceona, the chief architect (2019-2023), current city council members, grassroots leaders and environmental activists. Together, we will walk through the streets of Barcelona to see how city officials have radically changed streetscapes to improve residents’ health and quality of life. You will immerse yourself in the life of the city through conversations with city leaders, advocates, and academics, in order to understand the how Barcelona has changed and what lessons can be brought back to your city.
Schedule
Day 1
Urban Transformation
- Discover Barcelona’s urban history with a visit to the City History Museum (MUHBA)
- Appreciate the layers of Barcelona’s evolving urban form, from its Roman origins to Cerdà’s rational grid, to contemporary high quality public spaces.
- Engage with local experts on the city’s efforts to prioritize spaces for people.
Day 2
Inclusive Streets
- Learn about Barcelona’s efforts to make streets safer, accessible and more inclusive for children, seniors and vulnerable groups
- Engage with city planners about the School Streets Program and its impact on safer, child-friendly environments
- Learn about Barcelona’s internationally recognized city ‘Play Strategy’
Day 3
Superblocks Masterclass
- Focus on superblocks with a masterclass by urban expert Silvia Cassorán
- Bike tour from Poblenou to Sant Antoni
- Explore the Superblock Consell de Cent with Xavi Matilla, Barcelona’s former Chief Architect
Day 4
Green Spaces
- Visit Park Güell, where the genius architect Antoni Gaudí deployed his skills as a landscape architect and urban planner
- Visit the City Hall and meet with city officials
Day 5
Grassroots Innovation
- Ride the Bike Bus. An unforgettable bike ride with kids and families
- Discover the City of Care in a walking tour with Col·lectiu Punt 6, Feminist Urban Planners
- Visit Sagrada Familia. The iconic masterpiece designed by Antoni Gaudí
Pre-Registration
Fee & Deposit
Includes
- Meetings with key officials and city planners who have led the transformation of Barcelona
- A ‘Planner’s Guide to Visiting Barcelona’ that highlights special sites for planners and urban designers
- Audio support for walking tours
- Walking tours and site visits
- Bike rentals
- 5 nights accommodation at a Casa Gràcia
- All breakfasts and three group meals
To reserve your spot make a deposit for $885 USD. Deposits are fully refundatble until March 31th 2026. Early bird discount (10%) until January 31st. Full program payment is due by April 10th 2026.
Accomodation & Logistics
Rooms have been reserved at Casa Gràcia in the walkable neighborhood of Gràcia, conveniently and centrally located so that all sites are minutes away. The program will run from Monday evening to Friday evening. Participants should plan to arrive Monday afternoon and depart Saturday morning.
Meet the Experts
Jordi Honey-Rosés is a research professor in urban planning at the Institute for Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB) at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona where he leads the research group City Lab Barcelona. His research examines the impact of urban programs and policies with a focus on urban experimentation. Prior to joining ICTA-UAB, Dr. Honey-Rosés was a planning professor at the School of Community and Regional Planning at the University of British Columbia (2013-2021). While at the University of British Columbia he received the prestigious Killam Teaching Award. Most recently, Dr. Honey-Rosés has been leading a research program on active mobility, school streets, bike bus, citizen science, BiciZen, bicycle parking and bicycle theft. A California native, with Catalan roots, Dr. Honey-Rosés has walked the streets of Barcelona since his childhood and is passionate about urban history. He is thrilled to oversee the professional education programs at City Lab Discovery, which serve as a bridge between city leaders, planners and civic change makers from around the world.
Matilla was Chief Architect of the city of Barcelona (2019 – 2023). During this period, he lead many urban transformations with the aim of achieving a healthier, friendlier and fairer cities. During his tenure as Chief Architect, he oversaw the Barcelona Superblock project, a transformational program that has made city streets greener, healthier and with stronger social and economic relations. He also implemented Barcelona’s School Streets program, Protegim les Escoles, which has improved the environmental quality and safety of more than 200 school environments, as well as public space transformations on Meridiana Avenue, Parc de Glòries and Via Laietana, among others. Co-founder of Territoris XLM, an office dedicated to urban planning and public space design. Professor at the Department of Urbanism, Territory and Landscape (DUTP) at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) and at the Master Metropoli at Metropoli Institute of Barcelona (IMB).
Sílvia Casorrán Martos (Barcelona, 1979) has a degree in Environmental Sciences and an MBA, with studies in The Netherlands (Utrecht) and in Mexico (Guadalajara). She has 20 years of professional experience in the fields of sustainable mobility and the transformation of public space, working from both private and public sector. From 2015-2020 she was the lead officer at the Cycling Office for the Barcelona Metropolitan Area, a role she founded, and she coordinated the Cycling Cities Network in Spain. In the period 2019-2023 she served as the Mobility Councillor for Sant Martí District in Barcelona. In the period 2021-2023 she served as Deputy to the Chief Architect in Barcelona. For more than 15 years she has been an activist among sustainable mobility social movements.
Physician and politician known for his impact on the city’s urbanism.
As Mayor (1997–2006), he led the renewal of 250 hectares, enhancing public spaces and mobility while reinforcing Barcelona’s reputation for innovative urban planning. Previously, he played a key role in preparing the city for the 1992 Olympics. Later, as Executive Director of UN-Habitat (2010–2017), he helped shape the New Urban Agenda.
As Mayor (1997–2006), he led the renewal of 250 hectares, enhancing public spaces and mobility while reinforcing Barcelona’s reputation for innovative urban planning. Previously, he played a key role in preparing the city for the 1992 Olympics. Later, as Executive Director of UN-Habitat (2010–2017), he helped shape the New Urban Agenda.
Councilor at the Barcelona City Council (2022-2023). Over 15 years of experience promoting and advocating for local policies and sustainable urban development, both within the City Council’s Economic Promotion Department and, for the past eleven years, at UN-Habitat.
She is also a driving force behind the Bicibús initiative in Barcelona and a member of Revolta Escolar and Eixample Respira, advocating for cleaner, more democratic, and inclusive public spaces for all.
She is also a driving force behind the Bicibús initiative in Barcelona and a member of Revolta Escolar and Eixample Respira, advocating for cleaner, more democratic, and inclusive public spaces for all.
Sociologist from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Master in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois and PhD in Planning from the University of British Columbia.
Part of Col·lectiu Punt 6, cooperative made up of architects, sociologists, and urban planners that rethink domestic, community, and public spaces from a feminist perspective.
Worked with different organizations and institutions on integrating the gender perspective and addressing violence against women in El Salvador, Mexico, and the United States.
Part of Col·lectiu Punt 6, cooperative made up of architects, sociologists, and urban planners that rethink domestic, community, and public spaces from a feminist perspective.
Worked with different organizations and institutions on integrating the gender perspective and addressing violence against women in El Salvador, Mexico, and the United States.
Environmental activist in Barcelona.
As a member and spokesperson for Eixample Respira he advocates for significant reductions in private vehicle usage within the Eixample district, one of the city’s most polluted areas.
Domínguez is also actively involved in Revolta Escolar, a movement striving for safer and healthier environments around educational institutions, highlighting the adverse effects of vehicular emissions on children’s health and to demand the pacification of school surroundings.
As a member and spokesperson for Eixample Respira he advocates for significant reductions in private vehicle usage within the Eixample district, one of the city’s most polluted areas.
Domínguez is also actively involved in Revolta Escolar, a movement striving for safer and healthier environments around educational institutions, highlighting the adverse effects of vehicular emissions on children’s health and to demand the pacification of school surroundings.
Architect and landscape architect specializing in urban and landscape planning.
As Executive Director of the Landscape Architecture Office at the College of Architects of Catalonia, she plays a key role in promoting sustainable urbanism.
Member of the Executive and Scientific Committee of the International Landscape Biennial of Barcelona, advocating for innovative and ecological urban spaces.
As Executive Director of the Landscape Architecture Office at the College of Architects of Catalonia, she plays a key role in promoting sustainable urbanism.
Member of the Executive and Scientific Committee of the International Landscape Biennial of Barcelona, advocating for innovative and ecological urban spaces.
Civil Engineer specialized in Transport, Canals, and Ports from UPC, with additional studies in transportation at the Technical University of Denmark (Copenhagen).
His expertise lies in consultancy for transport, logistics, and territorial planning, as well as environmental assessment and sustainable mobility management.
His expertise lies in consultancy for transport, logistics, and territorial planning, as well as environmental assessment and sustainable mobility management.
What they say
”Anyone keen to learn more about urban sustainability will love this course. Combining insights from Barcelona’s elected officials,staff and activists with active bike and walking tours of the latest globally renowned developments, you will learn from the people who made it all happen.
Linda NowlanSenior Director, Sustainability Hub University of British Columbia
”Inspirational and uplifting … I had a spectacular time living in an urban planning nerd’s dream.
Jeffrey CucinottaSenior Planner, City of Sunnyvale
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