Day 1 – Site Visits
During the first day of the twinning visit, the Leuven delegation explored several emblematic sites in Barcelona that illustrate how the city integrates co-governance, greening strategies, and nature based solutions into its urban transformation.
The visit began at Walden 7, where the group reflected on forms of community living and shared governance, and continued at Parc de les Glòries, Carrer de Bolívia, and Passeig de Sant Joan Boulevard, where the delegation observed how NbS can be embedded into mobility corridors and public squares to improve ecological connectivity and everyday liveability.
In the Poblenou neighbourhood, the Superilla 9 (Superblock) showcased Barcelona’s pioneering approach to reclaiming streets for people and nature. The group also visited the Isabel Vila Allotment, a clear example of co-governance in practice, and the Museu Can Framis, where the redesign of outdoor areas demonstrates how former industrial sites can be reactivated through green infrastructure and cultural programming, adding new layers of urban nature to the district.
Together, these visits highlighted Barcelona’s integrated approach to NbS, co-governance, and urban greening —offering valuable inspiration for Leuven’s ongoing work within the JUSTNature project and NbS in the city.
Day 2 - Meeting with the Barcelona City Council
Barcelona representatives presented the city's urban context, planning history and strategic use of public space and green infrastructure as core instruments for social equity and climate adaptation. The city outlined its high-density conditions, long-term planning modifications and phased transformation approach since the 1980s. Equal-quality public space standards across neighbourhoods were emphasised as a deliberate strategy to reduce inequalities.
Key greening and public space projects were presented, including some related to walkability and traffic reduction, as well as others focused on cooling and de-sealing. Special attention was given to the Superblock model, where temporary, tactical interventions serve as testing phases before permanent implementation.
Climate adaptation challenges such as heat waves, flooding and social vulnerability were highlighted. Barcelona stressed that as a fully built city, improving urban quality and green infrastructure is the primary pathway for resilience.
Justice, Inclusion and Citizen Engagement: Mans al Verd (“Hands to the Green”) was presented as a key participatory pillar of Barcelona’s Urban Nature Plan 2021–2030. The programme promotes citizen involvement in the care and stewardship of green spaces, addressing biodiversity loss, social isolation and environmental awareness.
Day 3 - Urban Nature Plan, Maintenance and Strategic Integration
On the third day, Barcelona presented the Urban Nature Plan and UNP+, highlighting its role as an integrative framework combining climate adaptation, biodiversity, public health and social inclusion. The importance of ambitious, quantitative targets (e.g. increasing green space per inhabitant) was underlined as a means to ensure continuity across legislative periods and foster cross-departmental cooperation.
Barcelona’s experience demonstrated how UNP+ has positioned the city as a lighthouse for integrated urban nature planning, both internally and internationally.
A guided field visit with the Munich delegation followed, showcasing implemented and ongoing projects in Barcelona combining mobility transformation and urban greening. The visit illustrated the effectiveness of tactical urbanism, green infrastructure and traffic reduction when applied at different urban scales.
Overall, the Twinning Knowledge Exchange in Barcelona demonstrated how long-term strategic vision, ambitious targets, tactical implementation and citizen participation can be successfully combined to transform dense urban environments. Barcelona’s experience offers valuable guidance for Munich and Leuven in advancing justice-oriented, climate-resilient and inclusive urban green planning within the JUSTNature framework.
