Urban Design: Barcelona - Case Study Example

Urban Design It is believed that we live in an extraordinary time. With the increased rural urban migration, more people reside live in the urban areas more than the countryside. This has led to various adjustments to our environment and as we aproach a destiny dependant on our citie, how are we preparing economically, environmentally, socially, spiritually? How can we think globally while acting locally? The answer to these questions lie on Urban Design. Lets think beyond the visual physical and tangible parts, but as part of the economic, social and environmental effects on our lives. Urban design has brought about ways of enjoying a sustainable life while preservin our environment (Mumford 01). Lets take a detailed look at Barcelona and how its enjoying the benefits of globalization thanks to urban design. Barcelona stands as the second largest city in spain, with a population of over 1.5 milion. It’s a cosmopolitan city and was founded by the Romans after which its rule was raffered to muslim control. During the Middle Ages, went through a phase that made it grow in all aspects of city life. Currently it’s the apital of the county of Barcelona. Where is Barcelona? Located on the northern coast of Iberian Peninsula, it has a clear view of the mediterrenean Sea. It sits on 101km2 of the 170km2 plain limited by the range of Colleserola (Hatherley 93). Its relief structure is complemented by two rivers Llobregat and Besos to the north and south resspectively. These and more makes barcelona a major tourist attraction. It boasts of ancient artchitetchure like the La Sagrada Familia, a temple that has been under constructin for over a century. The Fc Barcelona museums are also a must see when you visit the Sun City. Barcelona experiences a mediterranean climate making the exploitation of solar energy an easy task. Although many cities in the world have witnessed the perks and fails of Urban Design, Barcelona has truly been a success story. Its dense popullation and limited space hasn’t stopped it from achieving world class standards in environmental conservation. Its has embraced urban design and has constructively planned for the future. How did this Solar Thermal Ordinance begin? The project started in 1999 given a political decision made to promote energy sustainabilty and the use of renewable energy. As an outcome of this legislation barcelona rushed into establishments of initiatives with measurable energy objectives .with the approval of the Barcelona Energy Improvement plan (PMEB), a ten year energy plan (2000-2010),the city aimed to reverse trends and reduce carborn emissions. The above plan has formed a clear framework for the cities energy policy providing a set of 55 local ranging from normative actions to educative programs. Such policies gave birth to impressive results, the solar heaters increased in numbers and the enrgy levels are of good measure. In 2008 for example the amount power generated by the panels was equvalent to that of a 7.4MW power plant.its carborn emissions have reuced by 20% in the past decade. The solar project in barcelona was a success thanks to their organization and implementation methods. It was not a simple lead and follow project, promotion policies , demonstation projects, management instruments and legal instuments are each a part of the system to make the project a part of everyday life. It wasn’t just something the government requires you to take part in. how do these aspects work? Promotion policies is simply information and awarenes campaigns . the local governments in Barcelona put a lot of effort into raising awareness for solar Energy in schools to prepare young citizens at an early stage to embrace the perks of sustainable energy. The installation in schools seals the concept in students minds providing a first hand look at solar energy usage (Brook 94). The promotion policy aspect of the strategy is extreemely important as it helps distribute the neccesory information around. Demonstration projects is the next strategy deployed by the government in Barcelona. It coincides with the promotion policies as its main focus is public education on solar energy. It goes further ahead to demonstrate how the project has worked so far. Social ammenities in he country has solar panels installed thus giving the public a first hand demonstration. With such touch points as the above, the idea of solar energy becomes a natural part of life. To accompny the demonstrations the Barcelona Energy Improvement Plan (PMEB) and the Barcelona Energy Agency are the two major management instruments placed by the government to keep the city on check an to further promote solar energy use (Challenge of Environmental Policy Integration 43). The PMEB outlines the work of Barcelona city council in regards to its energy policies and impacts on the environment. It analyzes the situation in Barcelona and its main purpose is to ensure that the city of barcelona remains ahead of the curve for sustainable energy. The Management instruments works closely with the legal instruments. The solar Thermal Ordinance is the legal instrument in Barcelona, its one of the projects of PMEB and is managed by the Barcelona Energy Agency. Legal instruments clearly affect the implemenation of solar energy throughout the city; with the govenments involvement and support, more can get done and this necessary change is guaranteed to be a success. Generally , barcelonas’ soar power project did not come on a silver platter. Yes its location was a bonus, but the willingness of its population participation played a major role.their four pronged approach discussed above was clearly at the forefront. The city’s government recognized the need for organization and a good strategy through promotion policies, demonsration projects, and management and legal instruments. The approach taken by Barcelona is one that should be on every country’s sticky notes, it could be cumbersome at first but the project has more pros than cons if you ask me. For example the country saves a lot when it comes to energy as opposed to countries like Kenya that runs an economy that’s fully dependant on fossil fuels. This leads to better opportunities to in other sectors. For example in Barcelona, t his has eventually sprouted other sectors like trade and tourism hence making it a strong economy with a well catered for population. From the information given it is clear that Barcelona is a solar energy champion and has a lot to teach the rest of the world. But not every city in the world will be able to produce the results seen in Barcelona. San Francisco has many similar characteristics; however, that makes it a prime candidate for solar energy implementation and eventual success. If San Francisco studies the efforts and success of Barcelona, the city will be able to see their similarities. A careful plan of action will propel San Francisco to world leader status in solar energy and become an excellent model for the rest of the United States. Barcelona has never imitated—it has always continued to invent. All things Gaudí give as much pleasure as the extraordinary wrought-iron lampposts on the Passeig de Gràcia; the city’s grandest boulevard, it brilliantly combines street lighting with exquisite ceramic-tile mosaic seats, reminders that this is a place in which feeling and function can’t be separated (Bell 43). Urban design has changed the face of the earth not only through the built environment but the creation of sustainable lives and most importantly creating ways of accessing renewable energy. It’s a sector that should be given if not full, plenty of audience. This should be a challenge to the emerging economies given the success struck in Barcelona In consequence, there is a steadily growing demand for highly educated professionals in the field of sustainable urban design, and a demand for responsive education.  The disciplines of architecture, landscape architecture and city planning are all considered in urban design. The aims of urban design are clear therefore should be enforced. Only then will we have more of Barcelona and other Eco- friendly cities. Works Cited Bell, Daniel, and Avner De-Shalit. The Spirit of Cities: Why the Identity of a City Matters in a Global Age. Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press, 2011. Print. Brook, Daniel. A History of Future Cities. New York: W. W. Norton, 2013. Print. Challenge of Environmental Policy Integration: A Multi-Level Governance Perspective. , 2013. Internet resource. Hatherley, Owen. A Guide to the New Ruins of Great Britain. S.l.: Verso, 2014. The Environment Journal Mumford, Lewis. The City in History: Its Origins and Transformations, and Its Prospects. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, 1961. Print. Read More