Joining Copenhagen and Rio de Janeiro, Barcelona has been named the UIA’s 2026 World Capital of Architecture by UNESCO. This title recognizes the city’s commitment to promoting the values of architecture, urban planning, and sustainability. Outshining Beijing as the other contender for the 2026 title, Barcelona won the bid with its proposal titled “One today, one tomorrow,” with a plan to host a series of transformative events across all its districts and become a research laboratory analyzing the capacity of architecture to transform reality over time.
For ten months, from the festival of Santa Eluàlia in February to Santa Llúcia in December, the city plans to be alive with a wide array of activities aimed at public engagement. According to the city’s latest update, the calendar will include exhibitions, guided architectural routes, workshops, open doors to significant buildings, installations, and high-level conferences.
The mayor, Juame Collboni, and the UNESCO-UIA have presented a comprehensive approach to educating and involving citizens in architectural discourse. Mayor Callboni highlighted the dual goals of these initiatives: to deepen the public understanding of architecture’s role in societal enhancement and to foster a new appreciation for the existing urban landscape. The initiative also plans for an impactful opening and closing ceremony, featuring the illumination of UNESCO World Heritage sites throughout the city, adding a visual celebration of Barcelona’s architectural heritage.
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Barcelona City Guide: 23 Places to See in Gaudi’s BirthplaceMoreover, an open call invites not just local but also international entities to contribute to the diverse program, ensuring that the World Capital of Architecture year leaves a lasting legacy that extends far beyond 2026. This inclusive approach is a testament to Barcelona's commitment to fostering a global architectural community. In addition to local events, Barcelona will host the International Union of Architect’s World Congress, facilitating global dialogue on architecture. This congress, along with ongoing special events planned throughout the year, aims to showcase Barcelona as a model city that embodies the principles of inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability in its urban fabric.
In other similar news in Barcelona, the long-awaited completion of the Sagrada Familia is expected to take place in 2026, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudi’s death. This year, The European Nomadic Biennial, Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana has unveiled a decentralized program spanning the city’s landscape from September 8th to November 24th.
Established in 1948, The International Union of Architects (UIA) is a non-governmental organization is supported by UNESCO, and aims to highlight the role of architecture and urban planning in shaping a sustainable future and tackling global challenges. Designated triennially, the city's World Capital of Architecture will become an international forum for debate around issues related to the urban environment.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on April 15, 2024.
