International experts reflect on how we live in, view, and transform cities

The lecture by John A. Powell, director of the Institute for Otherness and Belonging at the University of California, Berkeley, kicked off the proceedings on May 29. Under the title “Cities That Build Belonging Through Trust,” Powell explored the need to create urban spaces that foster cohesion and mutual recognition—one of the central pillars of critical thinking in urban education.

The morning continued with a discussion between Oriol Nel·lo and Pablo Sendra, moderated by Eulàlia Bosch. Titled “Living in the City: Building a Sense of ‘We,’” the conversation focused on the importance of community and how urban policies and design can strengthen social cohesion and citizen participation.

Next, the focus shifted to the visual world with a discussion between Joan Fontcuberta and Horacio Ríos, moderated by Gemma Carbó. Under the title “To Look or to See. Training the Eye in an Age of Visual Oversaturation,” the speakers reflected on the role of the image in contemporary society and the need to cultivate a critical eye—a central theme of the creativity track.

In the afternoon, meetings were held by the regional networks, along with a dialogue among mayors, who shared concrete examples of how to create spaces for people from diverse backgrounds to come together, and how to strengthen coexistence, critical thinking, and co-creation. A poster session was also held, where different cities presented their projects in a visual and interactive way.

The day’s activities included a series of study visits to transformative initiatives in the city of Granollers. The evening concluded with an informal dinner and a showcase of popular culture.