The magazine Barcelona Metròpolis celebrates its 40th anniversary with a redesigned format and a new book, highlighting its role in urban discourse. The event featured key figures discussing future challenges.
Barcelona Metròpolis, the city’s influential publication dedicated to urban thought and reflection, celebrated its 40th anniversary yesterday at El Born’s Museu d’Història de Barcelona. The event was presided over by Mayor Jaume Collboni, who emphasized the magazine’s enduring legacy as a platform for discussing the future of urban living.
Since its inception in 1986, during a transformative period leading up to the 1992 Olympic Games, Barcelona Metròpolis has served as a vital space for free and pluralistic debate on both local and global urban challenges. «We have always had the urge to discuss what kind of city we want to live in,» Collboni stated, underscoring the importance of continuous dialogue about pressing issues such as housing, climate change, mobility, and migration.
The anniversary celebration featured an insightful keynote address by international urban policy advisor Greg Clark, titled “Metropolis Barcelona: The Next 40 Years.” Following this, a roundtable discussion included prominent figures such as architect Maria Buhigas, demographer Antoni López Gay, and journalist Jordi Amat. The discussion was moderated by Milagros Pérez Oliva, who has directed the magazine since 2018.
The magazine is entering a new phase with its updated subtitle “Trimestral de pensament i ciutat,” reflecting a comprehensive redesign of both its physical format and website (barcelona.cat/metropolis). This revamp aims to provide more dynamic content distribution aligned with contemporary trends. To commemorate this milestone, the city council also released a special issue alongside the book titled Trames de Barcelona Metròpolis.
This book compiles significant articles from the magazine’s history while offering fresh perspectives on past discussions that remain relevant today. It is organized into three sections: Analyzing the City, Articulating the City, and Anticipating the City—each reflecting on various dimensions that shape Barcelona’s identity.
The publication has evolved under four editorial directions over its four decades. Joan-Anton Benach laid its foundational character during two decades marked by significant urban transformation. Manuel Cruz expanded its focus on urban thought amid globalization from 2007 to 2012. Bernat Puigtobella then shifted attention towards social and technological changes until 2017. Since taking over in 2018, Pérez Oliva has strengthened both print and digital editions while enhancing community engagement through collective reflection.
The special anniversary issue titled “La ciutat davant el seu futur” features contributions from eight experts addressing pathways toward a more equitable and healthy city. Topics range from rights to urban spaces to demographic evolution and resilience strategies.
This edition also showcases modern design principles aligned with sustainability goals set by Barcelona’s city council. By reducing page numbers while optimizing layout for text and imagery, it maintains visual appeal without sacrificing content quality or depth.
A notable visual essay by photographer Mariano Herrera captures “the Barcelona that never sleeps,” complementing cultural reports and interviews with filmmaker Albert Serra and writer David Uclés within this celebratory issue.
The commitment to sustainable practices extends even further through innovative printing techniques that conserve resources while preserving aesthetic integrity—a testament to how far both the publication and city have come since their respective beginnings.
The renewed vision for Barcelona Metròpolis not only honors its rich history but also sets ambitious goals for engaging with future challenges facing metropolitan areas worldwide. Readers can access this special edition online or find it at local bookstores across Barcelona starting next week.
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