Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni has described cities as a frontline against political polarization and the rise of extremism, arguing that democracy depends on combining social cohesion with security.
Opening the World in Progress forum in Barcelona, Collboni said political leaders should turn uncertainty into hope and build peaceful coexistence. He maintained that order, security and coexistence are essential conditions for democracy and progress, adding that freedom cannot exist without security.
The mayor referred to the riots and looting promoted on social media by Blocus a week earlier, as well as the large police deployment that prevented further incidents the following Saturday. He also praised institutions that work together, anticipate problems and act effectively.
Collboni identified transformation, cohesion and a shared horizon as the three ways cities can promote progress. He cited the 1992 Olympic Games as an example of change that anticipated the future, while stressing that urban transformation must generate prosperity and a better quality of life for everyone. He also defended residents’ right to remain in their city, particularly young people.
Among Barcelona’s ongoing projects, he highlighted the future La Sagrera station and its surrounding area, the new La Marina neighborhood, which is expected to have 30,000 residents when completed, and the northern 22@ district, planned as a mix of housing and economic activity.
Housing was another central part of his speech. Collboni said homes, employment and the possibility of building a personal future are the foundations of public trust, warning that the lack of these opportunities, especially among young people, can create fertile ground for extremist ideas. He therefore backed the construction of both housing and public services.
The mayor said cities can become global urban centers on a human scale if they provide people with opportunities and aspirations. He described the challenge for cities as building neighborhoods that respond to everyday needs, arguing that democracy is strengthened when it improves people’s daily lives.
Sources: El País Portada.