Reflection

Arriving in a new city is something I find to be disorienting yet incredibly exciting. It may take far more than ten weeks to know and cultivate a sense of place in a city. However, throughout the summer, I slowly developed an understanding of Madrid that seemed unimaginable upon my arrival. Simply living in Madrid was perhaps the most important aspect of my research. Many of my observations and questions emerged while walking, riding the metro, grocery shopping, or enjoying an evening out. My advice to myself and anyone interested in community-engaged research is to seek experiences that introduce you to new cities, communities, and approaches to problem solving. After this summer, I feel more confident in my ability to adapt to places and ways of life that at first seem unknown. I am inspired to continue to expose myself to different types of urbanism and to expand my view of city life, which at times can be quite NYC-centric.

This summer in Madrid provided a window into life as experienced by Madrileños, and offered the opportunity to conduct research on participatory design and urban regeneration strategies. Working with Paisaje Transversal engrossed my academic and professional interests. It opened my mind to the ways in which politics and cultural values can express themselves in urban planning. This is evident throughout Madrid—from the use of plazas for protest and informal social gathering, to the reclamation of vacant and industrial spaces. Madrid’s response to the 2008 financial crisis is visible in these public spaces and in the communities that support them. Madrileños seem to utilize and redesign the urban environment to meet changing needs and circumstances. For me, it was fascinating to be able to draw such connections between the city’s recent history, and the initiatives that Paisaje Transversal, fellow social businesses, and the City Council have pursued in response.

From speaking with the members of Paisaje Transversal and reading their thorough documentation of each project, I have a strong sense of how a participatory design process can be put into practice. Paisaje Transversal is foremost concerned with facilitating relationships and partnerships that improve cohesion between stakeholders—the citizens, public resources, and private interests. Their work is equally social as it is spacial. This research has addressed many of my initial questions regarding urban regenerations strategies in Madrid and across Spain. Yet, it has also provoked other questions of tourism and its relationship to the city’s changing social and economic landscape. How will global interests continue to alter the local culture and values that are so distinct in Madrid? There is a fierce commitment to public space and “the commons,” a contrast to NYC where self-preservation appears to be top priority. There is also an equity to spaces in Madrid—plazas are ubiquitous and everyone is welcome. The US’ history of individualism, racism, and classism in the US are strong and have shaped our cities. While NYC is home to a diverse population, many spaces and activities are exclusive. In the present moment, real estate interests control the much of the city. Developers use public spaces to manipulate and maximize their privates ones. Many designated public plazas are inside of buildings, inaccessible to passersby. In Madrid, plazas and community centers have largely been envisioned for and by the people, as a form of public service that is of equal value to their economic potential.