Barcelona, January 13 – In an extraordinary year dedicated to architecture, Barcelona will host over 1,500 activities across its ten districts and throughout the region from February 12 to December 13, 2026. This extensive program aims to redefine architecture as a cultural, social, and transformative practice, inviting citizens to rediscover its impact on daily life.
Barcelona 2026: World Capital of Architecture
Under the banner of “Barcelona 2026, World Capital of Architecture,” this initiative seeks to highlight architecture’s capacity to influence everyday life, showcase the city’s historical and contemporary heritage, and promote Catalan architectural talent internationally. The project is co-financed by the Barcelona City Council, the Generalitat of Catalonia, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda of the Spanish Government.
A key highlight of the year will be the UIA World Congress of Architects, scheduled from June 28 to July 2, 2026. However, the project’s core strength lies in its collaborative nature, developed from the ground up with contributions from 170 entities across the architectural, cultural, and social sectors. This shared process has generated more than 200 projects, resulting in a diverse array of activities.
A Rich and Varied Program
The program includes urban routes, guided tours, workshops, debates, conferences, exhibitions, and contemporary cultural events incorporating dance, music, theater, and cinema. This open, plural, and dynamic agenda caters to the general public, professionals, and educational communities alike.
The initiative is supported by strategic partners such as CATEB, COAC, ArquinFAD, Construmat-Fira Barcelona, and 48h Open House Barcelona, as well as all universities linked to architecture, urbanism, landscape, and space design. This collaborative effort reinforces Barcelona’s position as a central hub for contemporary architectural and cultural discourse.
Key Figures of the Program
- 143 exhibitions
- Over 500 routes and guided tours
- 300 debates and conferences
- 140 workshops
- Nearly 60 activities connecting architecture with other artistic disciplines
In parallel, the educational program will launch over 600 workshops for children and young people, featuring initiatives like “Architecture in the Classroom,” which brings architects into schools, and “The City We Want,” a participatory project where students from all districts imagine and design the Barcelona of the future.
Source: bonart.cat
