Living spaces, cities and regions shaping the built environment for everyone :Citizen participation and urban development in Cáceres : peer learning visit report

The redevelopment process of the Santiago Square in Cáceres was chosen as one of 30 exemplary practices embodying high-quality architectural principles in Europe, thanks to its participative decision making process. The process exemplifies the values promoted by the New European Bauhaus and aligns with the principles of “Baukultur” as articulated in the Davos Declaration. This approach aims to enhance social cohesion and quality of life by prioritising the human element and integrating comprehensive solutions, such as sustainable resource use, citizen participation, cultural heritage preservation, improved public spaces, and social diversity. This participatory approach fosters a sense of community and connection among residents, contributing to a safer and more resilient society. Cáceres, a historic city with a UNESCO World Heritage-listed walled city since 1986, includes Santiago Square within its buffer zone under a "Special Protection Plan." The redevelopment aligns with multiple local and national legal and planning frameworks, including the Spanish Urban Agenda. Several related public and private projects addressing luxury tourism, parking, natural revitalisation, and cultural infrastructure were connected to the redevelopment effort. The project addressed key site improvements, including accessibility, leisure, parking, cultural identity, aesthetic enhancement, safety, and mitigating the heat-island effect in Cáceres. The Official Association of Architects of Extremadura facilitated effective dialogue between city agencies and residents, who actively participated in the discussions. A catalogue of requirements was developed and integrated into an open competition for ideas, with a jury of residents and experts selecting a Spanish architecture office as the winning entry. This collaborative process of discussion and collective visioning represents a redesign of local decisionmaking paths, characterised by transparent and thorough transversal collaboration. The dialogue incorporated related initiatives and principles of heritage conservation, cultural identity, and contemporary design, balancing ideal scenarios with practical, feasible solutions.