Creation of Common Spaces in a Small City in Mediterranean Europe: Findings from Falset in the Catalan Mountainous Area

Abstract

A city is a space where common value is generated from people and activities joining together. Shared use of urban space increases the quality of life, fostering a sense of attachment among the people participating in that experience. This research is an attempt to identify “common spaces” in urban life, i.e. those spaces where common values are expected to arise, and to illustrate the explicit and implicit institutions and processes that help people to activate such spaces. To this end, field research was conducted in Falset, a small Mediterranean city located in the Catalan mountainous area (Spain). The three main aspects analysed include the configuration of common spaces in urban planning, public-private arrangements and the common use of open-air spaces in festivities. As a result, we found common spaces working in a variety of urban settings, such as public streets, square galleries or public facilities. However, common space is not usually fixed in a specific architectural design, nor it is guaranteed by immutable legal regulations. Findings from our research in Falset show the importance of dynamic negotiation and agreements between private and public agents, as a fundamental factor aiding in the common enjoyment of urban space. The value of common space is intimately linked to the activities of the people in contact, whose shared experience may act as a catalyst for the city’s collective identity.