Workshop “A Neighborhood to Live In: Mapping Experiences and Proposals for an Inclusive Urban Environment”

On February 11, 2025, the workshop “A Neighborhood to Live In: Mapping Experiences and Proposals for an Inclusive Urban Environment” took place at the Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation Hub of the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC). Organized by the research groups Nodes and Mediaccions at UOC, the event was part of the research project Digital Mapping, Care, and Urban Mobility, funded by the university itself.

The workshop, led by Inés Martins and Efraín Foglia from the Studies in Information and Communication Sciences, brought together around twenty participants with the aim of reflecting on the importance of adapting public spaces to meet the needs of all residents, especially older adults. Through memory and daily experience, attendees explored the relationship between aging, loneliness, and public space, based on interviews conducted with 38 elderly people in Barcelona.

The workshop was structured into three key moments:

• Sharing memory: Analysis of mobility experiences in urban environments throughout life.
• Observing the surroundings: Active observation walk through the neighborhood streets to identify challenges and opportunities.
• Suggestions for a neighborhood to live in: Collective co-design work using mapping as a tool for analysis and representation.

Participants contributed their experiences and knowledge to visualize and analyze the urban environment, identifying necessary improvements in terms of walkability, safety, and adequate facilities. The goal was to foster a more inclusive and accessible neighborhood, promoting the autonomy and well-being of older adults.

The workshop highlighted the importance of collective mapping as a key tool for proposing concrete and sustainable solutions, enabling better planning of public spaces in favor of a more cohesive and equitable community.