VIRTUAL Barcelona Livable Cities

Abstract

Barcelona’s urban heritage is vibrant, blending a unique architectural style, a wealth of traditions, and a profound historical impact, establishing its status as a significant cultural centre in Europe. This paper adopts an interdisciplinary approach to integrate historical analysis and cultural heritage research. From the perspective of European Cultural Routes, it explores the interweaving of Barcelona’s urban heritage with its historical traditions and the broader European cultural landscape, as well as their influences. European Cultural Routes, through transnational cooperation, situate heritage sites within a larger geographical and cultural context, enhancing cultural understanding and connections between different regions. This promotes cultural exchange, tourism, and regional economic growth and fosters widespread interest in cultural heritage conservation. By analysing the driving force, organisational structures, and the impacts of European Cultural Routes, taking the European Cemeteries Route and the Réseau Art Nouveau Network as case study, this paper highlights Barcelona’s crucial role as a cultural hub in Europe and demonstrates how its urban heritage integrates multiple European cultural influences. This integration brings greater international recognition to Barcelona’s urban heritage and provides vital support for its historical and cultural sustainable development, while also offering new insights into the methods of preserving and utilising Barcelona’s urban heritage. This study provides a new understanding of how architecture, culture, and heritage shape Barcelona’s urban identity and its role in the European cultural landscape, with scientific significance in advancing historical conservation and modern cultural exchange.