VIRTUAL Barcelona Livable Cities

Abstract

This paper investigates how integrating domestic design principles into public urban spaces can create more inclusive, socially connected, and livable cities. The concept of Urban Domesticity adapts elements of the private sphere—such as resting, caregiving, and non-commercial leisure—into city environments, addressing the lack of accessible, welcoming amenities in cities. Inspired by Team 10’s vision of cities as expansive houses that meet human needs, this approach reimagines plazas and public spaces as ‘urban living rooms,’ transforming them into hubs for interaction, relaxation, and community engagement to enhance inclusivity, health, and connection. As boundaries between domestic and urban spaces blur, activities traditionally associated with the home are occurring in public settings, underscoring the need for urban areas that support social connection. This shift suggests that public spaces should incorporate home-like activities to foster overall urban livability. Aldo van Eyck’s idea that “a house must be like a small city…and a city like a large house” reinforces this vision, advocating for plazas and streets that nurture citizens’ well-being. Through a human-centered, interdisciplinary approach, this paper emphasizes inclusive and participatory design to make public spaces accessible to people of all ages, genders, and abilities. By analyzing contemporary case studies and proposing prototypes, Urban Domesticity introduces adaptable furniture, native greenery, interactive lighting, and art installations that enhance walkability and social connection. Ultimately, this model positions public spaces as essential to fostering inclusivity, community, and well-being, transforming today’s urban landscape to better meet the diverse needs of its inhabitants.