VIRTUAL Lisbon Livable Cities

Abstract

This study investigates ground-floor architectures and their influence on the organisation of street-level retail activities. It highlights three primary factors: the characteristics of land ownership (including street contact, geometry, and area); the configuration of threshold spaces (mediating interior-exterior interactions); and the scale of adjacent public spaces. The research examines transformed street junctions within the Barcelona’s Eixample grid—chamfered intersections spanning over 45 metres per side that have evolved from functional traffic nodes to vibrant social spaces—to analyse street-level architecture and activities, emphasising their diversity and equilibrium as key to fostering resilient urban environments. In Eixample district, ground floors—predominantly utilised for commercial purposes—serve as critical facilitators of economic and social vibrancy while promoting environmental sustainability through direct engagement between people and their surroundings. Despite recent urban interventions in the grid prioritising the enhancement of public spaces to support sustainable mobility, the role of façades, block interiors, and less-visible spaces such as passages and courtyards remains insufficiently addressed. Through GIS mapping and morphological analysis, the study evaluates patterns of transformation of commercial activity from 2014 to 2024, focusing on their form, spatial distribution, and clustering. Utilising the Barcelona Ground Floor Activities dataset, it underscores the critical role of ground-floor architecture in shaping public spaces and advancing sustainable urban coexistence. Furthermore, the research highlights the potential of these ground-floor architectural elements to harmonise economic vitality with social equity, contributing to more inclusive and adaptable urban settings.