By: Manuel Alméstar – itdUPM
The Villaverde District Council recently hosted the social research session Imaginarios de Villaverde, a qualitative study that delves into how different social groups perceive and experience public amenities and local commerce within the district. Developed as part of the European project URBREATH, this initiative is a key step towards a more inclusive and resilient urban transformation.
Madrid, February 24, 2025 – The event gathered a diverse range of municipal technical teams from various departments—including Urban Regeneration, Energy and Climate Change, Mobility, Innovation, Urban Strategy, and Social Services—alongside representatives responsible for local markets and public facilities. This interdepartmental collaboration highlights the holistic approach that URBREATH is implementing in Madrid.
Orlando Chacón, Councilor of Villaverde, emphasised the importance of understanding how residents interact with public spaces:
“This study provides a valuable snapshot of how working-class communities and immigrant populations perceive public facilities in Villaverde. Understanding how our residents experience these spaces enables us to enhance their design, accessibility, and functionality.”
The session began with an intervention by Marisol Mena from Madrid City Council, who underscored the importance of integrating citizen perceptions into urban regeneration processes. This was followed by presentations from researchers Paula Jiménez and Gonzalo Navarrete from Traza Consultoría, and Begoña Pernas from Gea21, who shared key findings from the study.
You can find the publication here.
Urban perceptions and imaginaries in Villaverde
The research examined perspectives from various social groups, including Spanish, Moroccan, Latin American, Romanian, and Roma communities. Among the key conclusions, participants recognised the crucial role of local commerce while expressing concerns about its decline. Additionally, there was a strong aspiration for more open, multi-purpose public facilities that could combine employment services with affordable municipal rental spaces for businesses.
Following the presentation, a participatory workshop was facilitated by Traza Consultoría and itdUPM, inviting attendees to reflect on four key areas: cultural centers and libraries, markets and local commerce, public schools, and entrepreneurship spaces such as the Business Incubator and the Food Innovation Hub.
URBREATH: Urban regeneration, climate adaptation, and social innovation
This study is part of the broader URBREATH project, a European initiative that emphasises the social dimension of urban regeneration, climate adaptation, neighborhood revitalisation, and the use of innovative technologies for urban transformation.
In Madrid, URBREATH is being implemented in Villaverde through the design of an integrated network of urban natural corridors, incorporating Nature-Based Solutions to enhance the district’s resilience. The project brings together multiple stakeholders, including Madrid City Council, the Villaverde District Council, and organisations such as the Innovation and Technology for Human Development Center of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (itdUPM), Basurama Collective, Dark Matter Labs, and Traza Consultoría. Their collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach ensures an inclusive and forward-thinking urban strategy.
Councilor Chacón concluded by reaffirming the commitment to turning research into actionable change:
“This event should not be just a reflection but a starting point. We want this study to inform decision-making and improve the daily lives of our residents. Villaverde deserves an urban development model that leaves no one behind.”
With this vision, the Villaverde District Council, Madrid City Council, and URBREATH partners are reinforcing their commitment to an inclusive, sustainable urban development approach—one that integrates citizen participation, social innovation, and climate resilience at its core.
For more information, contact: Manuel Alméstar – manuel.almestar@upm.es