Dynamics of Community Participation in the Management of Public Facilities. Two Case Studies in Barcelona

This article explores the differences between two projects aiming to promote local culture and territorial development in Barcelona. The differences between two ways of managing municipal equipment installations oriented to the promotion of creation and citizen participation are analyzed. These case studies are located in two neighborhoods with opposite socioeconomic profiles: a Fab Lab in Ciutat Meridiana and the Casa Orlandai Civic Center in Sarria. In the first case, the public sector leaders have been confronted with the acceptability of the local associative fabric and gradually had to develop activities more in line with the needs of the neighborhood; in the second case, a citizen platform has promoted public involvement in the development of a social project. The comparison shows that structural factors have important effects on the start of this type of initiative. The concern for community and municipality coresponsibility in management tasks appears to be a common challenge.