Flexible urban planning in the contemporary city: contributions from the analysis of 22@ Barcelona Plan

Abstract This article aims to analyse the 22@ Barcelona Plan, considering that this example can contribute with reflections to processes of transformation of urban areas in a similar situation. This plan proposes to promote the conversion of an industrial sector into an innovation sector. We hypothesize that the traditional rational and finalist planning has not been able to grasp the urban object, leaving a gap in the reading and understanding of the city. The discussion and analysis are based on issues identified as possible contributions to experiences of similar urban transformation, including Brazilian ones. The results show that the 22@ Barcelona Plan contributes to urban management by exemplifying the territorial transformation based on an instrument that considers progressive implantation, morphological diversity, the performance of several agents and mechanisms that are articulated in different scales, in a flexible planning system. However, we highlight still present issues in the usual practices of urban transformation; especially regarding the incorporation of social aspects to the process. Thus, we suggest incorporating the design dimension into proposals of this nature, considering, more appropriately, the territorial physical results, and aiming at transformations that guarantee the full right to the city.