Lost Landscapes. Can Peguera, Ancient and Recent History

Can Peguera, in the district of Nou Barris, is the last group of low-cost houses still preserved in Barcelona. With more than 600 publicly owned homes built during the first quarter of the 20th century, the neighbourhood today stands as a living testimony to the long-standing residents’ struggle for its preservation.

Its history is marked by decades of demands to prevent its disappearance, culminating in the lifting of the planning designation affecting the neighbourhood in 2015, as well as by the ongoing demand for improvements and the renovation of both housing and public space. This unique setting, which preserves a key piece of the city’s historical memory, is currently in the process of defining its Future Plan.

This walk offers the opportunity to explore its streets and learn about its history, reflecting on the old and recent memory of Can Peguera, as well as on the challenges it faces in the coming years. The route will be led by the Can Peguera Residents’ Association, which will accompany participants through the neighbourhood’s most emblematic spaces to delve into its everyday life, collective memory and unique urban landscape.

The activity will conclude with the screening of the documentary Més veïnes (2022), a film by Lisa Marrani and Vera Livia Garcia with the support of Barcelona City Council. Més veïnes is an intergenerational artistic research project that tells the story of Can Peguera through the voices of its women residents, recovering memories, experiences and ways of life that have helped shape the neighbourhood’s identity.

Meeting point: Carrer de Vila-seca, 1. Public transport: L4 Llucmajor or L5 Vilapicina. Estimated duration of the route: 1 h. Difficulty: moderate. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Screening: 30 min. Casal de Barri La Cosa Nostra. Carrer de Beret, 83. There will be a discussion after the screening. Guides: Pep Ortiz and Lisa Marrani.