The project is expected to begin in January 2027 and will run for 24 months. Its aim is to democratize cultural participation and transform relations between residents and institutions. The municipal institution will make plots of land and interior courtyards in its housing stock available for community activities.
This was explained by Housing Councillor José Miguel Rodrigo: “That an organization as prestigious as the Carasso Foundation has chosen us from among proposals from across Spain shows that Zaragoza is leading the way in driving change. This national recognition endorses the social management model promoted by Zaragoza Vivienda, demonstrating that public housing is about much more than providing a roof: it is the fundamental pillar for building community, creating a sense of belonging and caring for our neighbors.”
ZARAGOZA AMONG THE EIGHT SELECTED PROJECTS
Zaragoza’s selection comes within the framework of the fourth edition of the “Alliances for Cultural Democracy” call, which received proposals from 16 autonomous communities.
The foundation has allocated a total of €600,000 to eight initiatives distributed across areas including Madrid, Seville, Vizcaya, Alicante and Zaragoza. The competition recognizes alliances capable of addressing complex contemporary challenges, such as the lack of shared spaces amid a housing crisis or the need to strengthen neighborhood ties in the face of isolation.
“At Zaragoza Vivienda, we work every day to improve people’s quality of life, especially for those in vulnerable situations. Being one of the eight projects selected nationwide encourages us to continue innovating and using our resources to break down barriers. We want culture and health to reach every corner and every landing of our buildings,” José Miguel Rodrigo said.
A PROJECT TO TRANSFORM EL GANCHO
“Beyond the Doors: Inhabiting the Commons” emerged from a participatory assessment that identified the loss of everyday meeting spaces and the weakening of community networks in San Pablo-El Gancho. To reverse this situation, the project has established an alliance between the Community Theatre Promotion Association, the San Pablo Health Council, the Zonas Comunes artistic mediation collective and the municipal company Zaragoza Vivienda.
The aim is to transform underused public spaces into genuine “neighborhood homes” through artistic creation processes, activate networks of trust and create a management model that will endure over time as a health asset that can be transferred to other areas.
“For this City Council, regenerating a historic neighborhood such as El Gancho necessarily means working hand in hand with its residents. Our contribution, by making plots, courtyards and infrastructure available, provides the project’s physical foundation, but the real success is this remarkable alliance between health, culture and housing. Together, we will transform spaces that are currently empty into authentic outdoor neighborhood homes,” Rodrigo said.
Zaragoza City Council’s participation in the project will go beyond institutional support. Zaragoza Vivienda will contribute its social management and community intervention model and make various resources available to the initiative. The municipal company will make plots of land and interior courtyards in its housing stock available for the activities and will provide an unused premises for storing the community furniture that is built.
In addition to the ten accommodation scholarships offered by Zaragoza Vivienda at the Xior Pontoneros student residence, located in the neighborhood itself, one will be awarded to a student specifically selected to collaborate on this project.
