The tactical urban planning that promoted the municipal government of Ada Colau has not been without controversy. The paintings on the road and the mobile elements that adorned areas such as Carrer Pelai or the superillas of Sant Antoni and Poblenou have had detractors and defenders.
But now, this risky formula of street decoration has come out strengthened after obtaining the endorsement of design professionals. The tactical urbanism of Barcelona City Council, created by Arauna Studio, received last night the Grand Laus prize in Graphic Design awarded by the Association of Art Directors and Graphic Designers (ADG-FAD).
The jury, made up of Pablo Amade, Liza Enebeis, Titti Kurppa, Borja MartÃnez and Guillermo Rubio, considered that tactical urban planning “is conceived as an open source toolbox, interpretable by the Consistory teams in charge of executing the different actions in streets and pacified human environments”, as indicated by the association in a press release. “This system provides, on the one hand, an easily recognizable code that facilitates the use of urban space and, on the other, humanises paved areas”, he added.
For its part, Colau’s team defends tactical urban planning as “a simple and powerful urban transformation formula, followed by cities around the world and which allows changing the way a space is used with temporary and more economical elements . It is based on provisional and reversible actions, affordable and agile, such as colored strips, street furniture, planters that can be moved or games painted on the floorâ€.
The Grand Laus de Publicitat went to the Muchoyó campaign, given that the jury considered it to be “a collaborative project in which different media and more than 70 professionals from different disciplines have participated to give a voice to children and adolescents and who can demand in person the fulfillment of their rights in issues such as discrimination, child labour, sexual violence or war conflicts”. The award wanted to recognize this campaign as “a powerful tool to connect with childhood through animation, music, fashion and a character that aims to inspire”.
In addition, the ADG-FAD expert committee has recognized the Contemporary Culture Center of Barcelona (CCCB) with the Laus Empreses i Entitats 2023 award for being “a benchmark and example for public institutions to strengthen the promotion and commitment by design”. “The CCCB is the city’s cultural epicenter and stands out for a 30-year history of full commitment to graphic design, which is part of the organization’s DNA.”
This year’s Laus d’Honor award went to José MarÃa Cruz Novillo in recognition of “his great contributions to the world of design and visual communication and the cultural impact they have had on the collective imagination”.
The Laus d’Honor award is the recognition of a professional career of great contributions to the profession and culture of graphic design in general, which have served as a source of inspiration for the following generations. In previous editions, renowned professionals such as Pati Núñez (2022), Toni Miserachs (2021), America Sanchez (2020), Ana Zelich (2019), Oscar Mariné (2018), Enric Aguilera (2017), have been honored with this award. Yves Zimmermann (2016) or Raquel Pelta (2015).
Novillo’s “prolific career is now recognized, especially in the visual creation of brands and corporate identities that have formed part of the visual landscape of a Spain longing for modernity and democracy. In addition to its social and cultural impact, Novillo represents one of the national pillars for the promotion and dignity of the graphic design profession”.
