It is not an official association or movement, but a feeling that I fear will grow more and more among Barcelona residents who feel annoyed, stressed, or at least concerned by the alienating drift of the city. No, I don't think it's always the fault of the municipal government either, but rather a trend that affects several large capitals and has to do with gentrification, but also with the lack of affordable housing, with the loss of neighborhood spirit (having seen "the barrio is hot" as a sign is a symbolic milestone in this regard) or with the closure of emblematic establishments that simply cannot pay the rent. The process has accelerated in recent years, especially as a result of the exhaustion of the Colau model, which now slowly gives way to a model that will have its virtues, but which has a very important danger: the depersonalization of the city.
I insist, it's not just about political models. A good part of what happens to us has to do with a globalization that favors us in many ways, but that needs to find its limits, and these limits must be set by both the public administration and organized civil society. Barcelona cannot be considered a successful city if it expels its inhabitants to neighboring municipalities, no matter how much metropolitan philosophy we want to establish: if the municipalities of the metropolitan belt are so attractive, let it be prioritized or encouraged for newcomers to live there. And let them be the ones to claim the shortcomings in transport or the delays in Cercanías. If Barcelona is not able to retain its lifelong inhabitant in the city, and their children, in no case can it be considered a successful city. It is a resounding failure, the biggest of all.
There is an economic expulsion, but there is also, beware, a cultural expulsion. They can now dress up the America's Cup as a Cultural Regatta with a photo of several agents at the Fundació Miró and with an idea about promoting the "most ours" sailing skate: the void observed when checking its concreteness is a precipice, of dizzying nullity, of worrying artificiality disguised as an approach to citizenship. The tendency to consider culture as entertainment or as an ornament that complements truly serious things, like a stage full of colors that makes indigestions more bearable, was funny at first, but now it sets off all alarms. It's like the interactive spaces of modernist houses, which at first open curiosity and then seem only the grotesque of smeared makeup. Barcelona expels when, in its desire to be so cool, it ends up becoming ugly and frivolous. I know, it's not about imposing any elitism or any culture of boredom: but from here to popcorn and glitter, there's a long way. We'll see what happens with the Comedia.
If Barcelona is not capable of retaining its lifelong inhabitant in the city, and their children, in no case can it be considered a successful city. It is a resounding failure, the biggest of all.We, the "locals," demand to still feel identified with our city, not from nostalgia and folklore, but from radical protagonism. It's not that Barcelona might end up expelling us excessively, but that it could even end up being unattractive to visitors if it becomes over-themed, depersonalized, or a mere caricature of itself. Those of us from here don't like it being so expensive (in relation to salaries), nor so superficial and image-obsessed, but it's that those from outside have not come to see the "global" Barcelona but precisely the "local" Barcelona". Not only are they compatible, but they must be. And if there is no ecological philosophy with this issue, of preservation of the own ecosystem, the own identity, the autochthonous way of being and living, not only will lifelong businesses close or lifelong people leave: the very concept of the city will leave. Meanwhile, if it amuses them so much, happy regatta.
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