An independentist voice against urban decay
Santiago Espot, a prominent figure in the Catalan independence scene, has expressed concern about the current state of Barcelona, pointing to a number of problems that affect the city. His criticism focuses on mass tourism, citizen insecurity, dirt, and especially the loss of cultural identity. Through his project ‘Defempbarcelona’, Espot seeks to raise awareness of these issues.
An unsustainable economic model?
Espot recently deepened his analysis of the economic model, which, in his opinion, has contributed to the degradation of the city. It describes a predominant system based on the service sector, with a special dependence on tourism and a job offer that is largely based on immigration with low wages. “This dynamic only serves to enrich a few lobbies that dominate the city,” says Espot.
The collapse of public services and the scarcity of housing
Espot highlights two serious consequences of this model: the collapse of public services, which are struggling to meet increasing demand, and the excessive increase in housing prices, which makes life unsustainable in the city for many citizens. “We have reached a point where essential services cannot cope with the high population concentration,” he emphasizes.
Lobbies and governments: a vicious circle
According to Espot, the economic elites of Barcelona are the architects of this economic model, which have been tolerated and sponsored by various municipal governments. This critique is especially significant in a context where parties like ERC and Junts, who have traditionally dominated Catalan politics, have avoided challenging or inconvenience these elites.
The future plans of Defensem Barcelona
Despite the intense activity on social networks, the defense project has not yet found a clear political translation. However, Espot and his colleagues seem to be evaluating the reaction of the public to decide whether they will present a new political proposal, which could introduce a new actor in the already complicated Catalan political scene, at a time when procession seems to be losing strength.
Reflections on the future of the city
With increasing concerns about the sustainability of the city and the quality of life of its inhabitants, the proposal of Espot can resonate at a time when many citizens seek alternatives to the status quo. The uncertainty that surrounds the political future of Barcelona could lead to a significant change in the way the city is managed and the needs of its citizens are prioritized.
