# IDRA Institut de Recerca Urbana de Barcelona ## Overview **Website:** https://idrabcn.com/ **Full Name:** IDRA Institut de Recerca Urbana de Barcelona (IDRA Urban Research Institute of Barcelona) **Mission:** Conducting research to better understand urban reality and promote social and ecological justice IDRA is a Barcelona-based urban research institute organized as a cooperative that focuses on analyzing urban challenges and developing solutions for social and ecological justice. They combine academic research with practical action and community engagement. ## Headquarters **Location:** C/Balmes, 13 baixos (local), 08007 Barcelona **Contact:** [email protected] **Languages:** Available in Spanish, English, and Catalan ## Organizational Structure **Legal Form:** Cooperative **Network Affiliation:** - **Federated Cooperative** - Part of larger cooperative federation - **XES Member** - Xarxa d'Economia Solidària (Social Economy Network) ## Three Strategic Lines ### 1. Transformative Social Institutions **"Institucions socials transformadores"** Focus on analyzing and developing institutions that can drive social transformation and address urban challenges through innovative governance and organizational models. ### 2. Just Ecological Transition **"Transició ecològica justa"** Research and action on ensuring ecological transitions benefit all social groups, addressing environmental challenges while promoting social equity and justice. ### 3. Economic Democracy **"Democràcia econòmica"** Exploring alternative economic models that democratize economic decision-making and promote more equitable distribution of resources and power. ## Key Research Areas & Publications ### Housing & Urban Development #### "El repte de l'habitatge protegit" (The Challenge of Protected Housing) - **Focus:** Analysis of social impacts of Barcelona's 30% protected housing requirement - **Scope:** Large rehabilitations and new construction in Barcelona - **Outcome:** Proposals for improving implementation without abandoning the 30% measure ### Food Systems & Rural-Urban Relations #### Podcast: "Com s'alimenten les ciutats?" (How Do Cities Feed Themselves?) - **Guest:** Carolyn Steel, British architect and critical thinker - **Topics:** Urban food systems, rural-urban divide, food industry oligopolies - **Focus:** Building more just food systems ### Land Access & Agroecological Transition #### Reading Group: "La terra és vostra" (The Land is Yours) - **Book:** "La Tierra es vuestra" by Ricardo Robledo - **Theme:** Land access for agroecological transition - **Focus:** Protecting farmers' fundamental right to land access for quality, local, seasonal food production ## Educational Programs ### ESCOLA IDRA Ongoing educational initiatives including: - **Reading Groups** - Collaborative study of critical texts on urban and social issues - **Debate Cycles** - "Organització! Acció col·lectiva en la crisi ecològica" (Organization! Collective Action in the Ecological Crisis) - **Local Events** - Activities at their Barcelona space ### Content Production - **Publications** - Research reports and analysis - **Podcasts** - Regular audio content on urban issues - **Local Programming** - Events and activities at their physical space ## Research Methodology - **Urban Analysis** - Systematic study of urban phenomena and challenges - **Social Impact Assessment** - Evaluating policies and interventions for social outcomes - **Policy Research** - Analysis of public policies and proposals for improvement - **Community Engagement** - Connecting research with grassroots organizations and movements ## Key Themes & Focus Areas ### Urban Justice - **Housing Rights** - Access to affordable and dignified housing - **Spatial Justice** - Equitable distribution of urban resources and opportunities - **Social Inclusion** - Addressing marginalization and inequality in urban contexts ### Ecological Urbanism - **Just Transition** - Ensuring ecological changes benefit all social groups - **Urban Food Systems** - Sustainable and equitable food provisioning for cities - **Climate Justice** - Addressing environmental challenges while promoting social equity ### Alternative Economics - **Cooperative Economics** - Promoting cooperative and social economy models - **Economic Democracy** - Democratizing economic decision-making processes - **Solidarity Economics** - Building economic relationships based on mutual aid and cooperation ## Digital Presence & Communication **Multi-Platform Engagement:** - **Instagram** - Visual content and updates - **YouTube** - Video content and presentations - **Spotify** - Podcast distribution - **Telegram** - Community communication - **X (Twitter)** - News and networking **Newsletter:** Regular updates on activities and research results ## Network & Partnerships ### Cooperative Movement - **Federated Structure** - Part of larger cooperative federation - **XES Membership** - Active in Catalan social economy network - **Cooperative Values** - Democratic governance and social mission ### Collaborating Organizations The institute works with various entities that have trusted in their research and analysis (specific partnerships indicated on website but not detailed). ## Key Concepts **Urban Research:** Interdisciplinary study of cities that combines academic rigor with practical applications for social change. **Social and Ecological Justice:** Approach that links environmental sustainability with social equity, ensuring that ecological transitions benefit all social groups. **Economic Democracy:** Economic systems that prioritize democratic participation in economic decision-making over profit maximization. **Just Transition:** Framework for ensuring that the shift to sustainable economies is fair and inclusive, leaving no one behind. ## Innovation Areas - **Policy Analysis** - Evaluating urban policies for social and environmental impact - **Participatory Research** - Engaging communities in research design and implementation - **Interdisciplinary Approach** - Combining urban planning, sociology, economics, and ecology - **Action Research** - Connecting academic study with practical intervention and change ## Community Engagement - **Local Space** - Physical location for community meetings and activities - **Public Events** - Debate cycles and educational programming - **Reading Groups** - Collaborative learning and discussion - **Policy Advocacy** - Research-informed recommendations for urban policy ## Research Impact - **Policy Influence** - Analysis that informs urban policy decisions - **Community Empowerment** - Research that supports grassroots organizing - **Academic Contribution** - Scholarly work on urban issues and social change - **Public Education** - Making research accessible through podcasts and events ## Values & Principles - **Social Justice** - Promoting equity and addressing urban inequalities - **Ecological Sustainability** - Environmental responsibility in urban development - **Democratic Participation** - Inclusive decision-making processes - **Cooperative Economics** - Alternative economic models based on solidarity - **Transparency** - Open access to research and organizational information --- *Reference compiled from https://idrabcn.com/ - Last updated: 2024* *Note: Original website content in Catalan, Spanish, and English*