'Ability to transform reality' to be theme of 2026 World Congress of Architecture in Barcelona

The World Congress of Architecture, being hosted in Barcelona in 2026, presented its curators on Wednesday, with the theme of the event to be the "ability to transform reality" through architecture.

Catalonia's territory minister, Ester Capella, and Spain's housing and urban agenda minister, Isabel Rodríguez, were both present at the institutional event held at the College of Architects of Catalonia.

Both officials pointed to housing as being the "great challenge" and the "problem" that needs reversal in urban areas.

Capella insisted that access to "decent and affordable" housing is the biggest challenge facing cities currently, as well as the greatest "instrument to improve people's quality of life" that authorities have.

The Catalan minister pointed out the need to make access to housing "a fundamental right."

Rodríguez said that the problem of access to housing "must not be overlooked," especially for young people. "Access to housing is a matter that involves us all, also in the economic and political spheres," she said.

The event was also attended by the mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, who highlighted the "key role" of architecture and urban planning in the Catalan capital.

The team of seven architects that make up the curators of the congress revealed the project they are working on in the build-up to the event. 

The main motto, 'Becoming', will be divided into six lines of research that will address issues such as circularity, or the interdependence of citizens with the territory.

The team will highlight the Barcelona coast as part of the event, with the intention of showing the Catalan capital "as a Mediterranean city in constant transformation."