Located in the heart of Catalunya, Barcelona is widely known as a beacon of progressive planning, housing activism, and ‘green’ urban development. At the same time, and despite well-intentioned assistance programs, recent research points to rising problems of water affordability and shut-offs for households—a sign of plumbing poverty—across the metropolitan area of 1.6 million people.

Our research in Barcelona explores the emergence of plumbing poverty in a progressive city; divergent experiences along lines of social and racialized difference; and efforts by Barcelona groups against the twin threats of housing and water affordability pressures. As we build our investigation, we are fortunate to work alongside knowledgeable experts at UOC, ICRA, UAB, and the Institut Mètropoli.