CSA Can Vies, Self-managed social center in Sants, Spain.
CSA Can Vies is a self-managed social center housed in a former railway workers building, offering spaces for meetings, concerts, workshops, and community events. The venue contains multiple areas designed for different types of activities and is run entirely by local residents.
The center began in 1997 when local groups transformed an abandoned railway building into a community space. Over the years, it became an important gathering place for local activists and artists in the neighborhood.
The space is shaped by its visitors through open assemblies where everyone has an equal say in events and workshops. This horizontal approach to decision-making creates an environment where people feel they own what happens here.
The center is located on Jocs Florals street and operates through regularly scheduled activities and workshops announced online and in the neighborhood. Visitors should check ahead of time since activities change based on the season and available space.
The building survived a 2014 demolition attempt when thousands of residents formed a human chain to protect it and rebuilt damaged parts. This event shows how deeply the neighborhood considers this place their own and worth defending.
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