Campo de Cebada, Community-managed public space in La Latina, Madrid, Spain
Campo de Cebada is an open space in central Madrid created from a former vacant lot into an area with recreational facilities and gathering zones for neighborhood activities. The site offers electrical outlets, a multi-sport court, moveable furniture, and shaded areas built from recycled materials available throughout the year.
The location evolved from an Arab cemetery to a barley square in the 16th century, later housed a market starting in 1875 and a sports center beginning in 1968. Its transformation into a community-managed space marked a return to public use for neighborhood gathering.
Residents use the space for open-air films, concerts, and workshops that keep community life active in the neighborhood. These gatherings reflect its role as a meeting point where people from the area come together regularly.
Visitors find electrical outlets, moveable furniture, and shaded seating available year-round to make stays comfortable. The space is easy to reach and offers room for various activities, from sports to quieter gatherings.
Weekly neighborhood assemblies determine the programming and management of the space, allowing residents to directly shape their surroundings. This form of decision-making makes it an example of grassroots democratic space management.
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