Collective Action in the Face of Urban Vulnerability: Analysis and Proposals Based on the Experience of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area

Abstract

The succession of crises such as the Great Recession, the Covid-19 pandemic, the energy crisis, and climate change has led to a scenario of uncertainty and accelerated transformation. These crises deepen socio-spatial inequalities, especially in vulnerable urban areas, where segregation and social precariousness intensify. In response, collective citizen action plays a key role, both in advocating and putting pressure on public authorities and in building community resilience. This article analyzes the evolution of collective action in the metropolitan area of Barcelona since 2007, identifying two opposing dynamics: the rise of cooperative and mutual aid practices and the weakness of collective action in the most vulnerable areas. The article concludes by emphasizing the need to strengthen community capacities in the face of recurring crises, particularly in highly vulnerable urban environments.