02A Issues in Barcelona Konicke

1.Addressing Houselessness in Barcelona

Houselessness in Barcelona is an issue on the rise as housing becomes increasingly unaffordable. Many people impacted range from migrants, refugees, and those affected by physical and mental health issues as well as elderly and young children. Beyond living in the street, many people who are left with no option but to share an apartment, are often forced to live in poor conditions.

https://www.catalannews.com/society-science/item/nearly-half-of-homeless-people-in-barcelona-have-lived-on-streets-for-over-two-years

https://www.catalannews.com/society-science/item/hidden-homelessness-rising-as-rent-prices-in-barcelona-soar-ombudsperson-warns

2. Barcelona Air Pollution Issues

Barcelona frequently records pollution levels that are harmful for resident health, and which currently do not comply with WHO recommendations for safe air quality. Some populations may be exposed to heightened levels of PM10 and NO2 beyond what is suitable for human health. Even during the pandemic, Some essential components to improved air quality in Barcelona may likely be from reducing traffic density, as well as educating users on good use of roads, slowing traffic down.

https://elpais.com/clima-y-medio-ambiente/2022-06-27/el-98-de-la-poblacion-espanola-respiro-aire-contaminado-en-2021-pese-a-la-reduccion-del-trafico-por-la-pandemia.html

https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/qualitataire/en/qualitat-de-laire/how-we-are-fighting-against-pollution

My interests lie primarily in how to make Barcelona a city which aids those affected by homelessness or ‘invisible homelessness’; how communities are affected by poor air quality or other environmental factors such as heat waves or drought; and re-thinking ways in which resources are distributed to these communities. Thinking such as green energy generation, public spaces for cleaning, etc.