The (In)visibility of chinese migrants in Barcelona’s public spaces

A case study of La Verneda i la Pau

Tipus de document: Treball de Fi de Màster – Màster universitari en Intervenció Sostenible en el Medi Construït (TFM MISMeC)

Autor/a:

Wang, Hongxuan

Any: 2025

Idioma: Anglès

Descripció:

This thesis examines the (in)visibility of Chinese migrants in Barcelona’s public spaces, using La Verneda i la Pau neighbourhood as a representative case and Arc de Triomf area for comparison. Through qualitative combine quantitative methods — participant observation, semi-structured interviews with over 30 Chinese residents, and spatial mapping — this study analyzes how cultural norms, work routines, and urban design intersect to shape Chinese migrants’ patterns of public space use. Findings reveal that long working hours, preference for private or commercial venues, perceived safety concerns, and characteristics of environmental behavior contribute to limited physical presence in La Verneda i la Pau’s public space, despite a dense residential base. In contrast, Arc de Triomf area exhibits higher economic and social visibility tied to concentrated commercial activity, yet still lacks deep cultural integration beyond transactional interactions. Interviews reveal that — even when the city hosts occasional Chinese festivals or exhibition — Chinese residents seldom translate these symbolic gestures into everyday use of public squares, highlighting a disconnect between official visibility measures and lived spatial practices. To bridge this gap, the thesis proposes a framework of collaborative governance and civic partnerships: co-create interventions, formal advisory roles for Chinese associations in district councils, and visible cultural storytelling through bilingual signage and public mural. These strategies aim to empower Chinese migrants as active civic actors and foster inclusive urban belonging across Barcelona. The study contributes to migration and urban planning by highlighting the lived experiences of a numerically significant but often overlooked community, and by offering actionable pathways for the visibility and integration of migrant groups in multicultural cities.

Citació:

Wang, H. (2025). The (In)visibility of chinese migrants in Barcelona’s public spaces: a case study of La Verneda i la Pau. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.

Paraules clau:

chinese migrants
public space
visibility
urban inclusion
civic partnerships
public spaces
immigrants — Barcelona
chinese — Barcelona
social integration