Seville Provincial Council opens the new Barrio de Quarto to public participation with collaborative sessions in Bellavista

Through Sevilla Activa, Seville Provincial Council held the first public participation sessions for the development of the Barrio de Quarto from 22 to 24 May, an initiative that seeks to bring residents’ voices into the design of Bellavista’s future urban development. The sessions were attended by Cristina Salazar, Director General, and Rosa Estrada, Urban Planning Coordinator, together with María Murillo and Pilar Pérez, managing director of Sevilla Activa.

The meeting structured participation by grouping community organisations by theme, addressing fundamental issues such as mobility, sustainability and heritage. This approach allowed for an organised debate on the key elements that will define the character of the new urban fabric and its connection with the existing neighbourhood of Bellavista.

A distinguishing feature of these sessions was that the public response exceeded the organisers’ initial expectations. María Murillo particularly welcomed the outcome: “The level of participation has exceeded our expectations. The contributions we have gathered will be key to consolidating a sustainable, inclusive urban model rooted in the territory.”

Specifically, the sessions focused on establishing criteria for territorial integration that connect the future neighbourhood with the established urban fabric of Bellavista and its relationship with the river Guadaíra. Pilar Pérez, for her part, underlined the project’s participatory philosophy: “We want to build a neighbourhood with people, not for people. This active listening is essential if the new Quarto is to connect with Bellavista, with the river Guadaíra and with the future of Seville.”

These sessions open a phase of collaborative work that will continue with technical workshops and specialist forums, shaping a participatory process that will feed into the urban planning currently being drawn up. EDDEA and Factor-IA, the studios responsible for the technical drafting of the project, will incorporate the conclusions of this active listening process into the definition of the sustainability criteria and public facilities of the new development.

The initiative is in line with contemporary urban agendas that place public participation at the heart of shaping new residential areas, especially peri-urban developments that require careful integration with the established urban fabric and the natural features of the territory.