Ensenyar la ciutat o aprendre de la ciutat : l'exemple de Barcelona

Using Barcelona as an example, this article shows how, throughout the twentieth, century cities have become a basic tool in the learning process of social sciences at all education levels. In this sense, —after a brief analysis of teaching historical precedents in this city— the first didactical experiences developed in the 1930s, in which the movement of pedagogical renovation took place, stand out. Besides, the authors also analyze the specific factors that, in the case of Barcelona, have permitted the appearance of didactical material about the city during the last 25 years, such as the important role of teaching staff in relation to the new approaches of the referent areas, the wakening of a citizen conscience, the support by professionals dedicated to the city, and the initiatives developed by Barcelona City Council. The new challenge now is to introduce the city in a more effective way as an educational tool in the plan of study, based on the use of new technologies and closely linked with referent areas such as Geography, History and other Social Sciences.