Framing Large-Scale Projects: Barcelona Forum and the Challenge of Balancing Local and Global Needs

Abstract

Large-scale projects form important milestones in the development agenda of cities. Although their initial rhetoric framing often claims that global and local needs will be balanced, these projects are often criticized for not fulfilling this promise. This article presents a case study of the Forum, a project with ambitious balanced rhetoric frames in Barcelona. We conclude that a lack of sustainable framing in different governance domains hampered their conversion into reality. “Speed” and “urgency” developed instead as an important action frame, fostering an investment agenda focusing on competitiveness, the development of a high-end service sector, and further enhancement of tourism. This proved unsuitable for facilitating participatory processes and strategic debates about the future of the city.

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