The Canaleta-la Rajoleria community, in Banyoles, has taken a significant step in recovering its collective memory with the creation of a mural of great symbolic and historical value. The initiative, promoted by Institut Brugulat and with the active collaboration of the community of property owners, highlights the importance of neighbourhood history as a tool to understand the present and project a more cohesive future.

In a context where property managers often handle technical and economic aspects of daily management, this action also highlights the social role that communities can play: not only as spaces for coexistence, but as active agents in the construction of identity and urban memory.

A mural rooted in neighbourhood struggle

The mural has been placed on a community wall of the Mas Usall social premises, provided by the community of property owners itself. This gesture, seemingly simple, is in fact a demonstration of collective commitment to the history of the neighbourhood and the will to preserve it.

The central image of the work originates from a protest poster from 1974. At that time, Canaleta was a recently built neighbourhood that suffered considerable isolation from the rest of the city. The only access was a narrow dirt road, without lighting, which made traffic extremely difficult, especially under adverse conditions such as rain or night-time darkness.

That poster did not only denounce a lack of infrastructure. It essentially demanded the right to a dignified life. It called for the ability to enter and leave the neighbourhood normally, but also symbolised a deeper aspiration: to be part of the city on equal terms. It was a claim for belonging, dignity and recognition.

From protest to contemporary art

The artist responsible for transforming this historical episode into an artistic work is Roc Blackbloc, a Barcelona-based artist recognised for his work in recovering collective memory through urban art. The mural is part of the “Murs de Bitàcola” project, an initiative that seeks to reinterpret local historical episodes and turn them into visual narratives accessible to all citizens.

The work does not simply reproduce the original 1974 image. It reinterprets it using a contemporary language that connects with new generations, keeping the original message alive while adapting it to current visual codes. The result is a piece that creates a dialogue between past and present, between memory and actuality.

This type of artistic intervention has value beyond aesthetics. It turns public space into a place for reflection and remembrance, and contributes to strengthening the sense of community.

A project with an educational dimension

One of the most remarkable aspects of this initiative is its educational dimension. The project has been developed in the Geography classroom of Institut Brugulat, where students have been able to deepen their understanding of the historical context of the neighbourhood through photographs, documents and oral testimonies.

This approach has allowed students to understand that neighbourhoods are not just groups of buildings, but complex social realities, built through historical processes often marked by inequalities and claims. They have also seen how collective action by residents has been key to transforming these realities.

Educational participation gives the mural an additional layer of meaning. It is not only a work about the past, but also a learning tool for the present and the future.

Institutional and community collaboration

The project has been made possible thanks to a network of collaborations that exemplifies how different actors can work together to achieve a common goal. Institutions such as the University of Girona, through its Chair of Pedagogical Renewal, have participated, as well as the European Memory Observatory EUROM and the Banyoles City Council.

However, beyond the institutions, the role of the community of property owners has been fundamental. The provision of the space and their involvement in the project reflect an active and committed attitude that goes beyond the ordinary management of the community.

In this sense, the case of Canaleta-la Rajoleria can serve as an example for many property managers, who often face the challenge of energising common spaces and fostering coexistence. Actions like this demonstrate that communities can also be spaces of culture, memory and participation.

The role of property managers in community engagement

Traditionally, property managers have been associated with functions such as financial management, building maintenance or regulatory compliance. However, initiatives like the Canaleta mural highlight an evolution in this role.

Increasingly, property managers can act as facilitators of community projects, helping to channel neighbourhood initiatives and manage the legal and organisational aspects involved. In contexts such as Banyoles, where local identity plays an important role, this function can be particularly relevant.

Furthermore, participation in historical memory projects can help improve social cohesion within communities, reducing conflicts and strengthening the sense of belonging.

A message for the present and the future

The Canaleta-la Rajoleria mural is not only a look at the past. It is also an invitation to reflect on the present. It reminds us that many of the rights we now take for granted are the result of collective struggles, and that civic engagement remains essential to face current challenges.

At a time when cities are undergoing constant transformations, from urban pressure to social changes, recovering neighbourhood memory can be a powerful tool to guide these transformations in a fairer and more inclusive way.

The mural also highlights the importance of shared spaces as places for meeting and expression. In an increasingly individualised society, these spaces can become key points for strengthening the social fabric.

Building the city, a collective task

The final result is a work that transcends its artistic dimension. It is a living testimony of the neighbourhood’s history, an educational tool and a symbol of the strength of the community.

The Canaleta-la Rajoleria initiative shows that building a city is not just a matter of urban planning or infrastructure. Above all, it is a collective process in which memory, participation and collaboration play a fundamental role.

For professionals in the sector, such as property managers, this case offers an inspiring perspective on the transformative potential of communities. Beyond management, there is an opportunity to actively contribute to building more vibrant, fairer and more connected neighbourhoods.

Ultimately, the Canaleta-la Rajoleria mural does not only recover an episode from the past. It turns it into a tool to understand the present and to imagine a future in which the city is truly a shared space for everyone.