Madrid Nuevo Norte and the Hyggelig Association work together to achieve a more inclusive city through art

• A series of painting workshops for people with intellectual disabilities has helped to gauge their needs and preferences for the use of public space.
• The Hyggelig association seeks to better integrate and boost the self-esteem of those with intellectual disabilities through artistic expression.

Madrid Nuevo Norte aims to create an inclusive urban environment accessible to all.

Universal accessibility in this great urban project, which will transform the capital, goes far beyond removing barriers and strives to enable everyone to enjoy the city with equal opportunities.

The project’s citizen participation plan, developed over the last few years, has placed special emphasis on incorporating the perspectives of people with disabilities into the urban design. Crea Madrid Nuevo Norte has recently launched, in collaboration with the Hyggelig Association, a series of workshops for people with intellectual disabilities and their families to express their concerns, ask questions and make suggestions for the future development of Madrid Nuevo Norte through art.

Hyggelig, a collective focused on inclusive art, works in the arts on a daily basis to improve health, boost self-esteem and facilitate the social and labour integration of people with disabilities. The association pursues artistic initiatives in museums in the city, with the aim of normalising the participation and enjoyment of these spaces by people with disabilities.

These painting workshops, held in various spaces in the capital such as the Americas and Garment museums, have allowed participants to reflect on the future of Madrid. Through images and close dialogue, participants have understood the scale and features of Madrid Nuevo Norte and have expressed what they need and want from the city. The participants captured in their drawings what they need to enjoy the cities, making them feel an active part of it.

The project was developed in four sessions: the first two, informative and reflective, to familiarise participants with Madrid Nuevo Norte; and the other two to allow them to express their ideas and needs through drawings, using techniques learned at the association.

The workshops compiled the leading conclusions on the needs and preferences of the participants on important issues such as transport and mobility, use of public space, green areas and urban furniture. These conclusions were then passed on to the teams responsible for drafting the urbanisation projects for Madrid Nuevo Norte.

Taking people and their needs into account

Luciano, the father of one of the participants, values the initiative positively, “since society does not always take into account the needs of each person, or their aspirations, within the urban environment in which we move.” Teresa, the mother of one of the workshop attendees, is clear that cities need to improve accessibility and provide more green spaces. In her opinion, “it needs to be done from the outset, which is what Madrid Nuevo Norte is doing, taking all needs into account and not trying to play catch-up later”.

Ana, a mediator from the Museum of America, who has been part of the initiative, stresses the importance of making cities liveable for everyone: “Above all, we need to listen to people who have some kind of specific need or disability, directly in order to be able to meet these needs effectively,” she says. She further reflects that “when you put yourself in the shoes of the other person and listen to them, or your life circumstances mean that you require some kind of support, you realize that there are many barriers to living a city.” She concludes: “In a new city project, since you are starting from scratch, it is essential to listen to all the groups who are going to live it”.

With this initiative, Crea Madrid Nuevo Norte continues to pursue participation initiatives to inform, raise awareness and directly involve people with disabilities, their families and caregivers in the development of Madrid Nuevo Norte.