Gender, Age and design in a new public space in a mediterranean town : the Parc dels Colors in Mollet del Vallès (Barcelona)

This paper aims to discuss how a new and carefully designed public space can influence the daily life of its users and can become an identifying icone for the town. The research has been carried out in the Parc dels Colors (Park of Colours), a park that was inagurated in 2001 and was designed by a celebrated Spanish architect. The Park is located in a Mediterranean town, Mollet del Vallés that belongs to the metropolitan area of Barcelona. Gender and age have been important categories throughout the research and qualitative methodology (in particular participant observation and in-depth interviews) has been an essential component of this study.