Vigo and San Fernando have been selected as host cities for the third edition of the TAC! Urban Architecture Festival by Spain's Ministry of Transport, Mobility, and Urban Agenda (MITMA), where temporary pavilions will be built to accommodate an extensive cultural program. Widely considered a benchmark for emerging ephemeral architecture, this edition of the festival seeks to showcase projects that highlight the potential of architecture, innovation, experimentation, and young talent.
Promoted by MITMA's Secretariat General for Urban Agenda, Housing, and Architecture, in collaboration with the Arquia Foundation, the TAC! Urban Architecture Festival is an initiative aimed at young architects. It seeks to bring together contemporary architecture and emerging practices, fostering reflections on urban and social issues through the construction of a temporary pavilion. This is organized through two open calls: one to select the TAC! City, and an ideas competition for the temporary pavilion itself.
Unlike the previous edition held in Valencia and Donostia-San Sebastián—where the "Mediterráneo" and "Lost Forest" pavilions highlighted the role of architecture in addressing the challenges faced by urban environments in times of climate emergency—TAC! 2024 will take place in Vigo and San Fernando, reclaiming public space for the citizens.
Vigo's bid was submitted by the Vigo City Council with the support of the Galician Association of Architects. Reflecting a cross-cutting approach between local practices and policies aimed at deepening ongoing urban transformations, the city demonstrates a strong interest in architectural and urban renewal, as well as the reclamation of public space, with the goal of building a city for people. Notably, the "Vigo Vertical" project stands out for facilitating mobility and enhancing the aesthetics of a modern city committed to sustainability, innovation, technology, and its citizens' quality of life. TAC! offers the city an opportunity to reflect on its present and future through a multidisciplinary lens, continuing to build livable environments where people can inhabit and share public space as active participants in decision-making.
Meanwhile, the proposal from San Fernando, submitted by its City Council, positions public space as a vital component of a successful city. This approach represents a competitive strategy based on knowledge and information, viewing culture as a driver of change and a catalyst for the local economy and employment. The proposal seeks to create multifunctional public spaces for social interaction, cultural expression, and dialogue, designed and managed to foster human development while promoting coexistence, connectivity, and social inclusion.
This article was written by Agustina Iñiguez. The translation is powered by AI.
