Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a Mediterranean city that has experienced a major socioeconomic urban revival in the run-up to the 1992 Summer Olympics and has, according to some sources, the highest quality of urban life in Europe, mainly because of its mild climate, cultural infrastructure, and availability of public spaces, such as parks and beaches. As a signatory to a number of international agreements on climate change, Barcelona is committed to becoming a sustainable city; however, it currently faces issues in waste disposal, water, and energy supply that pose serious obstacles to this ambition.