An Emerging Energy Community. The Case Study of Viladecans in Catalonia

Abstract

The global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy has redefined spatial patterns of development, challenging traditional paradigms of urban planning and governance (Brown et al., 2017). As cities become critical nodes in the energy transition, understanding how local initiatives address technological, physical, and social dimensions becomes imperative. Viladecans, located in Catalonia, is an exemplary case of integrating innovative energy governance through the Vilawatt project (Viladecans 2030 Urban Agenda, 2024). While addressing regional patterns of socio-spatial inequality, this project expands on community cooperation, energy-efficient building renovations, and the use of renewable energy sources to further global sustainability goals. The energy transition should be viewed as a more comprehensive process of social and spatial change rather than just a change in technology. Viladecans' experience serves as an example of how local governments can navigate the complex relationship between spatial justice and equitable development while charting realistic paths towards sustainability with the support of EU frameworks (EU, 2023).