From mobilization to organization: The journey of the neighborhood movement to neighborhood associations following the law of associations of 1964

Abstract

The neighborhood movement in Spain, which emerged in the last years of Franco’s regime, became a pillar of civil resistance and democratic education. This work highlights how neighborhood associations, facing the authoritarian regime, became «schools of democracy,» significantly influencing the transition to democracy and the formation of a new city model. Through the demand for urban improvements and public services, these organizations promoted a more inclusive and participatory city vision, marking a change in urban planning and local management. The Law of Associations of 1964, despite its original intention to restrict social organization, ironically facilitated the formation and expansion of neighborhood associations, allowing their consolidation as forces of change during and after Franco’s regime. These associations not only challenged the regime but also played a crucial role in the democratization of Spain and in promoting more equitable urban planning.