Do they represent citizens or mere economic interests?

A peaceful reaction of citizens to the oblivion of public authorities. They took in charge the protection of a public building through a plethora of solidarity-based and social innovation initiatives. The Pumarejo Mansion, a 250-year old heritage building owned by the city, has been transformed into a space for civic engagement in the centre of Seville. Despite its declaration as “Cultural Interest” by the Andalusian regional government in 2003, the town council has been refusing the responsibility for its renovation for over a decade. There is a big interest from private investors and unfortunately, like in many other European cities, the real-estate business seems stronger than the citizens' right to keep vital public areas. However, an ever-expanding group of people has devoted the last 12 years to preserve the building and denounce its gradual deterioration, which jeopardises the residential and civic use of the building.