Urban Planning, Ecological Transition, Urban Services and Housing

A year-long process gets under way today for experts to debate the future of the city’s beaches, to seek solutions to the challenges posed by the climate emergency and come up with a roadmap. The priority is to guarantee a sustainably managed and resilient coastline which adapts to the climate crisis and preserves coastal biodiversity.

Barcelona’s beaches are mainly artificial and short on sand, with waves and currents eroding some 40,000 cubic metres a year.

The worst affected beaches between 2010 and 2019 were the Nova Icària, losing 71% of its surface area, the Llevant (72%) and the Mar Bella (85%).

The width of the beach is less than 25 metres in the most critical spots.

How does the climate emergency affect the beaches?

The rise in the sea level, the increase in torrential rain and the impact of waves lead to:

• Flooding
• Damage to promenades, groynes and port infrastructures
• Loss of sand

The working group, set up in line with the goals of the Coastline Plan, along with the action set out in the Climate Emergency Declaration, will seek solutions to the various problems facing the city’s beaches. The group is made up of experts from research centres, universities and other organisations, along with specialist municipal staff.