Urban Planning, Ecological Transition, Urban Services and Housing

This week sees Barcelona City Council finalise the administrative procedure for the two urban development projects for the first stage to connect the tram systems in Av. Diagonal and start the tender process for the work, which should get under way in autumn 2021. One of the projects is for the development of Av. Diagonal, between C/ Girona and C/ Castillejos, and the other is for the ‘Canòpia-Àmbit Tramvia’ area.

This week sees Barcelona City Council give final approval to the two urban planning projects for the first stage of the connection of the tram networks.

Final approval was given to the first one on 16 March by the Commission for Ecology, Urban Planning, Infrastructures and Mobility, which gave the green light to the urban development project for Av. Diagonal, between C/ Girona and C/ Castillejos, for a total amount of 34.8 million euros (including VAT).

The second project, for the urban development of the area known as the “Canòpia-Àmbit Tramvia”, will go before the the Government Commission on Thursday 18 March, where it is also expected to gain final approval for a total amount of 21.4 million euros (including VAT).

With both projects completing the final steps in the administrative process, Barcelona City Council will start to tender the contracts before the summer with a view to work getting under way in the autumn of 2021.

The connection of the tram systems will give Barcelona a public transport system which links nine municipalities in the metropolitan area and moves towards a better connected, healthier, friendlier and more sustainable city.

Urban development of Av. Diagonal between C/ Girona and C/ Castillejos

The project approved by the Commission for Ecology, Urban Planning , Infrastructures and Mobility is for a section of 1.5 kilometres in Av. Diagonal and involves an area of 77,120 m2.

The project sets out changes to current uses with a reduction in private motor vehicles in favour of the expansion and improvement of pedestrian space, cyclable space and green areas.

Two different sections are planned in this area of Av. Diagonal: one for the section between Pg. Sant Joan and C/ Marina, and the other for the section between C/ Marina and Pl. Glòries.

It is worth noting that in the section between C/ Girona and Pg Sant Joan, work will only affect the central strip of Av. Diagonal and will be provisional, allowing the start/finish point for the first stage to be made ready.

Passeig de Sant Joan-Carrer de la Marina

This section puts the tram lines and a broad two-way bike lane nearly four metres wide along the central strip of the avenue, separated by a green strip 3.4 metres wide along which tram stops will be located.

At the same time, pavements will be widened from the current 3 metres to more than 7, providing broad and pleasant places to stroll in like those between Pl. Francesc Macià and Pl. Cinc d’Oros.

Traffic will be cut to two lanes in each direction and positioned along the sides of the avenue between two rows of trees on each side, affording good connectivity with the rest of the streets without interfering with the tram or the bike lane.

Carrer de la Marina-Carrer de Castillejos

The second section, between C / Marina and C/ Castillejos, has different characteristics in that this stretch is conditioned by the road tunnel which runs below ground very close to the course of the tram lines.

This section maintains the central pedestrian area and extends the green strips along the sides by 1.5 metres, lessening the current slope and making it possible to locate the tram lines on each side of this central strip.

At the same time, traffic calming measures will be applied along the side lanes, with one lane of traffic providing access for local residents, pavements will be widened from the current 5 metres to 7 metres, in continuity with the pavements in the first section, and the continuity of the two-way bike lane maintained on the side nearest the mountains..

Urban development project for the Canòpia-Àmbit Tramvia

In parallel with the finalisation of this procedure, this Thursday should also see the Government Commission give final approval for the ‘Canòpia-Àmbit Tramvia’ development project.

The project is for an area of 40,725 m2 and includes the work on the tram section between C/ Castillejos and C/ Badajoz, where it goes through Pl. Glòries.

Here the project will reurbanise Av. Diagonal between C/ Castillejos and C/ Cartagena (Rambla dels Encants); carry out work on the Llobregat side of Rambla dels Encants between Av. Diagonal and C/ Casp; include a public transport interchange in front of the façade of the Museu del Disseny de Barcelona and carry out the revamp linked to the provisional connection between the tram systems and the current tracks in Av. Diagonal and Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes (on the Besòs side of the park).

The work thus follows the entire Llobregat and sea-facing perimeters of the future park. The whole area is to be developed using curbless paving, giving priority to pedestrians and reducing private traffic to routes for local residents and services.

In the area around Av. Diagonal (between C/ Castillejos and C/ Cartagena), the plan gives continuity to the section established in the urban plan to connect the tram systems between C/ Marian and C/ Castillejos.

The urban development of the whole side of the Canòpia park nearest the sea includes the section between C/ Cartagena and C/ Badajoz. It comprises the most important part, both in terms of surface areas and the fact that some of the most significant elements will be built here.

One is the new transport interchange for tram lines T4, T5 and T6, various urban and inter-urban bus services and the interchange with the Glòries stop on the L1 metro line.. This area will include the pergolas with solar panelling, a unique element.

Finally, the project also covers the urbanisation of a section of Av. Meridiana and C/ Àlaba, enabling the connection with the T4 tram line. The most important works in this area are: the inclusion of reception gardens at the current entrances to the Glòries (L1) station, surrounding the exit stairs for the metro and the current lift, the continuation of the Rambla dels Encants and work on the pavements next to the Mercat dels Encants.