Urban Planning, Ecological Transition, Urban Services and Housing

The Government Commission has approved the Christmas light contract, which will be worth a sum of 810,444 euros and enable another four kilometres of street sections to be lit up compared to last year.

Nine different lots will be tendered, covering the new sections to be illuminated in the streets of Balmes and Aragó, Ronda Sant Pere, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes and some streets affected by long-term works.

There is also a project to regain the lights of the Trinitat Vella Retailers’ Association and the Fundació Raval Km 0, in Ciutat Vella, plus a lot for lighting for public streets with Christmas stars.

In the section to foster commerce in the neighbourhood, lighting is planned in various streets in Ciutat Vella, Zona Franca, El Carmel, Torre Baró, Trinitat Vella, Guinardó, La Verneda and other areas.

Lighting in line with the city’s identity

The model introduced last year is to be consolidated in collaboration with the commerce and design sectors, opting for conceptualisation, creativity and up-to-date design of illuminations to make them visually consistent with the city’s identity and the needs of the surroundings.

Besides the new tendering process, there’s also continuity for the contract which saw new lighting introduced in the city centre last year, in the area between Pl. Catalunya, C/ Aragó and Gran Via, with a design by the Estudi Antoni Arola. The budget for this is 472,000 euros.

Illuminations will also be back in Pl. Urquinaona, Av. Paral·lel and Via Laietana, with a budget of 74,657 euros, while nearly 80,000 euros will be allocated for the Christmas decorations at municipal markets.

Collaboration with retail associations

Collaboration with retail associations in the city make it possible for hundreds of other streets and squares can be decorated for the Christmas season all around the city’s neighbourhoods.

The application period for the call for Christmas lighting subsidies ends on 14 June. Subsidies are aimed at local retailers’ associations and can cover up to 75% of the cost.

A model is also offered to seventeen associations at shopping hubs, whereby the City Council covers the installation costs and each hub pays their part at the end.

An overall investment of 2,237,500 euros is expected in Christmas lighting in city streets over the festive season.