Urban Planning, Ecological Transition, Urban Services and Housing

The transformation of Glòries is complete, turning the area into a new public space connecting the districts of Sant Martí and L’Eixample and gaining nine hectares for use by local people, plus 30,000 square metres of greenery with over 1,000 trees. A celebration was organised with family activities to inaugurate the new local park, which will act as a green lung for the city.

Space for strolling and meeting

The process transformed 4.3 hectares of space, in addition to the 4.7 hectares already completed in previous stages. The result is a park that includes biodiversity and climate comfort, as well as spaces for everyday recreational activity.

The space connects with Av. Diagonal, Av. Meridiana and Gran Via, which all continue as the main paths and routes across the central part of Glòries, with routes for pedestrians. The intersection of various routes is transformed into a meeting point for the main green corridors and other local streets.

One notable feature is a linear path with a decorative fountain, following a straight line and connecting the ends of Av. Diagonal, enabling pedestrians and bicycles to circulate between the tree line and furniture of the green area. Signposting and marks on the ground indicate the paths of Av. Diagonal and Av. Meridiana as they cross the park.

Glòries also offers one of the city’s main public transport interchanges in the area just in front of the Disseny Hub building. Now fully operational, the interchange connects three modes or transport: the L1 metro line, the T4, T5 and T6 tram lines and the TMB bus services H12 and 7, and the N2 and N7 Nitbus services.

Green space

The Parc de les Glòries has three main goals: firstly to create a hybrid urban ecosystem that equally combines nature and the city; secondly to create a harmonious connection between the subsoil, city land and metropolitan horizons, and thirdly, to offer a place that brings all the functions of a park together in one place.

The trees in the Parc de les Glòries respond to sustainability criteria, meaning the main species chosen need less water, and with resilience criteria allowing them to adapt to our environment and to climate change.  Almost 63% of species planted are deciduous trees, allowing sunlight through in the winter, without overlooking the choice of other species that favour biodiversity, with different characteristics, blossoms, textures and formats etc.

Species of bushes and perennial vegetation also respond to sustainability criteria, have less water and maintenance requirements and are suitable for biodiversity, with highly diverse groupings that favour the implementation of urban fauna. Two spaces for specific types of species also stand out: crass and succulent plants in the immersion garden, which retain water in times of drought, and bamboo at the Àgora de Berta Cáceres, which traps large quantities of CO₂.

All watering installations in the park have groundwater access, and all the sectors with watering infrastructure implemented in this new stage use drip systems for efficient and sustainable hydration. Biodiversity nodes and the sustainable drainage system (SUDS) also help towards more efficient water management.

The urban canopy project aims, as far as possible, to restore the natural cycles within the urban environment. Paving will direct rainwater to green surfaces, where it drains into the ground and helps refill groundwater. Plant density and new fertile soil will also help regulate the climate and add freshness and comfort in the summer.

New spaces

The main activity nodes in the park are:

• Àgora Berta Cáceres: a sensory space of 1,000 m² of useful space (2,518 m² of overall space) for multiple uses. Surrounded by giant bamboo, offering a space for cultural events.
• Jardí d’immersió: a space of 1,292 m² with plant species requiring less water, also providing access to the metro station.
• L’umbracle: multi-purpose space of 668 m² for various activities and events in the shade.
• Dog recreation area: with an overall surface area of 1,144 m².
• Node dinàmic (superplay area): unique and accessible children’s games for different ages with 35 play elements, a sandpit and areas for relaxation. Overall surface area of 1,968 m².
• Node fresc, including a water park (geared towards children) of 104 m² for the summer months and a as an area to relax in during the rest of the year.

On the side of the square nearest the Llobegat we find the Gran Via viewing point, an area of terraces and green space looking over the Gran Via. The space includes 22 benches, 176 seats, 49 easy chairs, 6 picnic tables, 79 litter bins, 4 drinking fountains, 1 decorative fountain (separated into two areas) and 2 kiosks.