Urban Planning, Ecological Transition, Urban Services and Housing

From a space with traffic and fumes to a space for pedestrians and full of greenery. The transformation of Glòries enters its final stage at the end of 2022, once the ‘Canòpia-Túnels’ project defining the central section of the park is approved. The project covers an area of 4.3 hectares, from the large grass clearing to the tram lines in front of the Museu del Disseny. Work gets under way at the end of the year and is expected to take 20 months, with a budget of 26.4 million euros.

The transformation of Glòries culminates with the revamp to the central park. The so-called ‘Canòpia-Túnels’ project is the third stage of the ‘Canòpia Urbana’ stage, which was started in 2019 under the phrase ‘Canòpia Clariana’, opening the square up to citizens and turning it into a green lung. The project continued with the revamp to the tram lines, in a stage entitled ‘Canòpia-Tramvia’.

What will the park in the centre of Glòries be like?

• A park for strolling in. Three main green routes will converge in the park, with paths for pedestrians: two from Av. Diagonal and one from Av. Meridiana and Gran Via.
• A park offering comfort, with greenery, shade and cool air. In all, 472 new trees will be planted in addition to the 46 trees which were already there, plus 9,078 square metres of greenery. The park will also have 23.840 bushes of different species spread around its biodiversity nodes, along with parterres and rain gardens to help towards efficient water management there.
• A park to spend time in. The park will have 22 benches, 176 seats, six picnic tables, four drinking fountains, an ornamental fountain, two kiosks and 79 litter bins.

The park will feature:

• A sensory agora in memory of the activist Berta Càceres. Offering 1,000 square metres of useful space, surrounded by giant bamboo and used for cultural events.
• An immersion garden. A garden of 1,292 square metres, with low water requirements and offering access to the metro station.
• An umbracle. A multi-purpose area of 668 square metres for activities and events in the shade.
• A recreation area for dogs. A space of 760 square metres where dogs can run and play.
• A large play area. A unique and accessible children’s play area with 35 play elements, a sandpit and rest areas, covering a space of 1,968 square metres.
• A water park. A space of 104 square metres which will become a water installation for children in the summer months and a rest area for the rest of the year.
• A viewing point, stands and a green space. On the side nearest the Llobregat, right next to Gran Via.
• And the return of the sculpture El Meridià, which during the transformation process was temporarily located in Av. Meridiana.