Urban Planning, Ecological Transition, Urban Services and Housing

The Full Council has given definitive approval for a special heritage protection plan for Gràcia’s old quarter, allowing for the preservation of the urban make-up, identity and specific characteristics of the old nucleus of the neighbourhood. The plan includes a review of listed buildings and elements, doubling the number of protected properties from 564 to 1,026 and setting out the criteria for their preservation.

The current general metropolitan plan, approved in 1976, addressed Gràcia’s old quarter without anticipating any sort of specific protection, although steps were later taken to correct this, such as the special improvement plan for the protection and interior renovation of the Vila de Gràcia.

The new plan seeks to implement comprehensive protection, safeguard plots of land, houses and private spaces linked to the origin and development of Gràcia, and to promote the renovation and maintenance of housing and environmental sustainability. The special plan revises the protection of heritage elements in Vila de Gràcia and parts of the neighbourhoods of La Salut, Vallcarca i els Penitents and El Camp d’en Grassot i Gràcia Nova.

One of the most notable elements is the creation of the protected nucleus of Vila de Gràcia. The area consists of 398 buildings which give the neighbourhood layout its specific character compared to other parts of Barcelona. Besides the 398 protected buildings, preventive conditions also apply to the whole nucleus.

The preservation of private greenery is also essential for the plan, as 59% of the 35.2 hectares of greenery there is on private properties. To consolidate the environmental role of these spaces, the plan includes an obligation to maintain gardens in certain properties and assess the degree of maintenance and preservation of courtyards and garden in any action carried out in the protected area.

Amendment to the General Metropolitan Plan

Along with the update to the catalogue of listed properties, the amendment to the Metropolitan General Plan (MPGM) is the second element which will help safeguard the singularity of Gràcia. It includes the urban tools for conserving and maintaining the area from the point of view of regeneration and revitalisation, rather than replacement, with an environmentally sustainable vision built into it. The documents for the amendment should be ready early next year, so that it can start making its way through the administrative steps.