Connected Tramway

Preparation of a study on the proposals and positions or stances of the different players involved regarding the connection of the tramways between 2008 and 2015. This study has served to identify the map of players associated with the project and to systematise their contributions and positions over the past few years, as well as to plan the broadest, two-way, active listening process possible.

Collection and analysis of proposals on connecting the tramways and on altering Avda Diagonal, which was carried out during the participation process for the Municipal Action Plan (PAM) via the Decidim.barcelona platform.

On 31 March 2016, a meeting of Mobility Pact members was called to present and debate the studies commissioned by the City Council on connecting the tramways.

A report on the standpoints and viewpoints of the players and key players involved was drawn up between June and July 2016, based on seven thematic interviews or focus groups, in which the views of the supporters of public transport and defenders of air quality were gathered, along with those of city cyclists, pedestrians and people with reduced mobility, people who use private vehicles, professional associations, residents’ organisations and the city’s commercial and services sector, on the initial municipal studies and proposals. The report systematises and organises the information collected into six main thematic areas, which respond to the strategic themes facing the tramway network connection project during its development. These themes are the geometric matching (sections), mobility, social, economic and environmental aspects, legal and economic aspects of the operation, and participation and communication.

Participation in various information sessions, promoted and organised by sector organisations and local-resident associations affected by the project. These sessions have focused on creating awareness of the content of technical studies for connecting the tramway network. More specifically, the following information sessions have been held:

• Information session for CCOO union representatives at railway construction material and transport companies on 28 September 2016.
• Information session for the Fort Pienc and Sagrada Família neighbourhoods, at the Ramon Llull primary school, on 14 December 2016.
• Information session to the Industrial Engineers Association on 12 January 2017.
• Information session for the Esquerra de l’Eixample and Sant Antoni neighbourhoods, at the Espai Calàbria 66 on 14 March 2017.
• Information session for the Clot and Camp de l’Arpa neighbourhoods in the Clot-Camp de l’Arpa Residents Association centre on 10 May 2017.
• Information session for the Poblenou, Diagonal Mar i Front Marítim, Parc i Vila Olímpica neighbourhoods at the Vila Olímpica neighbourhood centre on 14 June 2017.

Bearing in mind the process of tendering, awarding the contract and drafting the Information Study on linking up the Trambaix and Trambesòs networks, and drawing up of the final project for implementing a unified tramway network, it was felt it was appropriate to launch the following stage in the process which involves setting up a project monitoring committee.

Why this Committee?
The purpose of the committee monitoring the linking up of the tramways between Pl de les Glòries and Pl de Francesc Macià is to share the main criteria that make up the municipal proposal for connecting the tramway networks with the players involved, as well as to listen to and discuss with the local, city and metropolitan players involved the monitoring of the works drawn up in the Information Study, the final project and the development of the works.

This process also aims to open up a two-way communication channel between the authorities and project players, to facilitate the exchange of information and the reception of proposals and recommendations during the project's preparation and development.

Where?
Connecting the tramways between Glòries and Francesc Macià has an impact on the surrounding neighbourhoods and also on the whole city and the metropolitan area. That is why it is considered to be a city project and the players involved in the proposed Monitoring Committee respond to these different levels.

Who?

Apart from the players involved in the Monitoring Committee, it will be necessary to open the process up to the group of residents of the neighbourhoods linked to the project through the Neighbourhood Councils as soon as there is a specific proposal for redeveloping the Avenue.

• Project with a steering group.. The Monitoring Committee is driven by the Urban Ecology Area of Barcelona City Council

• Players involved or that need to be involved

  The purpose of this Committee will be to receive and follow-up the drafts of the information study and final project, and to ensure the continuity of the two-way communication channel between the administration and the players set up during the earlier participatory stages.

  The Monitoring committee will be comprised of the following bodies, associations and organisations:

  Neighbourhood and traders associations: FAVB, Sant Gervasi Sud, Sant Gervasi – Galvany, Josep Tarradellas, Turó Parc, Les Corts, Pedralbes, Maternitat i Sant Ramon, Fort Pienc, Sagrada Família, Passeig de Sant Joan, Dreta l’Eixample, Sant Antoni, Vila de Gràcia, l’Antiga Esquerra de l’Eixample, Nova Esquerra de l’Eixample, Poblenou, Parc i la Llacuna, Clot-Camp de l’Arpa, Diagonal Mar i Front Marítim, Vila Olímpica, Besòs-Maresme, Barcelona Comerç Foundation, Barcelona Oberta, Associació Diagonal Barcelona, Cor Eixample, Amics del Passeig de Gràcia, Comerciants Avinguda Tarradellas, Barcelona Council of Guilds for Commerce, Services and Tourism, PIMEC and Barcelona Chamber of Commerce.

  Mobility associations: Catalan Coordinator of Bicycle Users (CCUB), BACC, PTP, Air Quality Platform, RACC, P(A)T, Stop Accidents, Barcelona Camina, Municipal Institute for People with Disabilities (IMPD).

  Professional schools: Col·legi d’Arquitectes de Catalunya (COAC), Col·legi d’Aparelladors, Arquitectes Tècnics i Enginyers d’Edificació de Barcelona (CAATEEB), Col·legi d’Enginyers Industrials de Catalunya (EIC), Col·legi d’Enginyers Tècnics Industrials de Barcelona (EBCN), Col·legi d’Enginyers de Camins, Canals i Ports (camins.cat), Col·legi d’Ambientòlegs de Catalunya (COAMB), Col·legi d’Enginyers Tècnics d’Obres Públiques de Catalunya(CETOP), Col·legi d’Economistes de Catalunya.

  Universities: UPF (Poblenou and Ciutadella campus), UPC (Nord and Besòs campus) and UB (Diagonal and Poblenou).

  Metropolitan organisations: AMB, the City Councils of Sant Feliu, Sant Joan Despí, Cornellà, Sant Just, Esplugues, Sant Adrià , Badalona and Hospitalet.

How and when?

The Monitoring Committee’s first meeting on connecting the tramways took place on 24 July at 7 pm in the Sala Barcelona at the offices of the Urban Ecology Department, No. 240 Avinguda Diagonal, 2nd floor. From then on, the Monitoring Committee will meet every quarter and the minutes will be written up to include the main elements discussed in each session. These minutes, as well as the information presented during the sessions, can be consulted in the specific section about the project on the Urban Ecology website.

A working group format may be suggested for work between the quarterly meetings of the Monitoring Committee, with a more technical direction and on specific topics.