Plaça de les Glòries 1308

Barcelona is one of the cities with more vehicles and with one of the highest indexes of contamination in Europe. 95% of Barcelona’s Eixample’s surface is covered by buildings, paved sidewalks and asphalt. Only 5% of its surface is not paved and therefore permeable.

We are in front of an evident disequilibrium that makes us think that perhaps, the great opening that will result from the demolition of the ring in Plaça de les Glòries should be left unbuilt for some time, without making it impermeable. Allow the city to enjoy a great void, stabilized temporarily by means of great tree plantations of different species. Barcelona doesn’t need more construction, more cars, more paved and impermeable surfaces. Barcelona’s Eixample asks for more public transportation, more bicycles more trees and more green areas.

We propose reducing progressively the vehicle traffic until Gran Via can be cut off when arriving at Glories, becoming thus a destination and starting point rather than a bypass, a new centre for Barcelona and a new model for the city. Barcelona needs a great green lung that spreads through the streets around Glories and into the City.

We believe that some of the existing buildings within the scope of the project could be reutilized. We firmly believe in refurbishing and improving the energetic efficiency of these buildings. A model for economic growth more sustainable than demolition. A model to extend to all of the city’s buildings.

We envision light interventions, reversible and transformable, that allow present and future activities. Future scenarios that our generation cannot presently anticipate.