Barcelona

17 Sep Barcelona

While known for its beaches and sunshine, Barcelona has long pushed its green agenda to promote sustainability in its urban infrastructure.

Spain’s popular party destination is strictly business when it comes to green initiatives—and has been for a long time. Barcelona introduced a system of public bicycles in 2007 to cut down on traffic and rising air pollution, a successful project that now has 450 pick-up stations all around the city. In 2016, Catalonia’s capital launched the concept of superblocks in its Eixample neighborhood, a project that encompasses nine blocks aimed at lowering nitrogen dioxide and carbon emissions by restricting traffic to major roads to allow pedestrians and cyclists free reign.

A new 10-year initiative was announced in 2020 to expand the city’s green zones with investments of $46.5 million. The new plan will cover 21 additional streets and provide 21 new pedestrian plazas. A total of 80 percent of the roads within the project are to be shaded by foliage. A competition for the design of the project was completed and construction is due to begin in early 2022. As the city wakes up from its deep slumber during the COVID-19 pandemic, city officials are rallying for sustainable transformation to prepare for an expected influx in tourism.