Barcelona public housing project has received its official green light, paving the way for a major urban transformation at the historic Fira de Montjuïc site.

The city government has approved a landmark plan to build 548 new public homes alongside a constellation of community facilities, fundamentally extending the Poble-sec neighbourhood.

Barcelona Public Housing Project to Create New Neighbourhood

The ambitious scheme will see four large exhibition halls demolished to make way for a completely new residential area.

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Consequently, the project aims to house approximately 1,300 people in a mixed-use development centred around a new public square. Furthermore, the plan includes creating nearly 6,800 square metres of new green space, a vital addition for the densely populated district.

Laia Bonet, Deputy Mayor, emphasised the project’s role in addressing the city’s housing crisis. She stated it represents a crucial step towards the municipal priority of “the right to stay” in Barcelona. This initiative comes as the city grapples with significant pressure on its housing market, a situation detailed in recent analysis of Spain’s housing shortage.

According to the official project details, the new neighbourhood will be structured around two new streets intersecting the site near Plaça Universitat. The 500 social housing units will be complemented by 48 additional service apartments.

The Barcelona public housing project is designed as a fully integrated community hub. Therefore, it will include a wide range of new public facilities. For instance, the current Pavilion 2 on Rius i Taulet street will be converted into a sports centre. Additionally, a new primary healthcare centre (CAP) is planned, with access from Lleida street.

Local services will see significant upgrades. The city’s fire service will expand its existing facilities, and the Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer school will gain a larger playground. This comprehensive approach to urban planning reflects a broader shift in the city’s development strategy, a topic explored in discussions about Barcelona’s urban transformation.

Looking ahead, the future of this Barcelona public housing district could be enhanced by a proposed metro extension. The regional government is studying plans to prolong the L2 line to serve Montjuïc’s facilities before continuing to the Zona Franca. Accordingly, the new neighbourhood may eventually have its own dedicated metro station.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2029, with an initial budget of €90.6 million. The works are expected to conclude around 2034, coinciding with the centenary of the 1929 International Exposition which originally shaped the area. This long-term vision for the Barcelona public housing project demonstrates the city’s commitment to sustainable, community-focused development for future generations.

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