Barcelona has reopened the first remodelled stretch of La Rambla, between the Colom monument and Santa Madrona. The section opened on 17 June 2024, with wider pavements and upgraded infrastructure for people living in and visiting the city.
Mayor Jaume Collboni led the inauguration, alongside Deputy Mayor Laia Bonet and Ciutat Vella councillor Albert Batlle. Collboni said La Rambla is the heart of Barcelona and described the project as a symbol of the city’s recovery and future.
Bonet said the new Rambla is a more human, greener, more accessible and more sustainable space. The council says the changes are meant to give back public space to pedestrians, in a district with 260,000 residents and heavy tourist footfall.
The first phase widened the pavement on the sea side from 6 metres to 10.5 metres. It also added new benches and kiosks, new lighting, a modern drainage system to help prevent flooding, new plane trees, and renewed underground services including gas, water, electricity and fibre optics.
The Barcelona City Council approved the full remodelling plan in 2017. The first phase cost 10 million euros and began in October 2021. The wider project is estimated at 55.6 million euros and is due to finish by 2030.
The second phase is due to start in autumn 2024, covering the stretch between Santa Madrona and Plaça del Teatre. For more on the district, see Ciutat Vella, and for related local coverage, browse our Community stories and Sport updates.
Originally published by Ajuntament de Barcelona. Read the original article.
