Barcelona’s Catalan Parliament will expand its facilities with an 8,000 square metre new building on Wellington Street 1, currently occupied by municipal stables. A tripartite agreement now unblocks this long-delayed project, pending for over two decades. The Parliament, the Generalitat, and Barcelona City Council signed a cooperation protocol to integrate the expansion within the transforming Parc de la Ciutadella.
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This new building will alleviate critical space saturation, which has caused significant operational problems for the institution. Josep Rull, President of the Catalan Parliament, stated, “There is critical saturation in the Parliament, which generates operational problems; we are at capacity limit.” The existing 17,000 square metres of usable space currently accommodates 450 workers. Additionally, the Parliament receives hundreds of daily visitors, further straining its capacity. In recent years, the institution has converted terraces and other available spaces into offices and workrooms to cope with the demand.
Addressing Critical Space Needs
The new facility will also include underground parking, significantly reducing vehicle entry into Parc de la Ciutadella. This measure aims to improve the park’s environment for residents and visitors. Officials initially approved the expansion project in 2006 but it stalled for years due to the economic crisis. Salvador Illa, President of the Generalitat, remarked, “Today we recover the project because Catalonia has regained the capacity for understanding between institutions.” This agreement represents a significant step forward for inter-institutional collaboration in Catalonia.
The protocol ensures the political functions of the Parliament remain in the historic Palau del Parlament, a building with deep historical and symbolic roots for Catalonia. The new building will primarily house parliamentary services and administrative functions. President Rull explained, “We could have moved the entire Parliament elsewhere, but we wanted to keep it here due to the historical and symbolic significance of this location.” This decision preserves the institution’s connection to its traditional home within the city.
Ciutadella Park’s Scientific Transformation
The Parliament’s expansion forms a key piece of the broader transformation of Parc de la Ciutadella, a vital green space for Barcelona residents. Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona, highlighted, “The space is evolving to become a hub for science and scientific dissemination, shaping a new centrality in the city.” This vision aims to establish the park as a prominent centre for research and public engagement with science. Recent renovations within the park include the historic Hivernacle, a large iron and glass greenhouse, and the Martorell Museum, Barcelona’s first public museum.
Future plans for the park involve further restoration of significant structures, including the Tres Dragons building and the Umbracle, a shaded plant house. Additionally, a comprehensive renewal project for the Barcelona Zoo, located within the park, is currently underway. These developments collectively aim to enhance the park’s appeal and functionality for both local communities and international visitors. The transformation reinforces Ciutadella’s role as a cultural and scientific landmark in the city.
New Wellington Promenade and Stables Relocation
Barcelona City Council also plans a new Wellington promenade, designed to improve pedestrian access and connectivity in the area. Mayor Collboni expects works for this promenade to commence this month. This new public space will extend towards the future state library and should open within a year, further integrating the area. The municipal stables, currently located at Wellington Street 1, will relocate to a more suitable site near Collserola Park, a large natural park bordering Barcelona. This move frees up the prime city-centre location for the Parliament’s expansion.
The protocol also protects the Palau del Parlament as a heritage asset, ensuring its preservation for future generations. The Catalan Parliament, in agreement with the City Council, will issue a public tender for the new building’s project design. This collaborative approach underscores the shared commitment to both functional expansion and historical preservation.
Project Timeline and Future Steps
Officials expect construction works for the new parliamentary building to begin in approximately five years. They anticipate the new facilities could become operational two to three years after that, potentially by 2033. Before construction starts, the city must modify and approve new urban planning regulations for the area. Authorities will also conduct studies to assess and mitigate the impact on mobility from relocating activities to the new space. This comprehensive plan addresses both the Parliament’s urgent needs and the strategic development of a significant Barcelona green space, promising long-term benefits for the city.
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Originally published by La Vanguardia Barcelona. Read original article.
