In a bid to quell relentless tourist pressure around Antoni Gaudí’s iconic basilica, Barcelona’s City Council has activated a sweeping Action Plan covering 2024–2027. The goal: transform the high-traffic zone into a more liveable, organised and respectful space for residents and local life.
1. The EGA Action Plan: A Comprehensive Framework
Titled the Action Plan for the Sagrada Família High-Influx Space (EGA), the initiative outlines 37 targeted measures backed by a budget of approximately €15.4 million. The plan continues through to 2027 and is currently about 65% underway .
Crafted in collaboration with neighbourhood associations and organisations, the plan confronts four major challenges:
- Overcrowded public spaces
- Decline of local commerce
- Unmanageable visitor flux
- Neglected community life
2. Immediate Interventions: Civic Presence and Waste Management
To address rising tensions and unsanitary conditions, authorities have:
- Deployed the Service to Manage Social Conflicts in Urban Space (SGC) to mediate and prevent disturbances.
- Enhanced efforts by the Guàrdia Urbana and cleaning services, including installation of ten high-capacity, self-compacting waste bins, offering five times the capacity of standard bins .
- Increased the presence of six civic officers (mid-July onwards), who provide assistance and monitor responsible public use near the basilica and bus drop-off zones .
3. Planning for Long-Term Change: The “Selfie Square”
One of the most visible measures is the planned selfie-focused plaza on Plaça Gaudí. Spanning roughly 6,200 m², this “anteroom” is designed to accommodate tourist photography away from infrastructures and local pedestrian zones. It will connect Plaça Gaudí and the paths leading to the basilica, easing congestion and encouraging smoother visitor circulation .
Expected to be completed by April 2026, the timing aligns with the centenary of Gaudí’s death .
For context, each year the Sagrada Família itself sees about 4.7 million visitors, while the surrounding area receives between 18 and 22 million, placing immense strain on a public realm never intended for such volumes .
4. Local Voices and Uneven Reception
Despite these efforts, frustration among residents remains high. Locals describe the basilica’s surroundings as a “tourist monoculture,” where over 70% of businesses cater to visitors, such as souvenir shops, with almost no local service outlets—41 souvenir stores versus just one fishmonger . Many argue that while these measures are positive, they do not yet sufficiently address the deeper transformation required for true coexistence.
Conclusion
Barcelona’s multi-pronged initiative—from civic mediation to infrastructure redesign—marks a pivotal step in reclaiming the Sagrada Família’s environs. The “selfie square” exemplifies how urban design can steer tourism while safeguarding local life. Still, for residents, the challenge remains: ensuring these interventions restore, rather than merely reshape, the communal heart of their neighbourhood.
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