Barcelona residents' associations have strongly criticised a proposed urban plan for Ciutat Vella, claiming it will allow seven new nightclubs and prioritises tourism over local needs. The plan, put forward by Jaume Collboni's government, faces a crucial vote this month.
Several groups, including the Federation of Neighbourhood Associations of Barcelona (FAVB), the Confederation of Neighbourhood Associations of Catalonia (Confavc), and the Raval Neighbourhood Network, voiced their concerns on Tuesday. They argue the project favours tourism at the expense of residents in the historic district. The associations highlighted that the plan reduces the minimum distance between nightlife venues, potentially leading to a proliferation of such establishments.
New Tourist Businesses Spark Alarm
Residents also warned that the new plan permits the expansion of tourist businesses previously prohibited by the 2019 urban plan. These include electric scooter, bicycle, and motorcycle rental services, luggage storage lockers, and new sales points for tourist activity tickets. Martí Cusó, from the Gòtic Neighbourhood Association, stated, "We oppose any plan with these dynamics of 'turistification' that does not put residents at the centre."
The associations believe the Ajuntament prioritises economic profitability by making commercial activities more flexible in strategic areas. These areas include the Rambla, a major tourist thoroughfare, and Via Laietana, a significant artery connecting the port to the Eixample district. This flexibility, they suggest, will help large brands and high-impact economic sectors enter the area. They question whether the plan truly aims to "protect the daily life of the neighbourhoods," arguing it further directs the city's historic centre towards tourism.
Political Opposition Mounts
Political parties have also expressed strong reservations about the proposed urban plan. Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) issued a statement on Tuesday, declaring the plan "incompatible with the will to protect the city's identity." ERC has demanded a public appearance from the municipal government to explain why it has chosen to disregard residents' needs and support a model that continues to promote tourism and commercial exploitation in Ciutat Vella.
Barcelona en Comú has also rejected the plan in recent weeks, sharing the view that it deepens the area's tourist focus. With this opposition, the Collboni government currently lacks the necessary support to pass the plan. The future of the urban plan now rests with Junts per Barcelona, which has yet to announce its vote. The group, led by Jordi Martí Galbis, expects to make its decision public after reviewing the final proposal.
A New Classification System
Councillor Damià Calvet of Junts per Barcelona has shown there is consensus on the need to revise the Ciutat Vella urban plan. Municipal government sources, however, maintain that they conducted an "extensive participatory process" during the plan's development. This process involved over 29 meetings with neighbourhood, commercial, business, and political groups, as well as individual citizens.
The new urban plan introduces a superior classification system for approximately 180 types of activities within the district. This system categorises activities based on their impact on public space, noise levels, quality of life, waste generation, and coexistence. Activities will fall into one of three categories: high impact, moderate impact, or activities to promote. This adds another layer of restriction beyond existing rules for specific business types, such as hairdressers or bars.
For example, a self-service shop previously required no similar establishment within a 50-metre radius. Under the new plan, as a high-impact activity, it would also be subject to a maximum number of high-impact establishments, such as restaurants or concert halls, allowed within a 100-metre radius. This dual restriction aims to make opening certain types of businesses more difficult. Residents and political groups will closely watch the upcoming plenary session to see if the Collboni government can secure the votes needed for approval.
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Originally published by Ara Cat. Read original article.
