Girona’s green lung has been saved from demolition following a landmark agreement between regional and local authorities.
The Jordi Vilamitjana park, a vital green space in the city’s Can Gibert del Pla neighbourhood, was set to disappear to make way for 347 apartments linked to the new Josep Trueta hospital health campus.
Girona’s green lung preserved in urban planning shift
After more than a year of campaigning by the ‘El Parc No es Toca’ platform, a solution has emerged.
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Consequently, the Generalitat’s Department of Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition, led by Councillor Sílvia Paneque, proposed relocating the compensatory buildings to the Mas Xirgu industrial estate area. The Girona city council has accepted this alternative, pending further study.
Furthermore, the agreement includes a series of public space improvement investments for various city neighbourhoods. These details will be finalised in a bilateral commission meeting before Christmas. This represents a significant shift in Catalonia’s approach to balancing development with environmental preservation.
“It is possible to build the Trueta, not affect the Jordi Vilamitjana Park, and make the maximum effort so that the Girona health campus is operational as soon as possible,” stated Councillor Paneque in a joint communication. Meanwhile, Girona’s mayor, Lluc Salellas, praised the work that has allowed the project to stay on schedule.
Community response and future steps
Community activists have welcomed the news with cautious optimism. “It’s good news, but the fight is not over until we see a signed plan,” said Anna Ballestero, spokesperson for El Parc No es Toca. “We don’t know the exact location, the economic viability, or whether private owners will agree.” The platform organised a full day of activities in the park recently, demonstrating strong local support for its preservation.
The agreement marks a turning point for what has been described as “the most important project promoted in the Girona region in recent decades.” Both parties emphasise that this improvement proposal cannot cause any delays to the health and research park that will replace the current Trueta hospital. Therefore, administrative procedures have accelerated this autumn.
This development reflects broader conversations about urban green spaces across Catalonia. Similar tensions between development and preservation are evident in projects like Barcelona’s new 40-hectare megapark, highlighting the regional importance of accessible green areas. The Girona council has initiated the approval phase for land redistribution and urbanisation projects, while the Generalitat has commissioned preliminary studies for the health campus design competition.
Ultimately, the preservation of Girona’s green lung represents a victory for community campaigning and a new model for sustainable urban development. The agreement demonstrates that major infrastructure projects and environmental conservation can coexist with careful planning and political will.
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