Barcelona City Council has initiated procedures to implement a uniform aesthetic for all terraces on La Rambla, designating the iconic promenade a "zone of excellence for terraces". This significant transformation will see a new, cohesive design for outdoor seating areas, visible from February when major renovation works conclude.
The council has partnered with Foment de les Arts i del Disseny (FAD), Amics de la Rambla, and the Gremi de Restauració to create a comprehensive style guide. This guide dictates the design of furniture, materials, table and chair shapes, cushion colours, and parasol forms. A competition will also define the look of blackboards, screens, and separators between establishments.
Mayor Jaume Collboni emphasised the visual and aesthetic enjoyment this initiative aims to bring. "We want there to be visual and aesthetic enjoyment on La Rambla," he stated. This measure, a first for Barcelona, will affect 24 terraces, reducing the maximum number of tables from 382 to 322. These tables will sit between tree pits, not in front of establishments.
New Standards for Iconic Promenade
The new regulations also cap each terrace at a maximum of 24 tables. Narrower sections at the top of La Rambla will permit fewer tables, while wider areas, such as the Rambla de Santa Mònica, will allow more. Chief Architect Maria Buhigas explained that the style guide primarily defines minimum quality standards, with a price range deemed acceptable by the Gremi de Restauradors.
This move represents a departure from the previous, often disparate, appearance of terrace furniture and signage. For years, the visual clutter and lack of cohesion on La Rambla's terraces drew criticism from residents and urban planners alike. The new unified approach seeks to restore a sense of order and elegance to one of Barcelona's most visited thoroughfares.
Combating Trivialisation of Public Space
Mayor Collboni strongly condemned elements he considers incompatible with the new model. "Large coloured glasses, blackboards in the middle of the promenade, and photographs of paellas are incompatible with the new proposed model," he declared. He also reiterated the ban on touts, stating, "Touts are not permitted, neither now nor after the reform."
Collboni stressed Barcelona's identity as a design city. "This is Barcelona. A city of design can and must use this knowledge and fight against the trivialisation of public space," he asserted. He highlighted the need to combine spaces with aesthetics, adding, "We know where we come from, and that is precisely the place we do not want to return to."
This decree, which requires technical validation from Barcelona's Technical Commission for Terraces, forms part of the third phase of the ongoing renovation works. These works began in January and have already necessitated the removal of terraces from the central section. Collboni confirmed that the project, initially planned for seven years but reduced to three, is "progressing well and on schedule."
Industry Support for Aesthetic Upgrade
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the agreement. Àlex Balletbó, President of Amics de la Rambla, praised the consensus achieved with social agents. Roger Pallerols, Director of the Gremi de Restauradors, agreed that the uniform image of La Rambla would carry "symbolism and content."
Pallerols acknowledged the complexity of negotiations. "We had complex conversations, but we have resolved all disagreements," he explained. "This agreement represents a balance between the demands of restaurateurs and the city government's vision." He concluded, "Now, terraces and excellence become the same."
The broader urban transformation of La Rambla aims to reclaim the space for residents and enhance the experience for all visitors. This includes widening pedestrian areas, improving lighting, and fostering a more cohesive commercial and cultural environment. The terrace standardisation plays a crucial role in this wider revitalisation effort.
Barcelona anticipates the full implementation of these new terrace standards by February, coinciding with the completion of the current renovation phase. This initiative marks a significant step in the city's efforts to redefine and elevate the aesthetic quality of its most emblematic public spaces, ensuring a more harmonious and enjoyable experience for everyone.
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Originally published by Ara Cat. Read original article.
