The prevailing spirit enshrining our proposal entailed transforming a street into a green, pedestrianised thoroughfare where citizens would feel comfortable: a flexible street with less noise, fewer cars, more vegetation and community spots. We wanted it to be possible to walk across the whole area as a single segment, and for people to be able to claim these new areas for themselves; to tame the city.
Our slogan Walking from the centre was a statement of intent. Not only did we literally wish to walk along the middle of the road, a privilege reserved for vehicles in this day and age, it was also a way of conveying the notion that people would take centre stage in these Green Hubs.
The primary idea was to keep as many concepts that were presented in the tender bid as possible, such as walking along the middle of the street and maximising green space, among others, but by considering a new project that would meet the demands of Barcelona City Council while adhering to regulations.
Broadly speaking, we feel very pleased with the outcome and the change of paradigm brought about by an intervention on this scale in Barcelona city. We have observed that people are happy with the result, even those who were initially reluctant about its implementation. However, we find it very difficult to point to a specific aspect. We could state how pleased we are with the new lighting, in terms of scale, design and colour, and with regard to the new concept it portrays: lighting conceived for citizens, lowering the elevation and repositioning the light elements. We are also delighted with the huge variety of tree and shrub species along the Consell de Cent hub. The fact that flowers bloom in every season means that it will be a beautiful experience to walk at any time of year. This is without mentioning the urban furniture, a key component for transforming these Green Hubs into social and pleasure spots. It is wonderful to stroll and observe an endless array of activities unfolding at the tables, and on the benches and seats located in each section: workers eating their midday sandwich, groups of tourists sitting down, senior citizens sunbathing or keeping in the shade, board games being played after school, and so on.
What is more, we feel that the prevailing colour is still the grey observed on the cobblestones and granite, at least for the time being, because the plants are still small. We would have liked to explore other materials and colours, and even to have considered rewilding certain areas to make them more permeable. However, we came up against inflexibility in the regulations governing accessibility, meaning that a surface such as the one we proposed in the bid, formed by cobblestones with green joints, was impossible. It is our hope that this will change and that we will be able to overcome restrictions that are at odds with a greener, more permeable and, in short, more sustainable city.
We made use of the 45-degree angle, a highly prominent feature in the chamfered corners of the Eixample, in order to provide a new perspective and new spatial arrangements. With the trapezoidal flower beds, we managed to provide areas for gathering – at both intersections and along streets – as we wanted the green hub to be for strolling and indeed for stopping and engaging in other activities. Specifically, at these quasi-plazas we incorporated the urban furniture: benches, chairs and tables. The way the new elements tie in with the shops and buildings changes according to each city block, from the abundant number of terraces in the streets in the heart of the city to the range of activities seen in the Eixample Esquerra, as well as the schools, churches, landscapes and unique buildings, such as the Seminari Conciliar. Careful consideration was given to where to locate the quasi-plazas and flower beds along each section of street, respecting no parking zones and relocating the terraces.
I think that citizens have reclaimed many miles of streets for them to use and enjoy, and not just any streets. Since they are primarily set aside for pedestrians you see people walking at all hours of the day, sitting on benches, playing at tables or simply going for a stroll. The presence of green can be sensed from existing trees, and from the new flower beds and trees recently planted. At extreme times, such as the recent heat wave, they provide an excellent climate refuge for residents and visitors alike. Citizens have also claimed streets that are home to a slower pace of life in stark contrast to the hectic pace broadly seen in the Eixample.
Nevertheless, it is true that more time and information are needed to ensure everyone can share the space peacefully because the heavy use made of certain sections makes it complicated for people to stroll along while numerous vans and trucks are loading and unloading. However, we would like to think that citizens will call for many more similar initiatives to be delivered because there is no turning back and we need cities that are able to adapt to climate change as a matter of urgency. The role citizens play is vital, as is the need for them to be involved.
