Barcelona 'superblocks" make more room for people

Many cities have in recent years taken steps to make their streets more pedestrian-friendly, at the same time reducing pollution and noise brought by cars and other vehicles. Paris has been a recent example, closing roadways on both sides of the Seine, turning some of them into riverside entertainment venues. Lately, the Champs-Elysees has been closed to car traffic one Sunday a month, in a test that may become more frequent.

Now it's Barcelona's turn. More than just a tourism destination, Barcelona is a vibrant, growing city of workers and strivers, surrounded by dozens of smaller communities where housing prices are lower. A lot of the people who  live there commute into the city for work, clogging streets with traffic, which can spoil the charm of the beautiful architecture and fouling the air breathed by sidewalk cafe diners. But that's about to change, as the city implements a bold plan to create "superblocks" that restrict through traffic to just a few streets, with others accessible only to local residents and delivery vehicles at much-reduced speeds. This article from The Guardian newspaper explains the plan more fully.

One of the key targeted areas is l'Eixample, literally the expansion, which was constructed in the late 19th century with wide streets designed to allow air movement and reduce the spread of disease. But those were pre-horseless carriage days, and since the streets have become clogged with cars, trucks and buses spewing both hydrocarbons and decibels.

A typical Eixample intersection, on a calm day. At rush hour it can be a madhouse.

The plan has several goals, which include enticing people to get back out and enjoy their neighborhoods and get more exercise, turning the streets into "second homes," as one advocate said.

Physically, the narrow streets of the Ciutat Vella (Old City) are set up for this, although the volume of tourists greatly diminishes the opportunity for neighbors to kick back and share stories. The Gracia district, until about a century ago a separate town, like many other zones, has lots of small squares and pedestrianized areas that draw people to sit and share at outdoor tables or on park benches.

Barcelona's leaders want to encourage residents to gather in public spaces not disturbed by cars, like this square in Gracia.

Tourists should welcome this move, as it should greatly reduce traffic noise, which can be an issue on nearly any street in l'Eixample. While the major ones, such as Carrer d'Arago and Carrer de Provenca, which run perpendicular to Passeig de Gracia, are expected to be busy, smaller ones that run between them, such as Carrer del Bruc, become shortcuts as drivers try to avoid backups. As this plan takes shape, we'll be able to advise clients on the situation for specific apartments.

Most of the places we offer have been renovated and modern, sound-deadening windows have been added, so they are relatively quiet. Still, even visitors will be able to appreciate the feeling of calm that comes with an absence of car traffic. And I'd expect to see even more local cafes and shops in the quiet zones, since diners and shoppers will be encouraged to stay in the relaxed atmosphere rather than to escape the noise and odors.

For a sense of what it's like when the streets are given over to people rather than cars, take a stroll along Carrer del Corders in El Born or Placa del Pi in the Barri Gotic. Even Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona's answer to the Champs-Elysees, has a quiet side, in its last block past the busy Diagonal. That's where you'll find this fully renovated apartment with a terrace facing a church across a small, one-way street that is little more than an alley.

The private terrace is spacious and faces a quiet street.

This very calm median, with just one lane of traffic on either side, is outside the front door.

If calm is important to you, we can direct you to rental apartments that face courtyards rather than streets, or that are in quieter areas (Barcelona is a large, busy city, so some noise is unavoidable). Or, if you enjoy the activity and nightlife, we have places convenient for that, too. Visit www.likelivingthere.com to see examples and then send your particular details by filling out a Trip Plan, or just drop us an email at info@likelivingthere.com. We'll get back to you promptly with suggestions.