Eixample Converts Four Streets Into Green Hubs, Creates New Squares

Barcelona City Council has started work on the Superilles model inside the Eixample by turning sections of Consell de Cent, Rocafort, Comte Borrell and Girona into green hubs and by building four new squares at their crossings.

The Eixample grid, laid out by Ildefons Cerdà, carries the heaviest motor traffic in the city and records the lowest share of green space. The current programme reorganises through-traffic so that local streets can serve walking, resting and planting instead.

Daily effects for district households

People living in the affected blocks will reach a calmed street or square on foot within roughly 200 metres. The four initial hubs will carry traffic-calming measures already tested during the pandemic, while the squares will occupy former roadway at the chamfers and will include seating, play equipment and permeable surfaces.

Across the full scheme the Eixample is due to receive 21 green streets covering 33 kilometres and 21 new squares that together add 3.9 hectares of public space. The district will also gain 33.4 hectares of pedestrian surface and 6.6 hectares of new planting, according to the city council’s published Superilles Eixample document.

Sequence of works this term

Two public competitions have already chosen design teams for the four streets and the four squares. Tactical interventions remain in place on some stretches, and the first permanent projects are scheduled to begin during the present council term. The programme follows the earlier Sant Antoni Superblock, which delivered 23,709 square metres of new pedestrian space on Comte Borrell and adjoining streets.

Further mapping of the remaining 17 green streets will be released as design work progresses. Residents can follow updates through the council’s Superilles site at ajuntament.barcelona.cat/superilles/en/superilla/eixample.