Eixample Infrastructure Update Focuses on Green Expansion and Traffic Reduction

The Eixample district is currently undergoing a significant infrastructure transition designed to reshape the urban environment for its residents. According to official municipal documentation, this 10-year update program aims to establish 21 green axes covering 33 kilometers of space. The initiative will also see the creation of 21 new squares, ultimately adding 33.4 hectares of pedestrian-focused areas and 6.6 hectares of urban green space to the neighborhood [1].

The project, which carries a cost of approximately €38 million, is fundamentally aimed at altering the district's mobility patterns. The policy objective is to designate every third street in Eixample as a car-free green axis. This structural change is designed to address daily vehicle traffic, which has historically exceeded 300,000 to 350,000 cars in the area [2].

Community Impact and Planning

For residents, the policy is intended to ensure that no person is more than 200 meters away from a green space by the time the project reaches full implementation in 2030 [4]. The phased rollout began in June 2022 with initial construction concentrated on four specific axes: Consell de Cent, Rocafort, Girona, and Comte Borrell. These primary works also included the development of four intersecting squares [3].

To manage the social and commercial impact of these new pedestrian environments, the local government has introduced a special use plan. This regulatory framework restricts the issuance of new licenses for bars, restaurants, and food stores within the affected areas. According to reports, this measure is intended to prevent the over-concentration of commercial activity and mitigate potential pressures related to gentrification along the newly created green axes [5, 7].

The integration of these green corridors represents a significant shift in how public space is prioritized in Eixample. While the long-term project is scheduled for completion by 2030, the local planning authorities continue to monitor the progress of the initial phases to evaluate their effects on resident mobility and the distribution of neighborhood services [1, 4].