Project Moves Forward After Plenary Approval
The Barcelona City Council plenary has definitively approved the Special Integral and Urban Improvement Plan (PEMU) for the Casetes d’Encarnació site at Carrer de l’Encarnació, 13–15 in Vila de Gràcia. The vote took place on Thursday 5th November 2026, with support from Junts, PSC, BComú, ERC, and PP, while VOX abstained. This approval allows the project to advance to the next phase: drafting the full architectural plans, followed by formal approval and public tendering by IMHAB, the city’s municipal housing agency.
Housing, Community Space and Historic Preservation
The development will deliver 13 publicly owned two-bedroom apartments, increasing Vila de Gràcia’s public housing stock by 26%. These units will be built above a ground-floor senior citizens’ centre, known locally as a casal, which will serve older residents. The exterior facade of the historic casetes, small traditional houses, will be preserved, though the interiors will be demolished to make way for the new construction. A central feature of the plan is a new public square open to residents. At its heart will be the retention of a 200-year-old holm oak tree, designated as being of local interest and regarded as a symbol of the neighbourhood.
The approved planning improves conservation conditions for the bicentennial oak, ensuring all construction and future use remains compatible with its biological development.
The city has committed to ongoing monitoring and care of the tree with guidance from arboriculture experts.
Community Involvement and Next Steps
Due to strong local interest, a monitoring commission including neighbourhood representatives has been established. It will meet regularly throughout the project’s development to ensure transparency and community input. Residents can follow progress through the official project page on the Barcelona City Council website.
Sources: Ajuntament de Barcelona, diaricatalunya.cat.
