Public Company Greenlit for Besòs-Maresme Revamp
On Thursday 5th November 2026, the Barcelona City Council approved the creation of a joint public company with the Generalitat de Catalunya to rehabilitate 4,000 homes across 200 buildings in the Besòs-Maresme district. The initiative, named Impulsem Futur Besòs-Maresme, SA, is set to receive €415 million in funding over ten years, with €265 million from the city and €150 million from the regional government. The decision, passed during a plenary session, marks a major step in the urban regeneration of a neighbourhood where many residences were built over half a century ago. Officials say the area is home to around 25,000 residents, and the project aims to improve structural safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility.
Accelerating a Lagging Rehabilitation Effort
Laia Bonet, first deputy mayor and head of urbanism, stated that the new company represents a "leap in scale" for housing rehabilitation. She noted that only 192 flats had been renovated in the past four years, a pace that would require more than four decades to complete the full plan. "Hoy damos un salto de escala", Bonet said during the session, underscoring the need for an extraordinary administrative response to the area’s housing challenges. The first phase of investment will mobilise approximately €95 million by 2029. The company will operate as the primary vehicle for implementing urban upgrades, with both administrations aiming to ensure economic viability and resident safety.
"The goal is to guarantee the security of the 25,000 neighbours currently living in this neighbourhood,"
Political Support and Concerns
The agreement passed with support from PSC, Junts, Barcelona en Comú, and ERC. The PP and Vox abstained, raising concerns over planning and timelines. Junts councillor Damià Calvet criticised past management of resident relations, calling for greater "soft skills" in community engagement. Barcelona en Comú’s Carolina Recio stressed that the project must prioritise resident retention and avoid demolitions, warning against any approach that displaces long-term inhabitants. ERC’s Eva Baró welcomed the approval and urged rapid implementation to meet urgent community needs. PP’s Víctor Martí argued the plan arrives too late and lacks clarity on urgent interventions and prioritisation criteria. Vox’s Liberto Senderos questioned the commitment of public funds without a detailed roadmap for deployment.
Next Steps for Urban Renewal
With the collaboration agreement now approved, the city and regional government will move to formally constitute the company. The project rules out demolition as an initial option, focusing instead on comprehensive rehabilitation of all 4,000 homes. A prior study identified 1,800 flats with very severe deficiencies, 650 with severe issues, and 1,550 with minor defects requiring basic upgrades. While a hypothetical alternative involving partial demolition was considered, the current strategy commits to preserving all existing housing stock. Residents and stakeholders can follow updates via the Generalitat’s official press room and the Barcelona City Council’s urban planning channels.
Sources: El Periódico, Metrópoli.
