Barcelona City Council has secured the free transfer of 62.8 hectares of coastline from the Spanish Ministry of Finance. The deal ends 20 years of talks and gives the city control of a 5.2-kilometre stretch from Barceloneta to Sant Adrià de Besòs.
The transfer includes the Olympic area, the Forum marine platform, and the nearby bathing zone. It builds on Barcelona’s investment in its seafront since the 1992 Olympic Games.
According to the council, future projects along this maritime front could involve more than €100 million in investment. The land includes about 354,000 square metres of parks and green areas, 206,500 square metres of roads, and 68,200 square metres for public facilities.
Mayor Jaume Collboni called it a “historic agreement” and said it should allow Barcelona to recover full control and ownership of more than 60 hectares. He said the next steps relate to climate adaptation, beach maintenance, and new green spaces.
Finance Minister Arcadi España said it was “a great agreement that is very good for the city of Barcelona”. He added that it lets “the closest administration” act directly in the area and said progress comes through cooperation between administrations.
The transfer changes the 2009 maritime-terrestrial zone demarcation and removes ownership uncertainty that had made maintenance and conservation harder. The council says the land must be used for public benefit only, with no profit-making activity. For more on local planning and public space, see our coverage of community and sport in Barcelona.
Not all state-owned sites on the coast are included. The agreement excludes spaces used for commercial activity, including a shopping centre, nightlife venues, and offices for the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET). It also leaves out properties previously auctioned by the state, such as a hotel, a petrol station, and a restaurant. The council and the ministry will keep talking about other state-owned properties between Plaça del Mar and the rest of the coastline.
Originally published by Barcelona City Council Press Room. Read original article.
