Urban Plan Advances for 70-Hectare Health Campus
The Catalonia Territorial Commission has approved the objectives and purpose document for the Urban Master Plan (PDU) of the future Campus Clínic, a cross-municipal development spanning Barcelona, l'Hospitalet and Esplugues. The Generalitat plans to formally approve the PDU during the first half of 2027. The plan covers 70 hectares, 36% in Barcelona, 34% in l'Hospitalet and 30% in Esplugues, and will designate 63% of the land for health, teaching and research, 23% for biomedical-sector economic activity, 10% for housing and 4% for community facilities.
800 New Homes and Metro Expansion Planned
Under the plan, 800 new apartments will be built in l'Hospitalet, contributing to a total of 1,125 new homes across the three municipalities. The project also includes relocating the University of Barcelona's Faculty of Pharmacy to Esplugues. Metro Line 3 is set to extend into Esplugues within two years, with a 2.5-kilometre stretch adding two new stations: Campus de Salut Clínic-UB/Sant Joan de Déu and Esplugues Centre. The metro extension has a budget of €500 million. Additional urban improvements include the extension of Rambla de Finestrelles, a new park along Collblanc road and the expansion of Can Rigalt green corridor, connecting Collserola to the city. In total, 22 hectares of green space will be developed.
Public Consultation to Run from October to December
The PDU will go on public exhibition starting in October 2026, followed by a citizen participation programme that includes three deliberative sessions, in l'Hospitalet, Esplugues and Barcelona, and an online information session. The aim is to incorporate feedback from residents and stakeholders ahead of final approval. Sílvia Paneque, Minister of Territory, said the plan will create "a new pole of medicine, research, and training called to become a leader in southern Europe" and stressed the importance of urban integration and sustainable mobility.
We want living cities, where their residents can carry out their daily activities.
David Quirós, mayor of l'Hospitalet, welcomed the plan as an opportunity to reorganise the city's northern neighbourhoods, a priority since the start of his mandate.
Opposition Voices Concerns Over Housing and Services
Criticism has emerged from opposition parties in l'Hospitalet. ERC spokesperson Jaume Graells accused Quirós of "selling smoke" by presenting long-term plans as immediate guarantees, particularly regarding healthcare access. The PP's Sonia Esplugas questioned why l'Hospitalet will host most of the new housing, 800 units in one of Europe's most densely populated areas, and called for transparency on the decision not to build a new General Hospital. From Comuns, councillor Laura Alzamora highlighted that only 4% of the land is allocated for community facilities and asked when new schools and a dedicated General Hospital section would be delivered.
Primary sources: Generalitat de Catalunya. Reported by Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Línia Xarxa.
