The future of Vallcarca’s planned green boulevard remains contested, with local residents urging the city to rethink current plans that could lead to the demolition of around 70 homes and businesses, affecting more than 100 people. As betevé reported, the Som Barri neighbourhood association is calling for a pause on expropriations and a revised approach focused on rehabilitation.
The City Council says the project is not stalled and is advancing expropriations and drafting urbanisation plans for the section up to Carrer d’Agramunt. For the upper section, the municipal government has indicated willingness to modify planning to increase protected housing. However, Som Barri argues that the current plan risks displacing vulnerable residents and undermining social cohesion.
Their alternative proposal, launched in November 2026, includes preserving and rehabilitating existing buildings for affordable housing or community facilities, creating a green axis between Carrer de Ballester and the intersection of Bolívar with Avinguda de la República Argentina, and reducing road space for private vehicles.
- One traffic lane would be removed from Carrer de Bolívar and another from Avinguda de Vallcarca.
- The reclaimed space on Avinguda de Vallcarca would become a two-way cycle lane.
- New tree planting and improved connectivity between public spaces are also proposed.
"We also need public facilities such as nursery schools or senior centres, which could be located in existing buildings,"
architect and Som Barri member Marina Sanahuja told betevé.
Community Engagement Underway
An information session at Escola Montseny drew around 40 residents. Albert Torrent, a member of the school’s parent association, said families have already been forced to leave due to rising housing costs. Som Barri is urging the council to restart promised participatory processes to reach consensus on the area’s future.
Sources: betevé.
