The document takes a comprehensive approach to the district’s main challenges: access to housing, ageing of residential buildings, tourist pressure, coexistence, security, quality of public space and social and economic inequalities. It also sets out the main opportunities of the renovation and transformation of La Rambla, and the rollout of the Neighbourhood Plan in all neighbourhoods in the district.

During the participatory process, fifteen working sessions and nearly 25 interviews were held with social, cultural and economic stakeholders. This dialogue has helped define a shared agenda that strengthens the economic and symbolic centrality of Ciutat Vella and aims to preserve its historical character without foregoing contemporary vitality.

The municipal government has announced that the agreement will have two monitoring bodies (an Advisory Council and a Monitoring Commissions) and that it will roll out the Ciutat Vella Lab, an observatory and knowledge laboratory to monitor the district’s social, economic and urban evolution. The goal is to guarantee the consistent, continuous and transparent application of the policies agreed on with the local area.

Four strategic areas

The first, People, centres on housing, education, community health and social policies. It includes measures such as the Renovation Plan 2035, the recovery of tourism lets to be used for local residents, the improvement of social and healthcare services, and the extension of education and cultural opportunities with the aim of strengthening the district’s well-being and social cohesion.

The second area, Public Space, entails a profound revision of the urban model to improve coexistence and quality of life. It includes actions that strengthen the network of public spaces, enlarge green spaces, adapt the territory to climate change and roll out a specific management of spaces with large volumes of visitors to ensure the balance between local life and tourism.

The third area, Economy, opts for a diverse, sustainable and well-rooted local economy. It should develop a Commerce Agreement, the regulation of activities through the new Usage Plan and initiatives to promote quality jobs, as well as the promotion of professions linked to the blue economy and the social and solidarity economy.

Finally, the fourth area, Link, aims to strengthen social cohesion and the sense of belonging. It does so through the “Ciutat Vella: family territory” plan, the agreement discussion sessions as spaces for intercultural engagement, the promotion of community sport, projects on historical memory and ongoing support for associations and public participation.