management

13. LEVEL ADMINISTRATORS DOCUMENTATIONS
National Ministry of Public Works
Ministry of Town Planning
No National Plan
Regional Community Authority
(since 1978)
Autonomous Government
Director Territorial Plan or
Regional Plan
Provincial/ District Provincial Authority
Municipal Municipal Authority The General Urban Distribution
Plan
Neighborhood Association Consultation and Public Participation

14. BARCELONA, SPAIN
The heart of autonomous region, Catalonia, Spain, Municipality has a
population of 1.6 million; area less than 100 sq km (one of the most
densely populated European cities).
ILDEFONS CERDÀ.
Trained as a civil engineer, over
time he developed a range of
skills, from mapmaking to
surveying to public health
analysis. He was eventually
involved in virtually every area of
the city’s planning. The goal was
to combine the advantages of
rural living (green space, fresh air
and food, community) with the
advantages of urban living
(commerce, culture, free flow of
goods and ideas).
Barcelona’s Gothic architecture
work is done by this man. Gaudi’s
work is admired by architects
around the world as being one of
the most unique and distinctive
architectural style. His work has
greatly influenced the face of
Barcelona Architecture and you
will see Gaudi’s work all over the
city.
ANTONI GAUDI
2

15. BARCELONA, SPAIN
The municipality of Barcelona, in partnership with the Urban Ecology
Agency, developed the innovative “superblocks” project to address
local challenges such as air pollution, noise, traffic, road accidents,
health issues and a lack of green space.
The superblocks programme redefines public space, giving priority to
people, greenery and human interaction while minimising the space
allocated to roads and vehicles. Superblocks consist of a small grid of
blocks and roads (approximately 400 m x 400 m), with cars, vans,
scooters and other vehicles restricted to the outer perimeter roads
(unless the drivers are residents or delivering to local businesses, in
which case their maximum speed should be 10 km/h).
The city has expanded cycle lanes and initiated an orthogonal-grid bus
network, using main thoroughfares only. Superblocks are intended to
function as mini-neighbourhoods, creating opportunities for leisure,
sports and social interaction. The superblocks initiative is part of the
city’s Urban Mobility Plan, which aims to decrease traffic by 21 per
cent while extending car-free spaces and providing 300 km of bicycle
lanes.