Barcelona

__Barcelona. __

~ Why is Barcelona considered one of the most successful cities in urban planning innovation? Barcelona is considered one of the most successful cities in urban planning innovation because this city has been changing over time in economical, social and environmental topics, but mainly changing its urban design. So, the urban planners focused their attention in the example district and decided to extend the city, for that reason they had to broke the 520 street blocks planned in 1859. On the other hand, Barcelona used all its resources for the 1992 Olympics and developed security for every area of the district and also, created for this event amazing structures using highest technology.



~ How's the city of Barcelona administrative divided? How many districts does it have? What are their names? Barcelona is divided into ten districtis, each one with its counsilman. These districts are: 1.- Ciutat Vella 2.- Eixample 3.- Sant-Montjuïc 4.- Les Corts 5.- Sarrià-Sant Gervasi 6.- Gràcia 7.- Horta-Guinardó 8.- Nou Barris 9.- Sant Andreu 10.- Sant Martí



~ One of the districts' name is Eixample, what's the meaning of this Catalan word? This catalan word means extension.



~ Who designed this district? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Eixample District was designed by a progressive Catalan urban planner, Ildelfons Cerdá.



<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">~ How is this district divided into? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Eixample District is divided into six main neighborhoods <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- Dreta de L'Eixample <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- L'Antiga Esquerra de L'Eixample <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- La Nova Esquerra de L' Eixample <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- Sant Antoni <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- Sagrada Família <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- FortPienc.



<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">~ What are the main characteristics of the expansion? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">In 1859 Ildefons Cerdá, an urban planner, created a plan that included the expansion of the city, the creation of a few green and free spaces and the creation of places where the services were equal for all citizens, regardless of their conditions. Also, an urban design characterized for having transverse and perpendicular streets with sidewalks that have a chamfer shape so that it would not interfere with the view, and a very detailed description of how the houses must be built, taking into account the health of the people.



<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">~ What advantages did it bring to the city? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">After the expansion, Barcelona had been the scene of different world events, such as the Universal Exposition in 1888, the International Exposition in 1929, the Summer Olympics in 1992 and the Universal Forum of Cultures in 2004. All of these events were imposed on Barcelona, specially the Summer Olympics, because the urban planners, architects and engineers worked together to fix up the city and give it elements that would make it stand out and become a sustainable city

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">~ What are the most important landmarks and different neighborhoods <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Barcelona, nowadays, is a Spanish icon, here we can find a lot of landmarks like the Magic Fountain built in 1888, the Triumphal arch of Barcelona constructed as the entrance for the 1888 Universal Exhibition, the Expiatory Church of the Holy Family which is a Roman Catholic Church, among others… <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">In conclusion, the Eixample district is an example for all cities, because Barcelona, where this district is located, is considered one of the most important references of urban planning, because this city shows how a good urban plan can improve any place where the population needs to grow, as well as an example of how to avoid the chaos and collapse of cities.