Barcelona has a historic debt to its most emblematic park, and it seems that the time has finally come to settle it. The City Council has given the green light to the executive project to create the new Ciutadella promenade, an infrastructure that is not just a landscaping or urban planning project, but a key element in bringing together two neighborhoods that have been separated by walls and fences for too long: Ciutat Vella and Vila Olímpica. The idea is to transform mobility in the area and turn the park from an enclosed space into a fluid, natural, and, above all, logical passageway.
This new axis will connect Wellington Street with Picasso Promenade and Til·lers Promenade, creating a direct route linking Ciutadella with Carles I Park. It is not just a matter of planting new flowers; the intention is to facilitate access to the future facilities of Ciutadella del Coneixement and, of course, the Zoo.
In addition, the project has a collateral benefit for all of us who use public transport, as it will allow the Ciutadella – Vila Olímpica metro station (L4) and the tram to be directly integrated as the main gateways to the site, saving us the endless detours we currently have to take.
A return to the origins of Fontserè
The most curious thing about this renovation is that it is not a modern invention by an architect eager to innovate, but rather a nostalgic look back at the past. The project recovers the original spirit that Josep Fontserè designed for the park. This cross-connect existed in the plans and in reality until the 1950s, when, during the Porcioles mayor’s term, it was decided to eliminate the access to use it exclusively for the Zoo. Now, the city is correcting that urban planning shift to return to the idea of an open and accessible park, as it was conceived more than a century ago.
The future promenade will have a minimum width of 20 meters and will be dominated by sand and permeable materials, respecting as much as possible the tall trees that already give the area its character. It is a commitment to maintaining the green essence while gaining space to walk without encountering unnecessary obstacles. According to the city council’s forecasts, 80% of this major transformation will be ready by mid-2027, coinciding with the end of the current term of office, with the aim of making the entire Ciutadella del Coneixement a reality within a decade.
The Ciutadella del Coneixement as a driving force
This intervention is part of a much more ambitious plan that seeks to turn the park into a scientific and cultural hub of European standing. Apart from the new promenade, the area is undergoing a comprehensive revitalization that includes the restoration of buildings. Recently, progress has also been made in the restoration of the Hivernacle, and work is underway on the rehabilitation of the Umbracle, two jewels of Barcelona’s heritage that had suffered the ravages of time and will now shine again.
The ultimate goal is for Ciutadella Park to be not just a place to go for a picnic or a boat ride, but a space where science, research, and neighborhood life intertwine without barriers. With the new promenade, Barcelona not only gains a more pleasant place to walk, but also recovers a part of its historical memory to put it at the service of the city of the future.