Beyond Cerdá: Public housing in the Barcelona periphery

Martin Wynn

doi:10.24294/jipd.v8i8.5658

Home - JIPD - Volume 8 - Issue 8

Submit to JIPD

Journal Browser

Volume | Year

Issue

• Current lssue

View All

News and Announcements

View All

Beyond Cerdá: Public housing in the Barcelona periphery

Martin Wynn

Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development 2024, 8(8), 5658; https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i8.5658

Submitted：03 Apr 2024

Accepted：08 May 2024

Published：28 Aug 2024

Download PDF(5.71M)

Cite

XML

Abstract

Mass migration into the city of Barcelona in the 1950s created an estimated deficit of 100,000 dwellings by the close of the decade, and by the early 1960s an estimated 100,000 people were living in shanty towns in and around the city. In an effort to address this crisis, central State and local housing authorities constructed a series of housing estates in the urban periphery, beyond the central ensanche (expansion), the centrepiece of Ildefonso Cerdá’s 1860 master plan for the city. Using secondary sources, original photographs taken at the end of the Franco era, and more recent Google Earth images, this article discusses the role of the main housing authorities at the time, and examines the planning process that allowed the construction of these housing estates and their subsequent demolition or remodelling in the post-Franco era. The article finds that the public authorities allowed planning regulations to be contravened, or used loopholes and special measures within the planning laws, to construct housing units of minimal dimensions and generally poor quality in areas often zoned for other uses. More recently, “special plans” have been used effectively to improve or replace the majority of these estates. The article concludes that political will was the dominant factor in determining housing construction in the Franco era with the planning process being largely an irrelevance, and that residents’ associations have led the struggle for improvements in these estates in the post-Franco era, with the revised planning laws providing an effective framework for change.

Keywords

References

Ajuntament de Barcelona (2023). MUHBA Bon Pastor. Available online: https://www.barcelona.cat/museuhistoria/en/heritages/els-espais-del-muhba/muhba-bon-pastor (accessed on 26 March 2024).

Ajuntament de Barcelona (n.d.). History of Verdun (Spanish). Available online: https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/noubarris/es/el-distrito-y-sus-barrios/verdun/historia-de-verdun (accessed on 25 February 2024).

Ajuntament de Barcelona. Area for Urban Planning, Ecological Transition, Urban Services and Housing (n.d.). Housing: Public Housing Stock. Available online: https://www.habitatge.barcelona/en/access-to-housing/public-housing-stock (accessed on 2 January 2024).

Ajuntament de Barcelona/Institut Municipal d’Urbanisme (n.d.). Remodelling of Trinitat Nova (Spanish). Available online: https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/instituturbanisme/es/remodelaci%C3%B3n-de-trinitat-nova (accessed on 1 April 2024).

Alberdi, B. (2014). Social Housing in Spain. Social Housing in Europe, 223–237. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118412367.ch13

Alibes, J., Campo, M., Giralt, E., et al. (1973). The Barcelona of Porcioles (Spanish). Construccion, Arquitectura, Urbanismo (C.A.U.), 21, 29–107.

Anonymous. (1974). The OSH polygons: characteristics of the OSH groups and polygons in Barcelona (Spanish). Available online: https://raco.cat/index.php/CuadernosArquitecturaUrbanismo/article/view/111828 (accessed on 23 December 2023).

Barcelona Field Studies Centre. (2024). La Mina, Barcelona. Available online: https://geographyfieldwork.com/La%20Mina.htm (accessed on 09 March 2023).

Barna Diario. (2021). Information campaign on urban regeneration in the Besòs and Maresme area (Spanish). Available online: https://barnadiario.com/campana-informativa-sobre-la-regeneracion-urbana-de-el-Besós -i-el-maresme/4836/ (accessed on 31 March 2024).

Bell, E., Bryman, A., & Harley, B. (2018). Business Research Methods. Oxford University Press.

Berriatua, J. M. (1977). Neighborhood Associations (Spanish). Instituto de Estudios de Administración Local (lEAL).

Blanch, J. (2018). The awakening of Badia del Vallès to stop being a dormitory town (Spanish). Available online: https://www.lavanguardia.com/local/sabadell/20180605/443927567477/despertar-badia-valles-reto-transformacion.html (accessed on 28 March 2024).

Blanco, I. (2009). Does a ‘Barcelona Model’ Really Exist? Periods, Territories and Actors in the Process of Urban Transformation. Local Government Studies, 35(3), 355–369. https://doi.org/10.1080/03003930902854289

Borja, J. (1973). Urban Planning and Growth of Barcelona 1939–58 (Spanish). Construccion, Arquitectura y Urbanismo. 22, 86–92.

Borja, J., Sola-Morales, M., Llexia, E., et al. (1971). El Habitat in Barcelona (Spanish). Construccion, Arquitectura y Urbanismo, 10, 47–70.

Busquets Grau, J. (1976). La Urbanization Marginal en Barcelona (Vols I-III). Escuela Tecnica de Arquitectura Superior, Barcelona, Spain.

Cambril Soriano, B. (2010). Housing at the Eucharistic Congress (Spanish) [Master’s thesis]. ETSA Barcelona, Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña.

Cañizares, M. J. (2019). La Mina Returns to the Worst Epoch of the 80s; Global Chronicle: Barcelona, Spain (Spanish). Available online: https://cronicaglobal.elespanol.com/politica/la-mina-vuelve-peor-epoca-80_214965_102.html (accessed on 19 December 2023).

Castells, M. (1978). Urban social movements and the struggle for democracy: the Citizens’ Movement in Madrid*. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 2(1–3), 133–146. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2427.1978.tb00739.x

Corporación Metropolitana de Barcelona. (1976). Plan General Metropolitano de Ordenacion Urbana-Normas Urbanisticas. Barcelona Metropolitan Corporation (Spanish). Available online: https://www.amb.cat/s/es/web/territori/gestio-i-organitzacio/numamb/index-normes-urbanistiques.html (accessed on 12 January 2024).

Cotorruelo, A. (1960). The Economic Policy of Housing in Spain (Spanish). Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid.

de Teran, F. (1978). Urban Planning in Contemporary Spain: History of an Impossible Process (Spanish). Gustavi Gili, Madrid.

Degen, M., & Garcia, M. (2012). The Transformation of the ‘Barcelona Model’: An Analysis of Culture, Urban Regeneration and Governance. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 36(5), 1022–1038. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2427.2012.01152.x

de-Miguel-Molina, B., de-Miguel-Molina, M., & Albors-Garrigós, J. (2015). How undertake a literature review through Bibliometrics. An example with review about “user innovation.” In: Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Business Management—“New Challenges In Business Research”—Conference Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.4995/icbm.2015.1327

Domingo, M. (1973). Considerations on the Cerdá Plan. El fet urba a Barcelona-1 (Spanish). Construccion, Arquitectura y Urbanismo, 19.

Europan Europe. (n.d.). Historical Dossier The Besòs and the Maresme Barcelona (Spanish). Available online: https://www.europan europe.eu/media/default/0001/26/3478db9b80efd8ffbc221ff70416e8c88c7ff7bb.pdf (accessed on 9 March 2024).

Ferrer, A. (1974). Presentation and Statistics of the Partial Plans of the Province of Barcelona (Spanish). Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Cataluna y Baleares (COACB), Barcelona.

Ferrer, A. (2011). Shantytowns and housing estates in twentieth-century Barcelona (Spanish). In: Barracas-La Barcelona informal del siglo. Museo d’historia de Barcelona (MUHBA). pp. 61–82.

FinquesFeliu. (2021). Aluminosis: What is it? and How to solve it? Available online: https://www.finquesfeliu.es/en/node/12650 (accessed on 1 March 2024).

Fortuny, J. (1974). Trade Union Home and City Work (Spanish). Cuadernos de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, 105, 49–52.

Galera, M., Roca, F., & Tarrago, S. (1972). Atlas of Barcelona (16th-20th Centuries) (Spanish). Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Cataluna y Baleares, Barcelona, Spain.

Garrut, J. M. (1963). Ildefons Cerdá, his ensanche et la satira de ambos (Spanish). San Jorge, 51, 6–19.

Gilmartin, E. (2023). Barcelona Is Fighting for the Right to Housing. Tribune, May 27. Available online: https://tribunemag.co.uk/2023/05/barcelona-is-fighting-for-the-right-to-housing (accessed on 27 March 2024).

Guerra Mirón, M. (2015). A reflective look at the urban development of the Southwest Besòs industrial estate (Spanish). Available online: https://papiro.unizar.es/ojs/index.php/zarch/article/view/9108 (accessed on 09 March 2024).

Herrero, A. (1972). The Development of Our Cities after the Land Law: Huelva (Spanish). Ciudad y Territorio, 4(72), 15–34.

Jubert, J. (1974). Trade Union Home Work and Housing Policy (Spanish). Cuadernos de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, 105, 43–48.

Larsen, H. G. (2020). Barcelona. Contemporary Co-Housing in Europe, 74–94. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429450174-5

Llorens, J. I., Diaz, C., Anguita, F., et al. (1974). The Home and Housing Trade Union—Three OSH Achievements: Trinidad, La Paz and Can Badia (Spanish). Cuadernos de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, 105, 57–74.

Lopez, M. (2019). Badalona, on alert for a new case of aluminosis. La Vanguardia, 3 August (Spanish). Available online: https://www.lavanguardia.com/local/barcelones-nord/20190803/463585124190/nuevo-caso-aluminosis-badalona-barrio-pomar-bigas.html (accessed on 2 April 2024).

Marti, F., & Moreno, E. (1974). Barcelona—where are you going (Spanish)? Dirosa.

Mason, J. (2017). Qualitative Researching. SAGE Publications.

Monclús, J., & Díez Medina, C. (2016). Modernist housing estates in European cities of the Western and Eastern Blocs. Planning Perspectives, 31(4), 533–562. https://doi.org/10.1080/02665433.2015.1102642

Monclus, J., Diez Medina, C., & Garcia-Perez, S. (2017). Housing estates as an urban legacy: Urban forms and open spaces in between (Spanish). In: Jornadas Periferias Urbanas. pp. 14–31.

Montero, J. (1972). Partial planning in the Barcelona Region (Spanish). Cuadernos de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, 87, 12–14.

MUHBA. (2022). Housing Newspaper: Barcelona 20th cent. MUHBA Llibrets de sala 38. Exhibition—Inhabiting Barcelona. Challenges, struggles and policies in the 20th century. Available online: https://www.barcelona.cat/museuhistoria/en/formats-and-activities/llibrets-de-sala/housing-newspaper-20th-century-barcelona (accessed on 23 March 2024).

Obra Sindical de Hogar. (1964). San Cosme Partial Plan (Spanish). Provincial Office of the OSH, Barcelona.

Ochoa, R. (2023). Las Casas Baratas de Eduardo Aunós: A great story. LaMarina, 15 February (Spanish). Available online: lamari-na.cat/diari/49476/las-casas-baratas-de-eduardo-aunos-una-gran-historia/ (accessed on 15 December 2023).

Padilla, M. (2001). Reviving Neighbourhoods: An exhibition shows the process of reconstruction of degraded urban areas in Catalonia. El Pais, 6 September (Spanish). Available online: https://elpais.com/diario/2001/09/06/catalunya/999738452_850215.html?event=regonetap&event_log=regonetap&prod=REGONETAP&o=regonetap (accessed on 31 March 2024).

Pareja-Eastaway, M., & Varo, I. S. M. (2002). The Tenure Imbalance in Spain: The Need for Social Housing Policy. Urban Studies, 39(2), 283–295. https://doi.org/10.1080/00420980120102975

Paricio, I. (1973). Reasons for the shape of mass housing (Spanish). Cuadernos de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, 96, 2–18.

Porter, A. L., Kongthon, A., & Lu, J. C. (2002). Research Profiling: Improving the Literature Review. Scientometrics, 53, 351–370. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014873029258

Presidencia del Gobierno. (1956). Law on Land Regime and Urban Planning (Spanish). Available online: https://www.boe.es/gazeta/dias/1956/05/14/pdfs/BOE-1956-135.pdf (accessed 20 March 2024).

Presidencia del Gobierno. (1976). Law on Land Regime and Urban Planning (Spanish). Available online: https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-1976-11506 (accessed on 05 March 2024).

Ribas i Piera, M. (1973). Planning and Growth of Barcelona 1939–58 (Spanish). Arquitectura y Urbanismo, 22, 78–85.

Ribas i Piera, M. (1976). In view of Murcia’s new development plan (Spanish). Ciudad y Territorio, 1(76), 29–62.

Roberts, D. (2019). Barcelona’s remarkable history of rebirth and transformation. Available online: https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2019/4/8/18266760/barcelona-spain-urban-planning-history (accessed on 23 November 2020).

Roca Cladera, J. (1979). The Recovery of Barcelona's Peripheries (Spanish). Construccion Arquitectura y Urbanismo, 57, 61–69.

Sabater Cheliz, S. (1977). Urbanisation process in Barcelona and its backdrop (Spanish). Ciudad y Territorio, 3(77), 59–67.

Sainz Gutiérrez, V. (2011). Rethinking Housing, Reinventing The City (Spanish). La Transformación Del Barrio Barcelonés De La Mina. Proyecto, Progreso, Arquitectura, 5, 108–129. https://doi.org/10.12795/ppa.2011.i5.07

Sala Schnorkowski, M. (1977). The Real Estate Sector in Catalonia (Spanish). Ciudad y Territorio, 3(77), 59–67.

Sola-Morales, M., Busquets, J., Domingo, M., et al. (1974). Capitalist Remodelling or Urban Development in the East Bank sector (Spanish)? Gustavo Gili, Barcelona.

Teixidor, C., Tarrago, M., & Brau, L. (1972). Documentos 1953–71. Cuadernos de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, 87.

Urban, F. (2023). The end of the planned city? Urban Planning after 1989. In: Welch Guerra, M., Abarkan, A., Castrillo Romón, M. A., et al. (editors). European planning history in the 20th century: A Continent of Urban Planning. Routledge.

Wynn, M. (1979). Barcelona—planning and change 1860–1977. Town Planning Review, 50(2), 185–203.

Wynn, M. (1980). San Cosme, Spain: Planning and Renewal of a State Housing Area. Journal of the American Planning Association, 46(1), 76–87.

Wynn, M. (1981a). The Planning and Implementation of Development in the Barcelona Periphery (A Case Study Approach) [PhD thesis]. Nottingham Trent University.

Wynn, M. (1981b). Planning in Spain: Informal Linkage in a Changing Framework. Linkage, 6, 25–29.

Wynn, M. (1984). Spain. In: Wynn, M. (editor). Housing in Europe. Routledge.

Wynn, M. (2024). The Lost Shantytowns of Barcelona. Encyclopedia, 4(1), 444–477. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4010030

Previous
article in this issue

Next
article in this issue