The district of El Raval has two different faces. North El
Raval is a zone with numerous cultural buildings, whereas south El Raval being
formerly the infamous Barrio Chino
(Chinese District), is mainly residential and a rather poor district. It still
contains some old factories, a reminder of its industrial function during the
Industrial Revolution.
These differences in character of the two parts of the Raval
were incorporated in the city's urban renewal plans. All the new cultural
investments were located in the northern part of the district: The Museum of
Contemporary Art, (MACBA), the Contemporary Culture Centre (CCCB), several new
buildings for a private university and the Ciutat Vella history archives, among
others. In the last few years, this northern zone became increasingly
gentrified, while the southern district remained, until recently, degraded and
dangerous.
In 1995, the plan for the 'Boulevard of the Raval' (or Raval
Rambla) was presented, with the aim of socially cleansing southern El Raval.
Five complete street blocks were affected and the scheme involved the demolition
of 1,384 houses and 293 commercial premises. The tree-lined pedestrianised zone
thus created measures 58 metres in width and 317 metres in length. The central
zone, without urban furniture some, is planned for street markets and other
social events. The new boulevard improves the flow of traffic in the area,
reducing congestion in the surrounding narrow medieval streets. New housing
blocks have been constructed at both ends of the Rambla, and existing buildings
are being renovated for use as student accommodation. Environmental improvements
include a pneumatic refuse collection system.
The development cost more than 5 million euros and was 80%
subsidized by the EU Social Cohesion Fund.
The Raval Rambla: Before and After
A further project focuses on the Robador, Cadena, Oriol, Sant
Josep and Sant Rafael streets adjoining the Raval Rambla. This involves the
construction of a four star hotel of ten storeys, combined with houses and
offices. The ground floor includes a cinema and an adjoining snail-shaped
building will contain apartments. The project includes private gardens. Hotel
clients will be able to gain safe access to the Raval Rambla via an overhead
walkway without making contact with local residents. There is currently
considerable property speculation in the zone, with an increase in prices and
the consequent displacement of less well off neighbours.
The New El Raval Hotel
A new 4 star hotel, houses and parking area are planned for one
of El Raval's poorest quarters - the area delimited by the streets of San Rafael, Rambla del Raval,
Sant Josep Oriol and Robador. The plan proposes 11,300 m˛ of new housing, 9,400
m˛ of offices, 9,300 m˛ of hotel and commercial space plus 556 parking places.
Between 100 and 140 new houses will be constructed, 25% of which will be for
protected tenancies for existing local residents.
One of the main stumbling blocks for the project is the height
of the ten-storey hotel building - some 37 metres. The objective of the
government of Barcelona is to turn the building into one of the most
representative (or characteristic) architectural pieces of the district of the
Raval like the church of Sant Agustí or the Opera House.
San Rafael, Rambla del Raval,
Sant Josep Oriol and Robador. The plan proposes 11,300 m˛ of new housing, 9,400
m˛ of offices, 9,300 m˛ of hotel and commercial space plus 556 parking places.
Between 100 and 140 new houses will be constructed, 25% of which will be for
protected tenancies for existing local residents.
