Barcelona News
news items are archived after one month
| Golf Course Saturation on the Costa Brava Yet another new golf course is planned for the Costa Brava. The proposed new Royal Victory Golf course would occupy part of the Salenys, a Gavarres biological reserve at Santa Cristina d'Aro. According to the conservation group Associació de Naturalistes de Girona (ANG), the course would affect one million square metres of Mediterranean forest and meadows. Half of this surface would be dedicated to the golf course, 35,000 m² would be devoted to residences and hotel facilities, 10,000 m² to roads and the remaining land to green zones. The ANG has warned the City council that nearly half of the affected land is included in the area of Protection of Spaces of Natural Interest (PEIN) of the Gavarres. The ANG emphasizes that the Salenys is "the last remaining biological corridor linking the Gavarres and Cadiretes, since the construction of the C-65 road". The conservation group suspect links between the government and Russian industralists promoting the project, with the golf course being the focal point for further housing estate developments. Santa Cristina d'Aro already has two 18 hole golf courses plus a pitch and putt course to serve a population of 3,000, a level of saturation matched only by the nearby coastal resort of Pals. 6.10.2002 |
| Phoenician archaeology stops l'Escala golf course - for now The decision to allow the development of the Empúries golf course, hotel and residential complex at l'Escala (Girona) has been deferred after the discovery of four archaeological sites, three of which have already been excavated. The promoter, Vilanera 94, SL, has been asked to modify the project in order to preserve the prehistoric remains. The local authorities believe the project will encourage 'quality tourism' whereas opponents argue that the planned hotel and residential complex does not qualify as a 'rustic' development allowed under the regional land use plan. 5.10.2002 |
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Second Home Dossier
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| Objections to the Maresme desalination plant Agreement has been reached with the Catalan Agència of l'Aigua to provide water desalted in the Blanes desalination plant to eleven Maresme towns. Fifteen percent of the estimated 30 million euros investment will be met by an increase in water bills. "It is unjust and shameful that citizens must pay a water tax to create the desalination plant and in addition must pay for water supplied by the water-treatment plant at Palafolls", explained Norbert Peláez, of the Partido Popular of Pineda de Mar. 5.10.2002 |
| Anoia river pollution creates double-sexed carp Fish in the Anoia river are being sexually altered by estrogen pollution originating from industries located along the river. A team of investigators from the Superior Council of Investigaciones Científicas (SCIC) analyzed the water quality of the rivers Anoia and Cardener (tributary of the Llobregat), and took samples from 246 fish (130 males and 116 females). Seven of these showed signs of intersexuality. In all the cases, the sexual alterations occurred in male fish found in the Anoia. The male fish maintains masculine genital organs, but develops ovaries and displays sexual organ atrophy or partial destruction, which prevents it from reproducing. This is the first time that this type of deformity has been seen in Spain. The polluting agents are basically of industrial origin (alquilfenoles) coming from the leather industry which uses them to remove grease from the skins. Other sources are from sewage water containing feminine sexual hormones, either natural (progesterone or estradiol) or synthetic, (the pill contraceptive). The scientists have also found high levels of a synthetic hormone (dietiletilbestrol) in the river water. Dietiletilbestrol contains estrogen and is being used illegally to fatten pigs and cattle. 4.10.2002 |
| Industrial Estates invade Penedès Wine Region In Penedès, the Catalan wine producing region, the 29 existing industrial estates are about to double in number, and the construction of the high speed rail link appears to be creating unstoppable expansion. A spokesperson for the Ecological pressure groups in the area argues that the proliferation of industrial estates represents "an enormous loss of prestige for the region of the Penedès" and adds that "what it is happening here would be unthinkable in other great and prestigious viticulture areas of the world, like Burgundy, in France, or the Napa Valley in California". Penedès is the Barcelona region with the most agricultural land and the cheapest vacant plots zoned for urbanisation. 5.10.2002 |
| Poor Summer Weather Hits Farmers
Heavy rain affected the vegetable zone of the Llobregat delta and destroyed most of the tomato, watermelon and peppers that are cultivated in Gavà, El Prat, Sant Boi and Viladecans. In Gavà the damage was very serious, resulting in fragile vegetable losses of 90%. Girona Rain, high humidity and a lack of sun have seriously affected the apple harvest, with the total loss of production on some farms. The wet weather has brought some benefits. Farmers growing maize and grapes have seen a bumper harvest this year. Lleida Hail storms in July and August have led falls of up to 70% in the sweet fruit harvest (apples, pears and peaches). Altogether, it is calculated that 48,788 tons of sweet fruit were lost. The fruit storage companies in Lleida are looking to France to stock their refridgerated warehouses. 4.10.2002 |
| Good Neighbours Pilot Scheme for Ciutat Vella A 'Good Neighbours' project financed with 180,000 euros by the European Union will run simultaneously in Barcelona, Birmingham, Lyon, Milan and Rotterdam this winter. It is aimed at supporting the single elderly living in the inner city and is a test run for wider support in this field. 3.10.2002 |
| Government closes 21 polluting pig farms Pig farms without plans to eliminate their slurry that is contaminating underground water reserves have been closed. The councillor of the Department of the Environment, Ramon Espadaler, closed 21 Catalan pig operations in the Girona region which have not presented their clean-up plans on time. This is the first time that the Government has acted in this way and other closures are expected shortly. 2.10.2002 |
| Sant Andreu Cultural Centre located in old Fabra and Coats
textile factory A 3,000 m² church library and conference hall investment will convert the interior of the Sant Andreu former Fabra and Coats factory into a cultural centre. In addition, it will host the Artistic Centre for Scenic Art Professionals. The land where the old factory is located, between Otger, Balari and Jovany streets, was acquired by the City council in 1987. 30.9.2002 |
| Private Hospitals and Clinics Invest 300 million euros in
Barcelona Barcelona has become the health care capital of Spain and private health care is booming in the La Salud medical cluster. This cluster is located between the city's residential zones and the private schools lining the Collserola foothills. Health tourism is a growing trend, promoted by the Barcelona Tourism Department. Private hospitals and clinics are supported by strong domestic demand, with 24% of Catalans paying health insurance, compared to the Spanish average of 11%. The American company Teneth has invested one hundred million euros in developing the Teknon Medical Centre, a project that began in 1994 and which it hopes to complete in January 2003. Teknon selected Barcelona because of the help it received from the government and the tradition of private and specialised health care in the city. Citigroup, another American organisation, has bought the General hospital of Catalunya, where it has invested twelve million euros and will put in an additional 36 million over the next five years. Jorge Flat, medical director of a Barcelona hospital devoted exclusively to plastic surgery, calculates that nearly 30% of his patients come from outside Catalonia, 12% of whom are foreign clients. The Barraquer eye clinic calculates that between 20 and 30% of its patients are from other countries. 30.9.2002 |
| Metro Link between Barcelona and Badalona to open A new Metro line connecting Barcelona and Badalona will be opened next Tuesday. The connection is part of the Plan Infraestructuras Director (PDI), that involves the extension of the metro network between 2001 and 2010 with 67 new stations and 64 kilometres of track. Work in progress includes the future station for the Universal Forum of Cultures that will be ready next year. Once completed, the Barcelona metro network will extend to 83.6 kilometres of track and 115 stations, far short of Madrid's network, that has 176 kilometres of line and 202 stations. 29.9.2002 |
| Fluvianàutic Urbanisation Fight The Conservation group Salvem platform l'Empordà is fighting the proposed River Fluvia urbanisation project in Sant Pere Pescador. They have draped a 200 metre protest banner over the skeleton of a partly completed building at the mouth of the river. 29.9.2002 |
| The Saturated City The selling of land to private developers to pay for three new large infrastructure projects will increase city density, worsen traffic congestion and lead to property speculation. The three projects are the high-speed rail network stations of Sants and Sagrera and the construction of a law court 'city', between Barcelona and l'Hospitalet. Building density is being doubled or tripled in the Sants and l'Hospitalet districts through the selling-off of public land to finance development costs. Building density increases of 20% at Sagrera will be compensated by the creation of a large park that will help unify a zone currently cut into three isolated districts by existing surface rail installations. The new railway facilities at Sants station will triple the building density with the construction of a large lobby, a hotel, offices and shops. Another 22,000 square metres in the surrounding area will be allocated to further tertiary development. The line will be covered in a section where it passes through dense residential suburbs, some compensation for worried neighbours. The 17 new Barcelona law courts to be constructed on the border with l'Hospitalet will be designed by the British architect David Chipperfield. The plan for the zone fixes the construction coefficient index at 3.67 square metres built for each square metre of land. This is a high density for Barcelona considering that the Olympic Village index is 1 m², and the Eixample - one of the densest districts of the city - is 2 m². The Neighbourhoods Association of Barcelona (FAVB) is opposing the three projects, on the grounds that they encourage property speculation. 29.9.2002 |
| Life after Ronda de Mig tunnel The enclosure of the Ronda de Mig inner ring road has led to huge increases in house prices in the areas that have benefited most from the longest urban tunnelling project in Europe. "We bought our home for twelve million pesetas. Now, its worth not less than 50. But, of course, we do not want to sell." This is a typical response from neighbours enjoying the fresh air, quiet streets and new pedestrianised zones laid above the tunnel. The losers include local businesses that have lost much trade during the ten years of construction, and who now have great difficulty in getting access to their businesses for loading and unloading. 29.9.2002 |
| Zaragoza set to become the main logistics centre for
Southern Europe PLAZA, a technological and industrial complex in Zaragoza based on a model of infrastructure connectivity involving air, road and rail networks, may make Zaragoza the logistics capital of southern Europe. The new high speed rail network will place the zone within 75 minutes from Madrid and 60 from Barcelona. The zone is ten times the size of Catalonia's three large logistic centres: the Zone of Aprovisionamiento Logistico (ZAL), (665,000 m²); the adjoining area of Zona Franca (180,000 m²), and Valls (Tarragona) (120,000 m²). Important multinational companies have already chosen Zaragoza as their storage and distribution centre, including the Zara clothes chain. Zaragoza is best known as the location of the giant Opel car plant. 29.9.2002 |
| Lightning Strikes There were 71,000 more lightning bolts this summer compared to last year, with a total of 108,681 in July and August. Nine thousand strikes can occur in a single storm. If they hit an electricity line, disconnection is automatic, followed by reconnection a few minutes later if no damage has occurred. Lightning is good business for suppliers of Sky television connections. The brightness of the flash destroys a sensor located in the centre of the satellite dish, which must then be replaced. It is bad business for those with unsaved work on their computers. 28.9.2002 |
| El Raval Rambla slow to take off Two years after its opening, commercial activity has yet to take off in the El Raval Rambla. Many premises are closed and a large number of shops are only for immigrants living in the zone. Only twenty commercial licences have been issued for the zone so far. Retailers say the Rambla is too wide to encourage shopping. The transfer of university student accommodation to the zone (some 10% of properties are being converted for this purpose) may help correct the situation in the future. 28.9.2002 |
| Public and private sectors have invested 2,800 million euros
in the regeneration of the Ciutat Vella
Summary of the changes:
The organisation that spearheaded the transformation process, Procivesa, (Promoció Ciutat Vella, SA), has now been wound-up, and a new company, Foment de Ciutat Vella, SA, established with the same aims and shareholders. Mayor Clos emphasized that, thanks to the transformation, Barcelona avoided the creation of inner city ghettos that were a real threat to public safety during the 1980s. The inner city has been transformed into a tourist and commercial district with activity throughout the day. The area is not deserted at night or at weekends, like so many British or American inner city zones. The risk of ghettos is still there however, with very strong immigration movements into the district's central areas in the last two years. The numbers of immigrants in the district in 1988 were barely measureable. Today they comprise 36% of the inner city population. The preservation of buildings of cultural value and the opening up of small public garden zones with seating and play areas has been an underlying but critical aspect of the transformation process, along with the construction of a strong cultural axis running through the heart of El Raval to the Opera House on the Rambla. This axis includes:
28.9.2002 |
| Catalan textile company in trouble The textile company Can Feu has suspended payments to creditors, the result of fierce competition from Asian countries for a shrinking market. The company has halved its workforce and is fighting back with highly specialised products and the use of the latest technology machinery. 28.9.2002 |
| Spain receives the most EU aid Spain was the greater beneficiary of EU funding in 2001, receiving 20% of the total. Luxembourg, Holland, Sweden and Germany are net contributors to the EU budget whereas Spain and the other countries are net beneficiaries. 28.9.2002 |
| SEAT Car Plant transfers production to Bratislava Ten percent of Ibiza car production (100 a day) will be transferred from Barcelona to the Volkswagen Slovakian plant where the labour costs are fifth of those of SEAT. This will result in the loss of 500 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs in the Barcelona area, and puts the long term future of the Barcelona SEAT plant in doubt. The Martorell factory has an index of productivity 1 hour per car below the average of the Volkswagen group. The decision resulted from the refusal of workers at the SEAT plant to work 5 more days in October. 28.9.2002 |
| The Causes of the 1962 Flood Tragedy The intensity of the storm - 6 litres a minute in Sabadell - the size of its area, its night timing, the impermeable effects of rapid urbanisation, the lack of vegetation and absorbent earth after four months of intense drought, the nature of the relief that speeded the water down narrow valleys and steep gradients dropping 500 metres in a few kilometres, large boulders, cars and trees carried by the flood waters, narrow bridge arches that became dams, the absence of planning regulations during the Franco era: all key factors leading to the catastrophic floods that killed over 700 people in El Vallés, north of Barcelona. The storm did not have a strange origin. Warm humid air meeting cold air at altitude is relatively common in Catalunya in Autumn, and caused the June 2000 floods (with 6 deaths). What really made it exceptional was the intensity and the size of the affected area: practically all the internal river basins of the region. Small seasonal streams such as the Ripoll for a time transported more water than the Ebro, (over 1,000 cubic metres per second). Catalunya has experienced a further five episodes of rain since 1962 with a similar intensity and size (in 1971, 1977, 1982, 1983 and 2000), without the same drastic effects. Many victims in 1962 were asleep in shanty homes constructed on the river banks or on the dry beds of the rivers and no warning systems existed. 27.9.2002 |
| 27 September 1962 Flood Deaths Forty years after the 1962 floods, the exact number of dead in El Vallés is still not known although it is estimated that 351 people died and a further 372 disappeared. The reason for the uncertainty is the timing of the floods - at night - and the nature of the victims - mainly poor immigrants living in shanty dwellings or caravans next to, or on the dry river beds. 26.9.2002 |
| Changing Tourism: the camping market Only 9 out of 74 camp sites in the Tarragona area currently remain open during the winter, but great efforts have been made to extend the camping season. The main changes involve the modernization of sites and improvement in quality, with larger camping plots and the conversion of caravans to permanent bungalows. An example of this conversion is the Tamarit Camping Park de Tarragona. The Councillor for Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Antoni Subirà, opened its new facilities yesterday. These include two hundred new bungalows. The aim is to appeal to customers seeking cultural tourism, with greater spending power and who will use the camp site restaurants and supermarkets. Camp site bungalows are the new camping market trend and now comprise 10 percent of total camp site accommodation. "This phenomenon is a product of a sector where it has been necessary to adapt to market demands for more comfort and better quality", stressed the manager of the Patronat de Turisme of the Daurada Coast. Bungalows clearly have more appeal than a tent for many people looking to enjoy a week's stay during a Tarragona winter. 26.9.2002 |
| Changing Shopping Patterns in
Blanes The growth of large commercial centres in the Blanes suburbs has changed shopping patterns in the town centre. According to a study undertaken by the Blanes City Council, 40 percent of shoppers no longer use town centre retailers. The retailers are fighting back with offers of free parking, leisure activities and free gifts. 26.9.2002 |
| Lifts to be installed in some of the worst tower blocks Adigsa, the government company in charge of managing the degraded tower blocks constructed during the Franco years has been given the go ahead to install lifts by the end of the year. A 50% subsidy is available but the main difficulty is the ability of tenants on low incomes to raise the rest of the money required. 26.9.2002 |
| Cultural Tourism in Horta and El Vendrell The Picasso Centre in Horta de Sant Joan has received 3,000 visitors this summer, a 10% increase on last year. Numbers visiting the Archaeological Museum, Guimerà Angel and the Pau Casals house have decreased by 30%, however, due to new admission charges. The Ecomuseum dels Ports has managed to attract 1,500 visitors, in its first season of opening. The poor summer weather has been a factor in driving beach tourists to other attractions. 26.9.2002 |
| New glass geriatric hospital to be Forum 2004 hotel The new geriatric hospital building is planned to be opened in Poblenou in 2004 with 280 places for the elderly with physical diseases or psychiatric disorders. The Municipal Geriatric Hospital, located in the district of Bonanova, will then be closed. The city council has offered public aid to companies in the private sector that are interested in installing services of a social-health character in the area. In May 2004, the hospital will first serve as a hotel for the Universal Forum of Cultures delegates. This double function-usage of buildings specifically constructed for international events follows the pattern of Barcelona's model of urban regeneration seen at the Olympic Games, 1992, with the construction of the Olympic Village. This functioned first as athlete accommodation, and afterwards as affordable quality accommodation to help solve the housing shortage in the city. The architect Lluís Clotet claims the building will "neither seem a hospital nor a hotel". The building, with a budget of 22 million euros (3,660 million pesetas), will be five storeys high (28 metres) located at the junction of Llull and Prim streets. It will share street space with an 18-storey office block and adjoin a planned university campus of 150,000 square metres. The architects will use glass as the main construction effect. Rooms will offer a panoramic street view on all sides giving, according to the architect, a therapeutic function. 24.9.2002 |
| Wettest Summer since 1977 The heaviest precipitation fell on 31 July in Montgat (248 litres/m²) and other locations in the Maresme. Record figures over two months include Gisclareny (448 litres), Olot (425), Núria (419) and the Vall d'en Bas (379). In Badalona, where the summer average is 68 litres, 282 litres were recorded. The south and west of Catalunya saw drought conditions, however. In the Conca de Barberà and the Pla d'Urgell only 60% of the average rainfall was received. Drought restrictions are possible since water reserves in the Llobregat river basin stand at 50%, and 80% for the river Ter. 24.9.2002 |
| Hotel occupancy on Costa Brava falls by 5 percent Hotel occupancy on the Costa Brava during the first fortnight of September fell by 5% with respect to last year. The percentage occupancy in these two weeks was 72% on the coast (77.5 % in 2001 and 80.5 % in 2000). The lowest figures were registered in the northern Costa Brava hotels, with a percentage of 65%. The hotel chain Costa Brava Green Hotels will now incorporate small hotels with the creation of the quality mark Petits Grans Hotels. This new hotel nucleus will be formed by 25 establishments of less than 12 rooms. 24.9.2002 |
| Closure of the Sant Adrià power station generator The Department of the Environment has ordered the closure of the Sant Adrià power station's oil-fired generator before the end of October. An investigation was carried out after two days of "black rain" in Sant Adrià in early September. The first polluting episode occurred in June 2000. More than 1,000 residents of Badalona complained then of damaged clothes and cars. In September last year, the "black rain" incident was repeated and at that stage the government threatened the closure of the generator, should a further incident occur. 24.9.2002 |
| Costa Brava Petits Grans Hotels promote
quality A chain of 25 small hotels on the Costa Brava have adopted a green charter mark Petits Grans Hotels to promote quality tourism. The hotels are located in the regions of the Alt and Baix Empordà, Gironès, Garrotxa and Cerdanya. The majority are located in zones of architectural, cultural or landscape interest. The hotels have decided to coordinate their efforts to obtain greater competitiveness in the market. The members of Petits Grans Hotels will now plan a marketing campaign. 24.9.2002 |
| August tourist numbers increased by 3.7% in Spain and by 19%
in Catalonia. Catalonia was Spain's most popular tourist destination in August, receiving 2.2 million visitors, over a third of the total number of 7.8 million. This represents an interannual growth of 32%, with 530,000 more tourists than in August 2001. Annually, Catalonia saw growth of 19%, with 1.4 million more visitors than last year. Between January and August 55.8 million people visited Spain, which represents a 3.7% (or 2 million) increase on last year. Of these, 36.2 million were tourists, representing an increase of 2.3%. Balance of payments data from the Bank of Spain show an important reduction in income coming from tourism. The United Kingdom continues being the first country of tourist origin, with 9.8 million in the first eight months of the year, 1.8% more than in 2001. France has taken second place from Germany with 6.1 million tourists, an increase of 20%. The number of German tourists fell by 7% in August and Americans by 21%. It is the strong decline in tourists from Germany and the U.S.A. that explains the poor state of the service sector in the Balearics, where the number of tourists has fallen by 7%, one million less; in the Canary Islands where it has fallen by 5%, 340,000 less, and in Madrid where a fall of 6.4% has been registered. Price increases of up to 40% in hotels and restaurants are being held partly to blame by the government. 24.9.2002 |
| SEAT threatens to move production of Ibiza cars to
Bratislava The Barcelona SEAT car plant at Martorell threatens to transfer part of the production of Ibiza cars to Bratislava (Slovakia). The threat comes after unions at the plant refused to work five more days in October to meet increasing demand. 24.9.2002 |
| A wall of water in a recently canalized river carries away
20 cars A heavy shower of 87 litres/m² lasting an hour in Arenys de Munt has put the success of recent flood aleviation schemes in doubt. The floods cut the N-11 road and forced the closure of the RENFE railway line. Neighbours said it was the worst flood they had ever seen, with Rial de Pau and Sant Pere de Arenys streets two of the worst affected. Montse Tomás, a resident of Ral street has now seen his house flooded three times in two years. The canalized stretch of the Rial del Bareu was inundated and in an uncanalized section, water carried away five cars and a house. The C-61 road connecting Arenys de Mar and Arenys de Munt was impassable.The heavy shower occurred between seven and the eight o'clock in the evening and was highly localised, falling between Sant Pol and Caldes d'Estrac. 24.9.2002 |
| Fight to save Cap Ras More than 300 people marched in Llançà yesterday in protest at plans to develop the unspoilt pine woodland on the coast at Cap Ras. The march was organised by the conservation groups Salvem CAP Ras and Salvem Platform l'Empordà. Plans include a tourist hotel complex and 35 villas. A spokesperson for Salvem Platform l'Empordà claims that Cap Ras falls within the zone of special protection in the revised General Llançà Urban Plan. 24.9.2002 |
| New Port for Blanes? Fifty boats blockaded Blanes bay for one hour yesterday to demand a new port. Fishermen, representatives of tourist cruise companies and owners of recreational boats are demanding the urgent extension of the port of Blanes, unchanged since construction 88 years ago. The protestors propose the construction of a new harbour entrance with the better distribution of moorings to separate fishing from recreational boats. The fishermen say they do not have sufficient space to work with the present facilities and have to use other ports such as Palamós. Fishing could disappear in Blanes altogether if the wharf is not extended, they say. The port extension would include a large promenade and the creation of two beaches either side. The zone would be closed to private vehicles. The extension to the port would allow tourist cruisers to embark and disembark from the quay, rather than from the beach as they do now. 23.9.2002 |
| Six thousand euros to protect Pinya de Rosa The environmental group Salvem Pinya de Rosa have collected six thousand euros in an art auction in Blanes. The money will be used to finance legal action to preserve Pinya de Rosa. The present owners of the zone want to build a residential estate with three hundred villas and a tourist hotel. 23.9.2002 |
| Diagonal Mar Park: a social and physical barrier The Park at Diagonal Mar is officially opened today, being part of the ambitious transformation of the city area close to the river Besòs. The construction of a large park at the end of the Diagonal was included in Ildefons Cerdà's original plan of Barcelona drawn up in 1859. It has taken a century and a half to become a reality. The green zone has been constructed on land formerly occupied by the metal foundry Macosa, with a large number of railway sidings. The park has been financed by the real estate company Hines American, which has constructed 1,600 apartments. The location of the buildings - in the interior of the park - creates a semi-private atmosphere and has generated distrust amongst neighbouring communities. The new park is surrounded by large fences that give an off-putting private feel to the zone. At night, when the gates are locked, the park becomes a barrier, effectively sealing off access to the sea for inland communities. 22.9.2002 |
| "Unsustainable growth endangers our natural
heritage" (Mayor of Bisbal) A new luxury urbanisation at Jafra, the C-252 road extension, the refuse dump at Vacamorta, the reconversion of the port of Sant Feliu into a marina, the new C-31 road between Palamós and Palafrugell: all examples, according to the Bisbal mayor, of a model of limitless growth that damages the environment and "lines the pockets of a few speculators". On the other hand, the mayor of Palamós, Jordi Pallí, believes that "the progress is not bad in itself but it must be reasonable. Roads in our area must improve because they are needed for our own population". 22.9.2002 |
| Sixty New Projects threaten the Girona environment New leisure and industrial projects in the Girona region are generating increasing protests from environmentalists. Concerns about damage to the natural environment and unsustainable growth have led to the formation of new opposition movements including the Salvem platform l'Empordà in Alt Empordà and Assemblea Socio-Ambiental in Baix Empordà. The latter organisation has drawn up a map of environmental blackspots that includes more than 60 new projects, activities, equipment or urbanized zones that are environmentally damaging. 22.9.2002 |
| Mitasa Textile Company to close two plants Another Catalan emblematic textile company, Mitasa, is to close its two factories at Castellar de N'Hug and Alfarràs. The company, one of the first staple fibres companies in Spain, has been in crisis for years. Its products are largely unspecialized that have not been able to resist the competition from Asia. 21.9.2002 |
| Deltebre storks begin their autumn migration The storks are enroute in search of warmer wintering quarters, which gives an excellent opportunity to see them in the Ebro delta. This emblematic bird usually stops in the Delta to rest and to feed during its migration. It is easy to see it in the rice fields and even sometimes within urban areas. Scores of other species, like the fish eagle, also use the Delta as a temporary resting place during their migration at this time of the year. 21.9.2002 |
| Diagonal Mar Park fences create distrust The large fences that surround the public park at Diagonal Mar, have led to concerns of many neighbours that it will be reserved for residents only. The Park will be open from 10 in the morning until dusk and will be closed during the night. President of the Association of Neighbours of Diagonal Mar, Josep Fixed, fears that the large fences will lead the Park becoming a barrier for their district. "If we cannot get into the park, how we will be able to get to the beach?", he asks. The neighbours think that the Diagonal Mar private housing should not be located within the public area. This is an opinion shared by the Fòrum of the Besòs and the Association of Neighbours of Poblenou. These organizations criticize the public consultation process that is reality only affects 10 percent of the total surface area. Architect Benedetta Tagliabue explains that the park was planned to integrate the residential blocks. "We did not choose to replicate an Eixample block, where the park is within the building island, but the other way around", Tagliabue says. The perimeter fence is to avoid acts of vandalism and there is no direct access from the blocks. There is a similarity with the formula used in the Olympic Village, where the interiors of buildings are public, but are closed at night. There is a very real 'private' feel to the Olympic Village garden interiors that discourages casual visitors. 21.9.2002 |
| Nou Barris Central Park nearly completed The park will open next spring and with an area of 16.6 hectares, will be the second largest urban park in Barcelona (after the Ciutadella and excluding Montjuïc and Collserola). The park will include two lakes, with paths passing beneath waterfalls. 20.9.2002 |
| Ebro rice sector badly hit: poor harvests,
liberalization of tariffs in Europe and reduced river levels Poor weather has led to a fall of 8% in rice production this year. Temperature fluctuations have been a problem, particularly for black rice: rice needs even temperatures to mature and farmers had to reseed several times in April before germination occurred. Rice dealers further fear a fall in prices next year, when the liberalization of tariffs will allow the entrance into Europe of rice from the developing world. In addition, the announcement of a lowering of water levels to allow for water transfer to Barcelona has created much gloom in the sector. Farmers are concerned that irrigation water quality will suffer. The new European agriculture policy will give a simple subsidy per hectare, unlinked to productivity, which will be a disincentive to farmers to produce more and remain competitive. The best solution for sustainability in the rice sector lies in maintaining quality and in obtaining environmental aid that is related to the environmental function of the rice fields within the Mediterranean wetlands ecosystem. 20.9.2002 |
| Barcelona the European city with most mopeds after Rome with parking for 237,000 mopeds, one moped for every three cars. 19.9.2002 |
| The Catalan KANDA Insurance Group relocate to the Ronda de
Dalt Kanda, the Spanish market leader in security certification, will relocate its offices in Barcelona to a building on the Ronda de Dalt. Kanda has a group of 20 companies with offices in Spain and branches in Colombia, Mexico, Canada, France, United Kingdom, Andorra and Portugal. It will continue to maintain its technical department in Sabadell. 19.9.2002 |
| Changing Economic Structure Half of the jobs created by the Catalan economy in the last eight years have been concentrated in commerce (22%), construction (14.7%), hotels and restaurants (6.1%) or real estate services (4.5%). The growth, in mainly low income occupations, is linked to increased tourism. Between 1991 and the 2001, the economy has experienced a radical change of profile. The manufacturing sector has fallen from from 37% to 25% (the Spanish average is 17%) and services have increased from 52.8% to 63.7%. The greatest decline in manufacturing has been in textiles, leather, footwear and metals. The construction industry lost almost 90,000 jobs between 1991 and 1994 but recovered them in the eight following years. This changing economic structure is linked to changes in migration patterns. Population has been displaced from the large urban centres to the smaller towns. Industry has left the city to relocate on the periphery. The last decade has also seen the growth of many private universities and schools. The key to the economic success of the Tarragona, Girona and Lleida axes is in the model of land deal - hotel planning permission - construction. Barcelona has remained the centre of services of highest added value and is better positioned to survive an economic crisis than other urban centres in the region. 18.9.2002 |
| Catalan economy in danger A report indicates that the delays in the extension of the airport and port and the high speed rail link, as well as the highest high road tolls in the country are affecting the competitiveness of the Catalan economy. This it is the diagnosis of the Col·legi d'Enginyers Industrials de Catalunya in a report in which the situation of the rail and road networks is examined in detail. It concludes that the delays in the completion of the large projects - from the Spanish high speed train (BIRD) to the extension of the port and Barcelona airport, coupled with public investment decisions favouring Madrid rather than Barcelona is affecting the growth of the Spanish economy as a whole. Catalonia is traditionally the 'motor' that drives Spain, representing 19% of Spanish GDP and contributing 28% of exports. In the last decade it has received just 10.5% of State investments. Between 1995 and 2003, Madrid will have invested 2,780 million euros in its transport infrastructure improvements, more than double the 1,210 million euros allocated to Barcelona between 1995 and 2010. 17.9.2002 |
| Sant Feliu benefits from Garrotxa Natural Park protection Sant Feliu is the first Costa Brava town to obtain Natural Park Protected Status with the aim of preserving its rural origins. In contrast to other Coasta Brava towns, Sant Feliu hotels have benefited from increased visitors this summer enjoying rural tourism. 16.9.2002 |
| Wild boar plague Guilleries Farmers in the zone of the Montseny and the Guilleries have expressed dismay at the damage caused by wild boar in their maize fields. The animals are appearing in numbers never seen before, a result of the crossing between wild animals and domestic pigs and this year's bad weather that has affected their natural food supply. The constant rain has prevented chestnuts and acorns from falling from the trees. 16.9.2002 |
| Barcelona tram link with Baix Llobregat will open in 2003 The network will have three lines with a common trunk route between Barcelona and the intersection of l'Hospitalet, Esplugues and Cornellà on the C-245. There will be 15.2 kilometres of track with a total of 29 stops. The service will have 19 street cars that will have a frequency of three to 10 minutes. It will be able to transport about 65,000 travellers per day, most of them existing bus users. The neighbours have complained about the link, preferring a metro line extension instead. 16.9.2002 |
| Europe's longest urban tunnel opens to protests The longest urban tunnel urban in Europe (2.2 kilometres) on the Ronda de Mig opened yesterday, surrounded by protestors complaining about the construction of a market on the new-found street surface and new council houses in the zone for young people and the elderly instead of leisure parks. 16.9.2002 |
| Exodus of families from Barcelona forces construction of new
schools The exodus of inhabitants of Barcelona in search of a better house or an improved quality of life has widely exceeded the geographic limits of the metropolitan area. At first the towns of the Maresme or the Vallès saw a new population influx but now more remote towns in Baix Penedès have been forced to expand their existing schools and build new ones. Next Monday, two new schools in Bellvei and Cunit will open and schools in Sant Jaume dels Domenys and Calafell have been forced to expand. Ninetyfour new students have enrolled in Vendrell, a very high number considering that new demand in Reus and Tarragona has been for 96 and 49 students respectively. Cunit has registered an increase in population of 162 percent in the last ten years. During the same period, the population of Calafell has increased by 86% and Vendrell by 54%. Ninety percent of the new students are in the primary age group. Teacher Unions have complained that class sizes in the coastal towns of Cunit, Calafell, Segur de Calafell and Vendrell exceed the maximum limit of 25 students per class. 15.9.2002 |
| Increase in Barcelona urban density One of the great virtues of the Metropolitan General Plan (1976) was the reduction of 20% in building density in the city. But now this percentage is not adhered to. There is a continuous drip effect of new developments such as offices in Llançà street and the commercial centre at Sants station that is causing urban density in the city to increase. 15.9.2002 |
| Calafell residents demand solution to night noise More and more tourist towns on the Daurada Coast face the eternal dilemma of making their sought-after tranquillity compatible with tourist night-life. The residents of Calafell are concerned about the opening of three new music bars in their town and "the fact that young people stay in the street talking and drinking after the bars shut while they wait for the first train that leaves at six in the morning", added Francesc Armengou, one of the neighbours' spokesmen. The mayor explained that the bars keep to the law and that the only thing that can be done is to increase the police presence to avoid the massive concentration of young people during the dawn hours. The neighbours also demand a control on the flow of cars and mopeds at night, the improvement of the street environment and an increase in the number of litter bins. 15.9.2002 |
| Improved rail transport plans The 'new railway proposal for Catalonia' project presented last Thursday by the Socialists envisage the train as a vital strategic means of transport for future European integration. The proposal has two basic objectives: to link the cities of inner Catalonia (Lleida, Manresa, Vic, Olot) with those of the coastal axis (Tarragona, Barcelona, Girona) and to create a new rail freight network. By 2020 the present freight traffic will have doubled. The aim is to avoid increased road congestion and the associated high environmental costs of transport by road. The financing of this extensive network would follow the Swiss model, paid for by a tax on trucks, increased fuel tax, an increase of 0.1% in VAT and state funding. The plan also includes a new city rail link to Poblenou, Fòrum 2004 and the district 22@. 14.9.2002 |
| Ebro Delta salt mines in danger Damage to access routes and electrical supplies caused by this year's poor weather has led to a fall of 85% in salt production in the delta. Output for 2001-02 will be close to 10,000 tons, when normally it varies between 70,000 and 80,000. Added extra expenses (of 480,000 euros), that the salt mine company has had to incur to repair weather damage has forced the dismissal of thirteen workers out of a total of 29. "We need a proper access road and a secure electrical supply, otherwise our continuity is in danger", claims the manager of the salt mines, Joan Socarrats. Electricity is needed to regulate the water levels of the salt lagoons and without it, production is lost. Fecsa, the Catalan electricity company, says that restoration of a quality service is impossible because of the precarious state of the Barra del Trabucador, that gives access to the Banya peninsula. 14.9.2002 |
| Costa Brava tourism in decline Whereas Barcelona has projected a futuristic image with an attractive culture, the Costa Brava has remained enfixed in the 1960s "sun and beach" era. The excessive dependency on foreign tourism and big price increases - 40% increase in hotel room rates in 5 years - has made destinations such as Croatia or Bulgaria more attractive. The professor of Applied Economics at Barcelona University, Josep Oliver, believes that the Costa Brava "must review its policy" if it wishes to remain competitive. In his opinion, the sector must conserve its natural heritage and reject the construction of new large road links aimed at a mass tourist market that is in decline. "The natural surroundings are the Costa Brava's greatest assets and it is essential to conserve them. If projects continue like the C-252 road between Figueres and the Bisbal, the coast will lose its value". The construction of new road axes also threatens the interior. The N-260 viaduct in Castellfollit de la Roca or the future tunnel of Bracons will reduce the attractiveness of the region, noted Oliver. In this context, he suggests the development of a common tourist policy integrating the interior with the coast following a model of "sustainable growth". The future of the sector can only be secured through "a quality approach", he concluded. The Annual Economic Report reveals that the region of Girona continues to be one of the economic motors of Catalonia. Economic activity in the region grew by 2.8% last year, three tenths above the Catalan average. Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà, Gironès, Pla of l'Estany and the Bosc were the most dynamic regions, with a growth in excess of 3%. Nevertheless, the expansion was more moderate than in previous years, when economic activity grew by more than 4%. The fall in consumption and the reduction in public investments explain this negative tendency. For this year, Oliver predicts negative growth, caused by a fall in tourism and a slowdown in the construction industry. 14.9.2002 |
| The longest urban tunnel in Europe 2.2 kilometres of new
covered ring road The Ronda de Mig tunnel will open on Sunday. The covering of over 2 kilometres of ring road has been carried out in different phases over ten years with an investment of 63.8 million euros- some financed by means of the construction of ground surface car parks. This construction, much appreciated by local residents, has allowed for the creation of a large pedestrianised area to be completed over the covered sections. The 2.2 kilometres Cerdà-Diagonal tunnel is the largest in the city. Other large urban tunnels include the Rovira, connecting the Ronda de Mig with the Ronda de Dalt under El Carmel (1.3 kilometres in length), followed by the Olympic Vila tunnel (812 ms), the Oreneta tunnel on the Ronda de Dalt (783 ms), the Mitre tunnel on the Ronda de Mig (550 ms); the Poblenou tunnel on the Ronda de Dalt (507 ms), the Almansa, also on the Ronda de Dalt (490 ms), the Pla de Palau, on the Ronda Littoral (455 ms) and the Columbus tunnel, also on the Littoral, (417 ms). 13.9.2002 |
| Barcelona Council approves new plans for 22@ The government gave the green light yesterday for the first council housing in the new technological district 22@, with about 70 flats to be constructed at the junction of Cristóbal de Moura and Josep Pla streets, as well as to the construction of 159 houses in three other zones of the city: 68 apartments for young people in Nou Barris, 75 for the elderly in Via Favència and 16 for people affected by city-planning projects in Sants-Montjuïc. The government also gave approval for five new urbanization and infrastructure projects in the district 22@. The operation, that will cost about 8 million euros, affects an area of 50,000 square meters, 8% of the total area that will be urbanized in this emergent city zone. 13.9.2002 |
| Ebro water to Barcelona taps within two years The Ebro defence committee says that the Government is in a hurry because it wants to obtain European money before the evaluation of the financing of the PHN (National Water Plan). The Departament of the Environment hopes to have the Barcelona water supply network connected to the Tarragona network (which links with the Ebro) by 2004. The work will involve the construction of a 60 kilometre 1.90 metre-diameter pipe to link Campredó (Tarragonès) with the reservoir at Olèrdola (Alt Pendès), where it will connect with the network of the Ter-Llobregat system. Opponents to the plan claim that the connection will provide as much water as the controversial PHN scheme. The government claims that there will be a real water crisis in Barcelona without the link. The interconnection of the Catalan water supply networks, it argues, is the most rational use of the water and, at the same time, will reduce the volume that must be transferred from other river basins. The promoters of the connection also insist that only surplus Ebro water would be transferred to Barcelona. The Tarragona zone has an annual concession to take 126 hm³ of Ebro water but only uses about 70 hm³ - with a demand concentrated in the tourist season - and that will only rise to 80 hm³ towards 2010. "Tarragona does not use all the water available. Our idea is to take advantage of the excess volume in winter ", says Marta Lacambra, director of the ACA (Agència Catalana de l’Aigua). A third argument is that, in spite of recent rain, the reservoirs have not reached the necessary levels, and urgent drought measures are being considered. Manolo Tomás, leader of the Ebro Defence Committee, thinks, however, that "the Generalitat looks to quickly obtain European funds because it fears that the European Union will not authorize the financing once it has made an environmental evaluation of the hydrological plan". Manolo Tomás does not think that it is possible to speak of excess water volumes, because "Tarragona has never used nor been sent the totality of the concession". The agreement signed with the Ministry of the Environment anticipates that 85% of the financing - with a cost of 156 million euros- will come from EU cohesion funds, with 4% from the ministry and the rest from water consumers or the Generalitat. 13.9.2002 |
| Spain has the highest rate of EU unemployment The rate of unemployment in the European Union has remained stable, at 7.7%. By country, the lowest rate of unemployment was registered in Luxembourg (2.4%), whereas the highest was in Spain (11.3%). The countries with the lowest rate of unemployment included Austria (4,1%), Denmark (4,3%) and Ireland and Portugal (4,5%). In eleven of the twelve Eurozone states, the rate of unemployment increased during last the twelve months. The rate of youth unemployment varied between 7% in Austria and 22.2% in Spain. 12.09.2002 |
| No possibility of social cohesion if immigrants do not learn
Catalan The massive arrival of new immigrants reveals a weakness in the social use of Catalan. In the 1960s and 1970s, Catalonia integrated the thousands of immigrant families that came from the south of Spain, but the recent massive arrival of immigrants is putting the social use of Catalan in danger. A thesis corroborated and developed by Ignasi Vila, professor of the University of Girona and expert in immigration issues, believes that "there is no possibility of social cohesion if the immigrants do not learn Catalan". Catalonia has made very little effort to teach Catalan to foreign adults, according to some. 12.09.2002 |
| More Black Rain from the Sant Adrià power station The thermal power station of Sant Adrià de Besòs overlooking Diagonal Mar in Barcelona has been identified as the source of the "black rain" that has fallen in the area, damaging furniture, vehicles and clothes. This is not the first time that it has happened. In June 2000 the first episode of black rain was detected followed by more two months later. The origin of the problem, according to the Department of the Environment, is the oil-based fuel used in the second generator. This gives off iron particles that accumulate in the chimney and are then dispersed into the atmosphere. A spokesman for the electricity company said yesterday that no official complaint from the Government had actually been received. The company has planned the partial closure of the power station in December. The power station normally only uses the first and third generators, fed with natural gas, and reserves the second for short periods of high power demand. 12.09.2002 |
| Only 64 of 1,341 pig farms in "vulnerable zones"
have presented plans for environmental protection Two out of three pig farms have ignored the decree from the Ministry of Environment that requires them to treat their slurry rather than discharge it direct into the rivers. Socialist deputy Manel Nadal has declared that this has become "one of the greatest environmental problems in Catalonia". At the moment 10 million cubic metres of slurry is produced each year in Catalonia. In Girona, the vulnerable zones are the regions of the Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà, Gironès and Pla of l'Estany. A higher degree of compliance with the regulations is found in Barcelona, where one in three of the 1,820 registered farms have adjusted to the requirements. In Lleida only 253 of 3,0014 farms and in Tarragona, 27 of 770 have complied. 12.09.2002 |
| Nearly 40,000 written objections to the proposed Barcelona
water transfer plan More than 37,800 written objections to the planned connection of the water network of the Consorci d'Aigües of Tarragona with that of the Ter-Llobregat have been submitted. 12.09.2002 |
| Barcelona airport second fastest growing in Europe Prat was the second fastest growing European airport in July after Paris-Orly. According to data from the Council of International Airports (ACI), Prat received 2.08 million passengers, 2.2% more than in the same period last year. These numbers occur within a European context of general airport decline. 11.9.2002 |
| Loss of airport suitcases gives third-world image Barcelona fills the one and two star, but not the luxury hotels Tourists have been mainly British, French and Italian. The occupancy of hotels of 1 and 2 stars was 90% in July and 95% in August. Three star hotels recorded 78% in July and 68% in August. Those of 4 stars registered 87% in July and 70% last month. Five star hotels had an occupancy of 85% in July that fell to 60% the following month. Economic uncertainty may have led visitors to downgrade from five stars to four. The oversupply of hotel rooms is blamed by the hoteliers, with 63 hotels and 8,535 new rooms in the pipeline for 2005. A tourism spokesman criticises the airport for the rash of lost suitcases. This gives, he says, "the image of a third-world country". 11.9.2002 |
| Tarragona economy is the most dynamic in Catalonia The growth of tourism and industry along the Daurada Coast led to economic growth above the Catalan average last year. On the contrary, the primary sector underwent a strong decline, partly due to the bad olive oil (-58,3%) and wine harvests (-5,7%), and the reduction in fish catches in the ports of Sant Carles de la Ràpita (-9%) and Tarragona (-4,3%). This was translated in a fall in primary sector income of 11.9 percent, the most negative result of Catalonia. Tarragona headed the expansion of the service sector with a growth in GDP of 3.8 percent. The growth of commerce and tourism has been a determining factor, although the professor of Applied Economics at the Autònomous University of Barcelona notices that the picture has already begun to change. "Tourism of low quality based on low prices and with little added value does not have a future due to the competition from other emergent destinations; the Daurada Coast has the advantage of a large number of national clients due to its geographic situation". Tarragona has had better results in the industrial sector, with an increase in GDP of 3 percent, followed by Lleida (1.7 percent). The professor emphasized the good growth of the power industry, concentrated along the River Ebro and Baix Camp, and the role of the food and chemical industry. It is also the region with the largest reduction in unemployment in Catalonia, of 5.6 points. The construction industry has entered a period of more moderate growth. The most dynamic regions of Tarragona are the Ebro, (this has the fastest growth in Catalonia), Baix Camp, Alt Terra, Baix Penedès and Tarragonès. 11.9.2002 |
| 10,000 jobs to go in the textile sector The textile industry will lose 9,700 jobs and 120 companies next year, according to the employer's association, the Intertextile Council. The causes are competition from developing countries and the reduction in demand in Europe. Developing countries have been helped by the dismantling of EU tariff barriers and the loss of competitiveness in countries like Italy, Portugal, France and Germany. Spanish companies have demonstrated a better capacity to adapt and exports have grown (by 3%) this year, although they have been outpaced by increasing imports (3.5%). 11.9.2002 |
| 85% of the companies in the textile sector have less than 20
workers A structural problem exists in the textile industry that is attributed to the "individualism" of the industrialists, who are very reluctant to cooperate. The annual assembly yesterday of the Intertextile Council supported increased cooperation between companies, particularly in research and internationalization. There was a demand for greater government promotion of the industry and financial assistance to encourage innovation. It insisted that the removal of EU tariff barriers must be accompanied by the opening of markets such as China and India, where tariffs of 80% are applied. 11.09.2002 |
| Catalonia has 26% of Spain's textile companies Catalonia is the autonomous region with the largest concentration of textile companies, totalling 9,365, which comprises 26.25% of the total Spanish number. Of these 9,365, 53.9% are dedicated to manufacturing. Some 32.4%, equivalent to 3,040 companies, specialise in finishing, whereas 1,265 companies are wholesalers. By provinces, Barcelona is the one that has the largest number of industries, with 7,822 companies or 83.52% of the Catalan total. It is followed by the provinces of Girona, with 720 companies, Tarragona with 494 and Lleida with 339. The autonomous region of Madrid, with 5,080 companies (14.24%), is the second largest textile industry cluster after Catalonia. 11.09.2002 |
| Eight new commercial centres will open by 2007 Catalonia has eight new commercial centres planned that will add 165,000 square metres of shopping space by 2007, according to the report "Commercial Centres Market" compiled by the consultants CB Richard Ellis. The new centres will include the Grand Via II Centre, in the Pedrosa polygon of l'Hospitalet; the old bullring of Placa España; the Sants station extension; the second phase of La Maquinista; the project of the Spanish RCD in Cornellà; the Diversity de Real estate Bouygues, in Sant Boi, and the macroproject of the old Fecsa electricity powerstation at Finestrelles, promoted by Sacresa and Inversiones Hemisphere. At the moment Catalonia has 68 commercial centres, with 1,057 million square metres of rentable space. On a national scale, there are 147 commercial centres planned that will involve a total investment of 7,300 million euros by 2006. Sixtytwo centres have already obtained planning approval. According to the consultant, "the moratorium on the opening of new centres in some zones (e.g. Barcelona) has had the opposite effect to that intended", because the promoters have accelerated their projects to anticipate the moratorium taking effect. It appears that shopping in Spain is beginning to become the new leisure experience. 11.9.2002 |
| Another textile factory closes The ARAGONESE INDUSTRIAL COMPANY will close its two plants and dismiss 240 workers, illustrating the continuing crisis in the textile sector. The company, specialising in swimwear and pyjamas, will close its two plants located at Amer and Pineda. Only a small factory in Morocco will remain in production. 10.09.2002 |
| Office Rents fall in Barcelona The cost of renting an office has fallen by 18%. Property availability varies from 4% in the city to 18% on the periphery, its highest level since 1997. The most significant fall in office rents occurred in the metropolitan area, where the average price was 13.22 euros m²/month, 18.2% less than six months ago. Prices have fallen by 5.7% along the main CBD axis (Passeig de Gràcia and Diagonal) and by 3.6% in the new commercial zones (Glòries, Olympic Village, Poblenou). The only proprietors of buildings that were able to increase their prices were those of the Eixample, where they are able to let as soon as a supply became available. The general reduction in prices must be linked to the increase in the supply (57,000 m² in six months) which has not been absorbed by the market. Renters have had more options to choose from and the proprietors have been forced to accept lower rents. 10.09.2002 |
| The River Llobregat and the beach at Prat For the first time since the Sixties, it is possible to safely swim on the beach at Prat, that until now was a black spot on the coast. The waste water collectors of the zone have been connected to the Llobregat purifying plant to avoid direct spillage into the river. The treated water is passed three kilometres out to sea through a large submarine pipe. This installation is being completed with a biological cleaning system and by next year 92% of the contaminated water will be purified. The purifier will have a capacity to treat 420,000 m³ of waste water a day, giving service to the two million inhabitants of Barcelona, Cornellà, the Prat, Esplugues, l'Hospitalet, Sant Boi, Sant Joan, Sant Just and Santa Coloma de Cervelló. One of the most ambitious objectives is to reuse the cleaned water. The Catalan Agència of l'Aigua (Catalan Water Agency) is investigating the feasibility of pumping the water upstream to Sant Joan Despí, to feed the final section of the river - very depleted in its final tract - and of using the water to help maintain the Delta wetlands, for agricultural irrigation and for injection into the subsoil to suppress the marine salt water intrusion. 9.09.2002 |
| Forestry Ecotax Demand The Catalan forestry owners have requested an ecotax along the lines of the Balearic Islands to care for the forests. The spokesman for the Forest Partnership of Catalonia (CFC), has suggested that users of the forests who stay in local hotels should have the tax added to their bill. The income would be used to improve and conserve the abandoned forests. The promoters of this initiative argue that the forested mountain zones of Catalonia do not generate sufficient income to allow for their maintenance and the continuous accumulation of combustible material increases the fire risk. Depopulation is another factor that contributes to the abandonment of the forests, yet they are receiving more visitors each year. Joan Rovira, Secretary General of the Forest Partnership, supports an ecotax since the forests offer numerous advantages to society such as a leisure resource, the conservation of biodiversity, the ecological reduction of carbon dioxide, a reduction in flood risk, water storage and many other functions. The Government Forest Policy requires the allocation of 30 euros per hectare per year to forestry management, whereas a study by the association of Forest Professionals (Profor) indicates that it is spending only 4.3 euros per hectare. 8.09.2002 |
| New urbanization at Perelló 400 houses and a hotel are planned for the six kilometres that separate the population of Perelló from the coast. The Council has fixed a 100 metre limit between the development and the coast, as required by current law, to encourage conservation and allow for public access. Mayor Pallarès recognizes that "there are many people who do not know that we have a coast; in fact Perelló is a town that has always lived with its back to the sea". The Council wants to diversify the predominantly agricultural economy with the development of a tourist industry and new irrigation projects in the area. 8.09.2002 |
| All historic districts of the city to have a housing
development office At the moment only the Eixample, Ciutat Vella, Gràcia and the district of Poble Sec have a housing office with old industrial areas such as Sants or Sant Andreu lacking this amenity. The president of the Council Building Heritage, Eugeni Forradellas, has asked for aid for those owners who renovate their apartments and wish to rent. A new policy document tackles the issues of space taken up in the construction process and the need to renew building exteriors to assist the rental market. Forradellas also wants to encourage the sale of houses to the City council, so that it can meet the cost of the rehabilitation and allocate homes to underprivileged groups. The document also emphasises the changes in the type of occupation of the traditional house caused by high prices and changes in society. Houses are now typically subdivided and occupied by single people, the young, the elderly or immigrants. According to estimations, those groups with limited resources will represent 50% of the housing demand in the next ten years. Jaume Barnada, director of Policy of Land and Dwelling, explained that in the last eight years, 24,000 new houses have been constructed, of which 12,000 correspond to apartments with protected low rents. Critics such as the municipal group of Convergència i Unió accused the government of planning "to construct a city for millionaires. Instead of assisting the supply of affordable housing so that Barcelonians can continue living in the city, speculative operations are promoted that create luxury districts". La Vanguardia 7.09.2002 |
| Plans for a new airport in Barcelona The Government has plans to construct three new airports in Catalonia, starting work in 2007. A new airport in Barcelona would absorb 90% of the traffic currently congesting the Sabadell terminal and ease flows at El Prat. There are 27 million travellers a year currently passing through the Catalan airports and this figure is expected to rise to 90 million in 2025. Freight traffic is anticipated to increase annually from 90 to 100 million tonnes. The plan is based around the existing three large airports: El Prat, Reus and Girona. Councillor Puig, from the Government Land and Works Policy Department believes that it is necessary to relieve the pressure on the small airport at Sabadell (north of Barcelona) , and to avoid freight congestion at El Prat. The location is still to decided. Locational studies will be made next year. The regions with the greatest possibilities are El Bages and l' Anoia. "In any case, it must be a location that has geographical and environmental viability and that is well connected with the metropolitan region of Barcelona", added the councillor. The plan also anticipates a second runway in Girona. Puig insists on the necessity to coordinate the three existing large airports within the plan. Hydroports are also planned at eight dams (Riba-Roja, Flix, Mequinensa, Oliana, Sant Ponç, Sau, Boadella and Camarassa) and in six points of the coast (Roses, Palamós, mouth of the port of Barcelona, Vilanova i the Geltru, Cubelles, l'Ampolla and the mouth of the port of Tarragona). La Vanguardia 7.09.2002 |
| Fòrum 2004, " a bad example" Carles Desert (CiU), mayor of Roses and president of the Delegation of Girona, criticizes the "large-scale property developments" that are underway along the coast, such as the Universal Forum of Cultures 2004, because he thinks that "they are not good examples for the future of the Catalan coast". He fears tourism along the Costa Brava (north of Barcelona) will be adversely affected by new competition. La Vanguard 7.09.2002 |
| Cerdà goes to London Ildefons Cerdà, planner of the Eixample Garden City project of 1859, has been honoured in London as the pioneer of modern urbanism in a exhibition at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). For Richard Hastilow, president of the RIBA, the project of Cerdà "is a supreme example of a civilized city." La Vanguardia 7.9.2002 |
| The new water purifying station on the River Llobregat represents the beginning of an irreversible process of improvement in the environmental quality of the Llobregat delta. With a capacity to purify the effluent of 2.3 million inhabitants and a 420,000m³ daily volume, these biological purification facilities are part of the Catalan National Hydrological Plan and will become one of the largest and most modern in Europe. The scheme will also help prevent the marine intrusion of saline water upstream and as a result, help raise the fresh watertable in the surrounding area. This in turn, will have long-term benefits for agricultural and industrial users who will have access to new groundwater sources. 7.09.2002 |
| The rejuvenation of Castellfollit de la Roca The birth rate of the second smallest town in Catalonia has increased after 20 years of stagnation. In 1998 four babies were born in the town, compared to just one in 1995, bringing the population to 1,000. The new houses for young couples that Castellfollit offers are, according to some, the causes of the population increase. But some sources claim that the arrival of young working people for the construction of the new N-260 bypass have also contributed to the population increase. Of the 40 places available at the day-care centre in Castellfollit, more than 30 have already been occupied by children of preschool age, 0 to 3 years. Half of the children come from other towns in the Garrotxa region (Olot, Sant Joan les Fonts and Vall de Bianya). This increase in the birth rate is also occurring in other Garrotxa districts. The population of Olot has increased by 94, (with 237 births in 2001), Sant Joan les Fonts has 13 new inhabitants (15 births in 2001) and Tortellà, 3 (one birth last year). This tendency contrasts with the tradition in which Garrotxa is one of the Catalan regions with the largest index of ageing. Catalonia has an average of 111 people over the age of 65 years for every 100 children of 14 or less years of age. In Olot there are 192. 6.09.2002 |