An agreement between the Barcelona City Council and the Ministry of Finance has enabled the city to acquire, at no cost, 62.8 hectares of the Barcelonian coastline. This pact, celebrated by Mayor Jaume Collboni and Minister Arcadi España, modifies the demarcation of the maritime-terrestrial zone (ZMT) established in 2009 and grants Barcelona exclusive control over 5.2 kilometres of coastline stretching from the Barceloneta neighbourhood to Sant Adrià de Besòs.
Details of the agreement and its impact on the city
The transfer includes key areas such as the Olympic zone and the marine platform of the Fòrum. With this move, the aim is to consolidate the investments made since the 1992 Olympic Games and facilitate future projects that will transform the waterfront. It is estimated that these initiatives will require an investment exceeding 100 million euros.
Both Collboni and España have emphasised the historic importance of the agreement, which has been in the making for nearly two decades. “Today we celebrate a historic agreement that will allow Barcelona to regain full ownership of over 60 hectares,” stated Collboni. The mayor also highlighted that future actions will focus on climate adaptation, beach maintenance, and the creation of new green spaces.
“This agreement demonstrates that with the current Spanish government, we can achieve beneficial agreements for our city,” he added.
For his part, Arcadi España emphasised that this transfer is positive for Barcelona's citizens as it allows for closer management by the City Council. “There are years of progress and well-being ahead for the residents thanks to this collaboration between administrations,” he declared.
The transfer not only secures previous municipal investments but also eliminates uncertainties about who should maintain these spaces. From now on, all decisions related to these lands will be the responsibility of the municipality.
However, there are exceptions: areas designated for current economic activities such as shopping centres or nightclubs are not included in this agreement. Additionally, negotiations continue regarding other state properties located between the Plaza del Mar and other sectors of the coastline.
Over the years, Barcelona has sought to reclaim its coastline to improve urban quality of life and enhance its tourist appeal. This new step represents a significant advance towards a more efficient and sustainable management of the Barcelonian coastal space. The transformation of the coastline will not only benefit local residents but also attract visitors interested in enjoying a revitalised natural environment.
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