Challenges and opportunities for urban design viability in Barcelona's Eixample district

Eixample in Barcelona, Spain currently has a large population of ۲۶۲,۴۸۵ individuals. The reason for its grid-like layout today is due to the increase in population over time. As the city grew, it faced challenges such as the spread of diseases and a lack of vacant land. This led to the need for expansion, which was a major problem at the time. In ۱۸۵۹, Ildefons Cerda, an engineer, presented his plan for a street grid to connect the old town with surrounding villages. His plan was unique in that it considered the living conditions of workers and the need for fresh air. The research aims to identify the main issues and opportunities for urban design in the district and to provide recommendations for improving urban design viability. Today, Barcelona is a successful urban area thanks to Cerda's work. A new plan could further improve the city by limiting vehicle traffic and reducing pollution, while also creating more urban spaces for people to socialize. The revolutionary urban texture applied as a grid plan by Ildefons Cerda divided the population equally into urban layers and allowed the city to breathe. It was unique in ensuring that each block had urban green areas within itself. However, with the rise of motor vehicles, the grid axes became densely populated and roads were dominated by them, leading to high levels of environmental pollution and noise. To achieve a healthy and livable city model, it is necessary to rethink the applied grid plan from within its own output idea in the Eixample region.An alternative solution to the block spaces reserved for green areas could be to construct underground car parks and use the surface area as public parks for recreational purposes. The original plan by Ildefon Cerda had designated these spaces between blocks for people to enjoy clean air and greenery, but unfortunately, some of these areas are not well-maintained and cannot be restored to their former glory. However, by transforming them into places for locals to have fun, relax and socialize, these areas can be revitalized. The Eixample district is currently facing a problem with heavy traffic and air pollution due to the large number of automobiles in the area. One possible solution would be to promote the use of electric vehicles and bicycles instead of cars and even consider pedestrianizing some of the streets to improve the overall atmosphere of the district. Opportunities identified include the potential for developing sustainable infrastructure and transportation systems, promoting community engagement in urban design, and leveraging technology to improve urban design processes. Overall, the study recommends a holistic approach to urban design that balances thepreservation of the district's heritage with the need for modernization and functionality.

کلیدواژه ها:

urban design ، urban area ، urban layers ، Barcelona's Eixample