The current state of the old town, delimited between the Muralla, the Vic road, Sant Domènec, and the Cardener river, has been described as a “complicated, ugly, and degraded headache.” This situation stems from a lack of long-term global projects and political and private indifference over the years.
The biggest challenge is what we will do with the vulnerable people living there while all this is tidied up, and how we will encourage new residents.
Historically, the center has suffered significant devastation. First, by the action of the Bourbon troops in 1713 during the War of the Spanish Succession, and later by the Napoleonic army in 1811 during the Peninsular War. Added to this is the neglect of the local bourgeoisie and the urban planning decisions of the 20th century that demolished “genuine architectural gems.”
The current challenge goes beyond simple rehabilitation, as it is considered necessary to “demolish and open up space” to improve the quality of life. Although there is an injection of twenty-five million euros, Councillor Alonso stressed that these funds are not the definitive solution, but rather require a sustained commitment from the Manresa society.
