Half a century ago, a resident moved a highway toll booth to found the El Poblet-Marianao neighborhood association, setting it up in the current Generalitat square. Names like Carmen Pamplona, Sebastián Gavilán, Manuel Luna, Josep Fabregat, Antoni López, Xavier Padrós, Luis Carrasco, and Miguel Márquez have marked the history of this entity, currently chaired by Rafael García.
Our objective has been, is, and always will be the defense of the neighborhood.
Currently, the association, which has about 800 members, is immersed in two major battles: health and culture. Regarding healthcare, they are confident that construction of the new neighborhood health center, with a planned investment of 12 million euros, will begin this year. The second priority objective is the construction of the long-awaited Marianao library, which will have an area of 1,650 square meters distributed over two floors.
“"We have not been able to attract young people, nor people aged 40 or 50 who should currently be leading the neighborhood movement."
The current demands recall the struggles of the seventies, when the entity was founded. At that time, the fight for culture, education, and health was the central nerve of the association. The year 1978 was particularly demanding, with an education strike that led to the construction of the Gaudí school. Bulletins from that era already urged neighbors to "complain and claim their rights" for better healthcare.
This neighborhood vigor extends to the region. The Federation of Neighborhood Associations of Baix Llobregat regrets that their work does not sufficiently transcend public conversation. Its president, Julián Carrasco, has announced that they will participate in the CONFAV (Confederation of Neighborhood Associations of Catalonia) meeting to develop a roadmap for decent and affordable housing.
