The Commission for Ecology, Urbanism, Mobility, and Housing has given initial approval to the Modification of the Metropolitan General Plan (MPGM) concerning the areas around Vilapicina and Mare de Déu de les Neus streets, as well as the former Cotxeres de Borbó. This proposal, covering over 27,500 m2 in the Nou Barris district, addresses a long-standing neighborhood demand to rectify an urban insecurity situation dating back to 1976.
The MPGM aims to highlight the neighborhood's historical fabric by removing obsolete restrictions, enabling the preservation and rehabilitation of existing homes. This includes the facades of some properties and the entirety of Vilapicina street bordering Espiell street.
Furthermore, the plan acknowledges consolidated green spaces and incorporates new public facilities and endowment housing. Regarding housing, the focus is on recognizing affected existing homes and generating new public housing supply.
The modification encompasses two distinct areas: the first, nearly 10,000 m2, comprises the block between Vilapicina, d’Arnau, and Mare de Déu de les Neus streets. The second, exceeding 17,500 m2, corresponds to a portion of the former Cotxeres de Borbó.
In the first area, beyond preserving original buildings and allowing for new housing construction, the project includes the creation of a new civic street. This thoroughfare would extend Aristòtil passage and Teide street, significantly improving pedestrian connectivity between Turó de la Peira Park and Álvaro Cunqueiro Square, contingent upon property owners' final decision.
The proposal for the second area involves consolidating much of the land as open spaces, maintaining a large part of the current Can Xiringoi gardens and Carmen Laforet Square as green zones. Additionally, approximately 1,400 m2 are reserved for a new public facility spanning 6,000 m2. This new construction is planned to house a municipal nursery school—the neighborhood's first—a children's center, and around sixty endowment housing units.
This initial approval is the result of intensive work by the municipal Government and the Nou Barris district, following numerous meetings with residents to reach a consensus. Once this procedural step is completed, the MPGM will be made available for public review and potential objections.
The modification stems from an urban planning impact established in 1976, which designated a significant portion of the historical fabric as green space without ever being implemented. This led to decades of stagnation and lack of renovation. Since 2021, feasibility and heritage value studies, promoted by residents and the Nou Barris district, have highlighted the historical and urban significance of the Vilapicina area.
