This initiative, promoted by the city council, seeks not only to resolve an orthographic issue but also to delve into the neighborhood's history and foster an open dialogue about its identity. The consultation follows years of informal discussions among residents and key neighborhood associations.
“"We have decided to open this participatory process because we want the residents themselves to define the identity of their neighborhood. For years, there has been an informal debate about whether the name should be spelled with an 'n' or an 'm', and now we are providing a formal, transparent, and open space for it."
The councilor emphasized that the municipal government aims to acknowledge this public concern and transform it into an opportunity for dialogue and community cohesion. The goal is for the process to strengthen the sense of belonging, placing the residents' voices at the center of the decision.
The neighborhood's history dates back to the 18th century, with the annexation of Sant Andreu de Palomar to Barcelona. Originally a forested area that became farmland, the land was urbanized. In 1919, the City Council approved the name of Verdun promenade, in homage to a First World War battle involving thousands of Catalan volunteers.
The name was officially formalized with a final 'n' during the Francoist regime. Following neighborhood demands for basic services, the Verdun neighborhood was officially integrated into Nou Barris in 1984. However, old documents suggest that residents initially used the form Verdum, with an 'm'.
