Following reforms to Via Laietana and La Rambla, merchants on Pelai Street in Barcelona feel their thoroughfare has been left behind in urban renewal. For this reason, the Pelai Centre i Rodalies Merchants Association, which brings together some forty establishments, has launched a campaign to promote the comprehensive redevelopment of the street and turn it into a new reference boulevard in the city center.
“"We agree that we must rethink Pelai and that it should be one of the great works of the next term."
The initiative's promoters are asking the Barcelona City Council to set a concrete timeline for starting the works. Ciutat Vella councilor, Albert Batlle, has shown his willingness, stating that the redevelopment of Pelai should “close the circle” of works in this area, which extends from Plaça Universitat to Passeig de Sant Joan, passing through Fontanella and Trafalgar.
The merchants' proposal includes a wide pedestrian sidewalk, with pergolas and green spaces, all on a single platform with one traffic lane for vehicles. Although the recreation resembles that of other pedestrianized streets, Gabriel Jené, president of Barcelona Oberta, clarified that “it is not a green axis proposal,” emphasizing respect for mobility and Pelai's importance as a connection between the Eixample and Ciutat Vella.
“"One of the prime commercial axes in the center of Barcelona cannot continue to convey a perception of a disordered and unfriendly thoroughfare."
The commercial entity reports that Pelai Street has suffered for years from “structural deficiencies” in public space, lighting, paving, urban comfort, and mobility management. Therefore, the proposed reform prioritizes accessibility for private vehicles and public transport, pedestrian comfort with climatic urban planning elements, efficient lighting and quality urban furniture, as well as orderly mobility and properly regulated loading and unloading.
Since 2024, the association has presented its proposal to the city council, through the districts of Ciutat Vella and the Eixample, as the street lies between both. Now, they are requesting a firm commitment from the City Council, including a public reform timeline, the creation of a technical working group, and the drafting of an ambitious project agreed upon with the local community.
