Safety concerns as homeless people sleep on La Sagrera library ledge

Barcelona City Council is investigating architectural solutions to prevent people from climbing the building's facade.

Generic image of a concrete architectural overhang on a modern building with cardboard and personal belongings.
IA

Generic image of a concrete architectural overhang on a modern building with cardboard and personal belongings.

The management of La Sagrera-Marina Clotet library on Josep Soldevila street has notified Barcelona City Council about individuals climbing the building to sleep on an exterior ledge.

Local residents in the Sant Andreu district report that this situation has been occurring since 2022. During the day, items such as cardboard, clothing, and water jugs are the only visible signs of those who climb the walls to find shelter on the architectural overhang.
The library's acting director, Francisco Cobo, raised the issue due to safety risks. In response, the local district has commissioned a study to find ways to prevent climbing while respecting the building's original design.

"Street teams from municipal Social Services are monitoring the individuals sleeping on the streets."

Sant Andreu District · Official Spokesperson
This incident highlights the broader issue of homelessness in Barcelona, where the Arrels Foundation estimates that approximately 2,000 people are currently living on the streets.