The La Barceloneta neighborhood in Barcelona was labeled the most gentrified in Spain, according to a December report by the Centre for Demographic Studies at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). Despite the negative connotations—such as the disappearance of local businesses and resident displacement—neighbors are actively resisting this singular definition.
“"We are a territory with a lot of history. We are the first neighborhood that emerged from the medieval walls. We have a birth date; few neighborhoods can say the same. We are from February 1753."
Martínez, a lifelong resident, points to a “perfect storm” of speculation and inadequate public investment, noting that the number of tourist flats skyrocketed from around 200 to 1,500 between 2012 and 2014, affecting up to 40% of the housing stock. He criticizes both the administrations of Xavier Trias and Ada Colau for failing to curb the proliferation.
“"We are prostituting our city, in our neighborhood. These businesses do not bring wealth. Only four people benefit: those who have illegal tourist flats or those who have slaves working as waiters or in 24-hour supermarkets."
Residents, who publish the magazine Essència Barceloneta, emphasize that the neighborhood is much more than “the drunk tourist who has had their bag stolen.” They warn that if the city relies solely on tourism, Barcelona risks becoming a “ghost city” when the trend ends, stressing the need to support small businesses and community life.
