The layout of paseo de St Joan as an important 50m boulevard was first laid down by Ildefons Cerdà in his Ensanche project, approved in 1859.
The new remodelling proposal sets two basic objectives: to give priority to the pedestrian use of the boulevard and turn it into a new urban green zone extending right up to Ciutadella park. In order to achieve these objectives the project has adopted three fundamental urban planning criteria:
. to guarantee the continuity of the section along the length of the boulevard. The new section is symmetrical and extends the width of the current pavements from 12.5m to 17m, maintaining the century old trees and accompanying them with two new rows of trees. . to adapt the urban space to different uses. The 17m of pavement have been organised in such a way that 6m are allocated to a pedestrian pavement whilst the remaining 11m under the rows of trees are for recreational uses (benches, children's play areas and bar terraces). The new proposal reduces the number of traffic lanes, creates leisure zones under the trees and segregates the bicycle lane. . to promote the passeig de St Joan as a new and sustainable urban green zone. In order to achieve this, two new rows of trees will be planted on both sides of the existing century old trees to create an area of natural shade that will accommodate the new recreational zones. The treatment of the soil with mixed pavements and the automatic watering system that uses phreatic water are key to ensuring substrata drainage that will guarantee the survival of the vegetation.
With this new proposal the Passeig de St Joan has won back its social value as an urban space that provides a variety of requested uses and functions whilst also addressing key aspects of biodiversity and sustainability. This street’s urban transformation has enabled us to revitalise its commercial life and recreational uses, whilst at the same time retrieving its historical value as a main boulevard that continues right up to Ciutadella park.
