Introduction

F. Bortheiry and A. Closa
The city and the urban world
Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Curs 2012-2013


 
Barcelona, from its earliest days, has been a dynamic and constant changing city. Its complex urban form is the result of hundreds of years of inhabitation and constantly changing planning and design practices.

Barceloneta, one of its most ancient seaside neighborhoods has also suffered from all these changes.

At the beginning it was a small fisherman’s district that slowly developed (in the nineteenth century) into an important industrial place with big factories which have now disappeared and turned into sports centers or other educational institutions. 

Now it is more known for its beach and its bars and restaurants which attract people from all places who want to come and enjoy all its leisure facilities, such as: good food, water sports or just chilling at the beach.

In what refers to its urbanistic planning, the first houses that were built were nothing compared to what we see today. They were detached with only one floor and access to two streets so that they had optimum light and ventilation. Over the years, this structure has disappeared and now we only find high buildings which have been constructed over the original ones, and that have been divided. That is why today they are known as “house quarters”.

With this essay, our aim is to show the development of the Barceloneta going through a quick view of how it was then and how it is now. The best way to understand its history is by going on a trip and exploring from the very inside of this district toward the beach, one by one all its historic places and also those modern buildings that offer its now modern identity.

Tour map:

 

o      0. Metro Barceloneta: History

o      1. Pl Poeta Boscà, 1: Market 

o      2. C/ Sant Miquel: House quarters

o      3. Platja Sant Sebastià: Bars (xiringuitos/merenderos)

o      4. Platja de Sant Sebastià : W Hotel (baths)

o      5. Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 25: Hospital del Mar (Somorrostro quarter)

o      6. Carrer Doctor Aiguader, 88: PRBB

o      7.Carrer Doctor Aiguader, 38-54:  Gas Natural Tower