Tips From Barcelona’s Green Urban Planning

Every year, at the onset of winter, India’s capital city is engulfed in a haze strong enough to leave its residents homebound. On 12 November, 2024, the air quality index (AQI) reached an alarming 1,200, with new reports warning that breathing in Delhi during this time is the same as smoking over 40 cigarettes a day!

“The reality is that this region actually has a high level of pollution all through the year,” says Vimlendu Jha, an environmentalist and the founder of Swechha, a youth-run NGO that focuses on environmental issues and education. “The baseline for pollution in Delhi-NCR is high throughout the year, almost always above 250.”

Unfortunately, Delhi is not the only city battling pollution. The Indian subcontinent, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, hosts more than half of the world’s most polluted cities, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s safe limit of 50 µg/m³ for particulate matter (a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air). “We cannot have private solutions to public problems,” Jha says. “Air pollution can only be solved if there is a collective solution found to this, not necessarily by citizens alone, but by the state.”

A cricket player on a field obscured by heavy smog and air pollution, reducing visibility. — *“The baseline for pollution in Delhi-NCR is high throughout the year, almost always above 250.” Vimlendu Jha* *(Representational image)*

India’s government has made some strides in addressing pollution, focusing on stubble burning, vehicular pollution, and construction dust, but coal-burning power plants continue to operate without proper regulatory measures. “The indiscriminate blame or cause attributed to stubble burning is one of the most visible issues,” Jha notes, but he adds, “Stubble burning only pollutes for two or three weeks, and its contribution to pollution throughout the year ranges from 0 to 30 percent. Of course, it is a major contributor and needs to stop as well.”

As the country struggles with pollution, looking at cities that have successfully tackled the issue could provide solutions. Barcelona, which has greatly improved its air quality, offers valuable lessons for Indian cities.

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Pedestrian-friendly ‘Superblocks’

One of Europe’s most polluted cities throughout the late 20th century, Barcelona has managed to reduce its air pollution with the help of progressive urban planning, transportation reforms, and green initiatives. In 2019, Barcelona’s mean annual PM particulate matter concentration was 17 μg/m³, exceeding the 10 μg/m³ limit. Today, their real-time PM2.5 level is 6 µg/m³.

The measures taken by the city have lowered the levels of particulate matter and made it more livable and sustainable. One of the most innovative strategies in Barcelona’s fight against air pollution is the ‘superblock’ concept.

This urban planning approach divides city streets into octagonal blocks. Inside these blocks, only pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport are allowed, while cars can only use the outer streets. This reduces traffic, lowers vehicle emissions, and improves air quality.

Aerial view of Barcelona showcasing its superblocks, with green spaces and pedestrian-friendly streets within the octagonal city blocks. — *Superblocks are octagonal city blocks for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport, with cars restricted to outer streets* *(Representational image)*

“One of the main causes of air pollution that contribute almost 50% are vehicular emissions, industrial activities, construction, garbage burning, and emissions from homes,” Jha explains.

In Barcelona, each superblock covers an area of 400×400 metres, which is larger than a city block but smaller than a neighbourhood. The goal is to create more space for public use, help biodiversity, promote sustainable transportation, and even encourage social interactions.

The concept of superblocks was introduced in Barcelona as part of its 2013-2018 Urban Mobility Plan, which aimed to redo 120 intersections. Currently, the city is working on redesigning one-third of the streets in the L’Eixample district, originally planned by Ildefons Cerdà. Starting in 2022, the city is focusing on remodelling 21 streets by 2030.

Building a reliable EV infrastructure

Another key component of Barcelona’s strategy is its focus on electric vehicles (EVs). The city has worked hard to promote the use of electric vehicles by investing in EV infrastructure, even offering incentives for EV owners. The city has installed over 1,000 charging stations, for electric cars and given tax breaks and free parking for EV owners.

The city has also introduced electric buses and taxis into its public transportation network, further reducing emissions from traditional fuel-powered vehicles. This is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, which aims to “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.”

To further promote cleaner transportation, the city has been expanding its network of cycling and pedestrian lanes, with over 1,000 kilometres of these pathways now under construction. Public bike-sharing systems have also been rolled out across the city, with 400 stations available to provide easy access to fume-free mobility options.

“Communities need to start demanding solutions,” says Jha. “We demand broader roads and better flyovers, we will have to demand clean air from our political class.”

The Spanish city has also placed significant emphasis on public transportation. Barcelona’s extensive public transit system, including buses, trams, and metro lines, has made it easier for people to travel without relying on private cars. The city operates a number of initiatives to encourage people to use public transport and adopt cleaner alternatives.

A tram in Barcelona traveling along a city street, part of the city's sustainable public transit network. — *Barcelona’s public transit, including trams, promotes cleaner and car-free travel options (Representational image)*

For example, during times of high pollution, the city increases public transport services by 10% and offers discounted ‘T-aire’ multi-ride tickets to encourage people to use them. They also have schemes like the ‘T Verda’ programme, which offers a three-year free transit pass to people who scrap old, polluting vehicles and commit to not purchasing another — directly addressing emissions from private vehicles.

As air quality improves in the city, Barcelona is observing socio-economic benefits. There has been a 30% rise in commercial activity, especially in areas with reduced vehicle traffic and more pedestrian-friendly zones.

Expanding green spaces for cleaner air

Barcelona has also focused on urban greening, with a goal of increasing its green spaces. They plan on adding more than 160 hectares of green space by 2030, which will help improve air quality, absorb carbon emissions, and manage the urban heat island effect. Green spaces like parks, gardens, and tree-lined streets provide a natural buffer to pollution. The “Trees for Living” initiative, part of the Barcelona Tree Master Plan, aims to increase the city’s tree cover and better its natural environment.

As Jha aptly puts it, “Indeed, it [air pollution] is no more just an environmental crisis, it’s a public health crisis. There is enough empirical data and research that talks about the grave public health impact it has. We cannot fix the problem through individual efforts like air purifiers or the luxury of leaving the city. We need a collective solution.”

According to Endolla Barcelona, the city’s electromobility network, the use of EVs prevented the emission of 8,989 tons of CO2 in 2023. Barcelona is leading the way in sustainable urban development with improved air quality. The city sets a global benchmark for cleaner cities and shows how sustainable urban planning can simultaneously improve public health, economic vitality, and environmental health.

Edited by Arunava Banerjee