Barcelona’s famed—and sometimes infamous—La Rambla is due for a big makeover, although how it will end up looking is still in the planning stage.
The mile-long tree-lined avenue that runs through Barcelona’s historic area from the Columbus Monument at the port to the Plaça Catalunya is one of the city’s famed sights. It’s also congested beyond belief, and is also noted for pickpockets as well as for flower and animal vendors and its proximity to the famed Boqueria food market.
It’s estimated that 100 million people a year pass along it, including hordes of tourists, who are accused of making it impossible for locals. The Deputy Mayor for urban planning, Janet Sanz, told a local paper that “The problem is not that there are tourists, but only tourists.” In many cases, local stores have given way to a long succession of souvenir stands.
The city is planning an international design competition to create what the local council member called “an instruction manual to transform La Rambla.” In the meantime, the city has passed legislation to remove the stalls of caged animals and birds, and to shorten the length of kiosks to provide more walking room.
