1. Architectural Diversity: Beyond the famous works of Antoni Gaudí, such as the Sagrada Família and Park Güell, Barcelona is home to a lesser-known architectural style called "Modernisme" that can be found in buildings like the Hospital de Sant Pau and Casa Amatller, showcasing intricate designs and vibrant colors. 2. Underground River: Beneath the bustling streets of Barcelona flows the "Bach de Muntaner," an underground river that is part of a network of waterways that once served the city. While mostly forgotten, it symbolizes the city's historical relationship with water management and urban development. 3. The Ghost Metro Station: Barcelona has a ghost metro station called "Lesseps" that was never opened to the public. Although it was constructed in the 1970s, it remains unused and is a fascinating piece of the city's transportation history, often sparking curiosity among locals and urban explorers.
Barcelona's housing market is facing significant challenges in 2025. The city has approximately 794,272 residential units, with a growing demand for housing, especially in the luxury segment. Property prices have been steadily increasing, with a 9.8% rise in the luxury market compared to 2023. The average price in Barcelona city reached €4,561 per square meter. Regarding ownership, about 38.5% of households in Barcelona are rentals, while 61.5% are owner-occupied. The rental market has seen substantial price increases, with rents rising by 68% over the past decade. House prices have also increased by 38% during the same period. Public and social housing play a limited role in Barcelona's housing market. The public housing stock represents only 1.9% of the total housing stock, with approximately 12,300 apartments managed by the municipal government. The city plans to add 4,500 new social housing units in the coming years. Cooperative housing, known as cohousing, is an emerging alternative. The city promotes this model by offering 75-year surface rights to cooperatives for building or renovating properties. Despite efforts to increase affordable housing options, Barcelona continues to grapple with a housing crisis, characterized by rising prices and limited availability of affordable units for residents.
Barcelona's current administration is actively addressing the housing crisis through several initiatives aimed at increasing affordable and sustainable housing. The city has set ambitious targets, including creating 20% social housing over the next 20 years and doubling the social housing stock within 10 years. Key programs and activities include: 1. Inclusionary zoning: Requiring 30% affordable housing in existing city fabric and 40% in new developments. 2. Public housing production: Scaling up council housing through the Barcelona Housing Authority (IMHAB). 3. Building acquisition: Implementing a strategy to purchase existing private buildings, investing €190 million to acquire 1,600 housing units. 4. Habitatge Metròpolis Barcelona (HMB): A public-private partnership aiming to construct 4,500 affordable rental homes within 6 years. 5. WikiHousing project: Collaborating to build sustainable, affordable homes for young people through co-design and self-build processes. 6. Superblock plan: Combining urban greening with affordable housing development to enhance sustainability and livability. 7. Climate shelters: Creating a network of cool spaces during hot weather, integrated with housing initiatives. 8. Anti-gentrification measures: Implementing policies to control rental prices and prevent displacement in areas becoming more attractive due to urban improvements. These diverse approaches demonstrate Barcelona's commitment to creating more affordable and sustainable housing while addressing social equity concerns.
Housing cooperatives play an increasingly significant role in Barcelona's housing landscape, offering an alternative to traditional ownership and rental models. The city actively promotes cooperative housing as a means to address the housing crisis and provide affordable, non-speculative housing options. Barcelona City Council supports cohousing through various initiatives: 1. Creation of a cooperative housing committee within the Barcelona Social Housing Board 2. Public tenders for municipal sites allocated to cohousing projects 3. Leasing public land to cooperatives for long-term use (75-90 years) 4. Providing grants and subsidies to support cooperative housing projects The city aims to increase its public housing stock while maintaining public ownership of land and preventing speculation. Cooperative housing projects in Barcelona emphasize community living, shared spaces, and environmental sustainability. Notable cooperative housing projects in Barcelona include: 1. La Borda: A pioneering project in the Sants neighborhood, built on leased public land 2. Princesa 49: One of the first projects by Sostre Cívic, located in the Born neighborhood Sostre Cívic, a prominent housing cooperative in Catalonia, has been instrumental in promoting the "right-to-use" model and advocating for cooperative housing. The organization aims to have 10% of Catalonia's homes in right-to-use cooperatives within the next 20-30 years. Barcelona's support for cooperative housing demonstrates its commitment to innovative, community-driven solutions to address housing affordability and accessibility.
