CREUETA DE COLL PARK (BARCELONA)                                                                                            JUNE 2013
BLURRING THE LINES BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE PARK

The proposal looks at the limits of inner-city neighbourhoods in contact with some of the few untouched green spaces of the city. Through the creation of new urban corridors which connect isolated areas of neighbourhoods with hard-to-reach green spaces, the quality of life of inhabitants can be improved and provide them with a richer connection with these few remaining diverse natural habitats.

The complex topography of this particular area of Barcelona, with its tall buildings and narrow claustrophobic streets, contrasts the panorama seen from the unique green space sitting above it on Creueta de Coll Hill. It is hoped that interventions here can help people to forge a new relationship with their park and eliminate the barriers which prevent it from being an integral part of the community.

In the early phases of the project unused land and plots previously occupied by low density buildings in disrepair were highlighted, and where they intersected with the most important existing arteries of the neighbourhood they were replaced by passageways and new spaces linking them to the park. These passageways will give access to residents of all ages to their unique park. Escalators, lifts and steps ease the climb up from the dense neighbourhood below and tree lined walkways, new squares and added greenery filter vegetation into the heart of the neighbourhood. The proposal of new public and private amenities are dotted along these new green corridors and encourage the use of the new spaces whilst providing citizens with services that were previously hard to reach.