Case Study: Carrer del Consell de Cent

Feb 1

In Barcelona’s L'Eixample district, Carrer del Consell de Cent recently transformed from a 2 and 3-lane street to a single lane pedestrianized space, known as a “living street”.

This case study documents that transformation through photos at 5 locations, over time.

Carrer del Consell de Cent & Rambla de Catalunya, 2018 and 2024

Photo of Carrer del Consell de Cent near Rambla de Catalunya, comparing 2018 and 2024. 2018 is a 3-lane one-way street with curbs and some outdoor dining. 2024 is a single-lane, curbs removed, planters, benches, and additional outdoor dining.

Carrer del Consell de Cent & Carrer d'Enric Granados, 2018 and 2024

Photo of the intersection of Carrer del Consell de Cent and Carrer d'Enric Granados, comparing 2018 and 2024. 2018 is a 2-lane street with bike lane. 2024 is a plaza, curbs removed, large planters in center, and benches added.

Carrer del Consell de Cent & Carrer de Roger de Llúria, 2018 and 2024

Photo of Carrer del Consell de Cent near Carrer de Roger de Llúria, comparing 2018 and 2024. 2018 is a 3-lane one-way street with curbs. 2024 is a single-lane, no curbs, new planters, people biking, with lots of outdoor dining.

Carrer del Consell de Cent & Carrer d'Aribau, 2018 and 2024

Photo of the intersection of Carrer del Consell de Cent and Carrer d'Aribau, comparing 2018 and 2024. 2018 is a 2-lane street. 2024 is a plaza, no curbs, large planters in center, and outdoor dining added.

Carrer del Consell de Cent & Rambla de Catalunya, 2022 and 2024

Photo of Carrer del Consell de Cent near Rambla de Catalunya, comparing 2022 and 2024. 2022 is a 1-lane one-way street with pedestrianied lane. 2024 has no curbs, with planters, benches, and additional outdoor dining.

Intermediate photos from 2022

The photos above demonstrate the transformation between 2018 and 2024. In 2022, many of these locations were in transition. The photos below from 2022 demonstrate a more modest street redesign, that still accomplishes a single lane street with increased public space for people.