Present of the Association

This is a sweet moment for La Rambla, difficult times are behind them and now they can be observed with a better perspective. Mrs. Dolors Álvarez, coordinator of the Association, summarizes the entity's last years: "Sixteen years, and four presidents, following the Association's daily activities. During this time, I have had the opportunity and the

luck to closely witness the commitment level of a group of people -neighbors and shopkeepers- who have dedicated time and efforts to make La Rambla prosper. In my opinion, the Association has always maintained a dialoguing and creative nature with the different administrations with which matters must be negotiated, in order to analyze each situation and seek solutions. There are many examples. In the urban area, important challenges included: achieving the widening of sidewalks, the renovation of La Boqueria Market, the modernization of urban furniture, the renovation and modernization of newsstands, flower stall stops, pet shop stops, installing more lighting points along the promenade and on the sidewalks, insisting -a lot- on cleanliness, and many other tasks that would make an endless list. And all this without forgetting that La Rambla is Barcelona's great showcase and its hallmark.

A common concern of all presidents has been the comprehensive rehabilitation of buildings, whether for commercial use, hotels, offices, and especially for housing. In this regard, the presence of institutional buildings has been a positive factor in the urban recovery of La Rambla, but the shopkeepers' complicity in this same goal has been the driving force that has made it possible, as widely demonstrated by their participation in Procinova and the significant investments in improvements to adapt their establishments to the new market demands: likewise, a group of shopkeepers from the Association participated in sponsoring the curtain of the Gran Teatre del Liceu. From another point of view, the Association has actively participated in the city's major events like the Olympics, the campaign "Barcelona pónt guapa" and others.

The Association carries out an intense and constant program of activities. An important chapter is the promotion of commerce, as well as the campaigns for Christmas lighting and the specific activities for these holidays. In the cultural sphere, the Association has consolidated the International Mary Santpere Journalism Award, which has already reached its eighth edition, and the painting award "La Rambla", which is also in its eighth call. An initiative that has everyone's sympathy is the Lace Makers Exhibitions held on La Rambla, with representatives from all over Catalonia. Alongside these actions, the chapter on member services offered by the Association deserves special consideration, providing advice, technical support, and representation of the various groups to the administrations.

I do not want to forget the Honorary Ramblers, an award and recognition through which the Association values each year the efforts of citizens and entities that have stood out in their esteem for La Rambla, whether in the business, cultural, or social field.

I believe the Association's future lies in maintaining La Rambla as a commercial space, with the best services, a meeting place for leisure and culture, in line with a modern and dynamic city, and perhaps, when La Rambla is in the sights of new investors, the role of the Association will once again be to defend the values and personality that have remained as they were when it was founded".