Urban planning
Since our foundation, Amics de La Rambla has paid special attention to the urban side of the Passeig, always vigilant in the conservation of all the characteristic elements of La Rambla, attentive to new developments and involving ourselves in the supervision of all the improvement works being carried out.
Under the presidency of Amadeu Bagués in the late 60s, for example, the Association requested the remodeling of the facades of the palaces of La Virreina and Marques de Comillas (currently Palau Moja), of the church of Betlem and of the Liceu.
In the 70s, Amics de La Rambla led the protest against Mayor Porcioles who wanted to move the Boqueria Market. In the 80s, the Association promoted the rationalization of traffic on the Passeig, and the introduction of open spaces and gardens in the area. The impact of the Olympic Games lasted for several years and, as could not be otherwise, La Rambla increased even more its popularity. In this stage, the project of Port Vell was materialized, which was supposed to extend La Rambla to the Moll d'Espanya, where the commercial and leisure center, Maremagnum, was planned to open, integrating as an active member of the Association. The footbridge is named "La Rambla del Mar."
The proactivity of the Association has continued steadily to this day, achieving important challenges such as widening sidewalks, remodeling the Boqueria Market, modernizing urban furniture, installing more light points, preserving the central Passeig's cast iron street lamps, remodeling and modernizing newsstands, bird and flower stands, optimizing cleanliness, or more recently, the remodeling of Plaça Gardunya, the Liceu and Drassanes metro stations, the pacification of traffic, installation of public restrooms, repainting of road signage, among other issues.
To achieve all these goals, the Association has relied on the complicity of its members. For this reason, a system of sectorial meetings has been devised in which issues of interest are discussed with those involved. This always allows having first-hand information, transferring it to municipal and regional political authorities to act more quickly on the problem, if necessary, and find solutions that are most appropriate for the majority.
From the Urban Planning board of the Association, the service of management of street occupation licenses is also offered and collaborates with the City Council in drafting District Planning Plans and defends the interests of groups such as terrace owners.
