Redevelopment of Passeig de Sant Joan. Phase 2

Description of project by Lola Domènech

Inside the urban estructure of streets of 20m, Cerdà (1859) planned a few principal routes of 50m of section, with central road and sidewalks with double alignment of trees. St Joan's Walk is one of them.

The new proposal of remodeling of this principal route suggests two fundamental aims, prioritizing the pedestrian use of the Paseo and turning it into the new green urban corridor as far as the Parque de la Ciutadella.

In order to obtain both aims, the project has developed considering three basic criteria of urbanization:

Firstly, it is key to guarantee the continuity of the section along the route. The new section is symmetrical and it extends the current sidewalks, with 12,5m, to 17m wide, keeping the centenary existing trees (plataneros) and accompanying them with two new alignments of trees. The continuity of the tracing is fundamental to guarantee the functional clarity of the axis along his route.

Secondly, it is fundamental to adapt the urban space to the different uses. The new offer must receive the diversity of uses of the urban space making possible his good cohabitation. 17m of sidewalk are organized so that, 6m remain free for the pedestrian use, other 11m, under the wooded zone, are used as lounges (benchs, infantile games and bars). The studies demonstrated, in his moment, that the original road was oversized. For this reason, it has been possible to annotate the space of traffic and to turn it into a zone of movement.

The reduction of the traffic rails, the living zones under the woodland and the segregation of the bicycle rail are key aspects of an urban remodeling that prioritizes the pedestrian use without resigning to functionality.

Finally, it is a fundamental premise of the project to improve Paseo de St Joan as new green urban and sustainable corridor as far as Parque de la Ciutadella. For this reason, two new alignments of trees join on both sides of the existing woodland, shaping on this way an area of natural shadow that will take in the lounges, infantile games and bars. The incorporation of a system of autochthonous shrub accompanying this woodland will help to prosper the biodiversity and the subsoil.

To guarantee the sustainability of this new axis, it is necessary to be sure of good behavior of the subsoil and therefore, assume the challenge of incorporating a system of mixed pavements in the woodland area. The system is composed by storm drain bases, prefabricated pavements with opened joint, biodegradable dividers and stabilizers of recycled plastic shaping the mixed pavement (green or of sauló stabilized) in living zones and terraces. This technical solution allows to guarantee the stability and the accessibility of this pavement at the same time as it contributes to the minimal maintenance.

The technology is present in this project, nevertheless it does not try to be the protagonist. Some of the most relevant technical aspects are: drain pavements, recycled subbases, automatic irrigation system, phreatic water use, lighting led, control, wifi.

With the new proposal, Paseo de St Joan has recovered his social value as urban space, considering at the same time key aspects of biodiversity and sustainability.

Text.- Lola Domènech.