Renewal Work Underway in Key Public Spaces

The El Besòs i el Maresme neighbourhood in Barcelona’s Sant Martí district has begun upgrading four public plazas to create accessible, intergenerational sports areas. The project, which started in September 2026, aims to expand opportunities for outdoor physical activity and strengthen community interaction. Work began at the basketball area of Pista Polideportiva Rambla Prim, where two petanque courts and two table tennis tables are being installed. The intervention also includes accessibility improvements to ensure inclusive use.

Phased Improvements Across Four Sites

The renewal will continue in phases across three additional locations. In November, a new outdoor fitness zone will be added to the football area of the same sports facility, featuring rubber-surfaced exercise equipment including an elliptical bike, an inclusive arm bike, and an abdominal bench. In December, upgrades will begin at Nova Plaça Maresme, where the existing fitness circuit will be expanded with four new machines, two table tennis tables, and a double basketball hoop with standard and junior-height baskets. The final phase, at Mare Nazaria March square, located between Carrer d’Alfons el Magnànim and Rambla Prim, will introduce a dance mirror, fitness machines for older adults, table tennis tables, and a 3x3 basketball court. The fitness area will include inclusive equipment such as a double chest press and a reclining bicycle.

  • Budget: €614,000
  • Timeline: Work ongoing, completion expected by January 2027
  • Focus: Accessibility, inclusion, intergenerational use

These improvements follow community consultations held in 2022 and are part of a broader district plan to promote healthy lifestyles and social cohesion. The spaces are all in high-traffic, central areas of the neighbourhood, including the area known as the Pistas Rojas.

Councilor Highlights Health and Social Benefits

David Escudé, councillor for Sant Martí, said the upgrades will modernise existing sports facilities and create new inclusive spaces for residents of all ages. He stressed that the investment links sport with public health and improved quality of life in the neighbourhood.

These spaces will not only support physical activity but also serve as hubs for community connection and intergenerational engagement.

The project aligns with the Ajuntament de Barcelona’s local development plan for El Besòs i el Maresme (2025–2028), which prioritises urban improvements based on resident input and social inclusion.

Primary sources: ajuntament.barcelona.cat, Ajuntament de Barcelona, barcelona.cat. Reported by barnadiario.com, Barna Diario.