Olot Mayor Agustí Arbós presented his vision for the city's present and future at the “The Olot I Want” conference on 11 May 2026. Speaking to 350 attendees at Sala El Torín, Arbós emphasised his commitment to “rebuilding the pride we feel for our city” and working towards “new times and new horizons with actions that will transform Olot.”
Security remains a primary challenge, according to Arbós, who stated it is “the basis of coexistence and the main concern residents have conveyed to me when we visit neighbourhoods.” While criminal incidents have increased across Catalonia, Olot has seen a 5.6% decrease over the past year. The mayor highlighted the addition of municipal police officers, noting that Olot will have around 60 agents for the first time, working with the Mossos d'Esquadra. He also called for more Mossos d'Esquadra officers to be visible on the streets.
Arbós also mentioned the establishment of an office to combat problematic squatting, which prevented over 30 incidents last year. He confirmed that efforts to evict and prevent occupations are continuing, attributing success to strong neighbourhood collaboration. Other measures include a new surveillance service for municipal buildings and amendments to the Public Highway and Coexistence Ordinance, which will increase penalties for uncivil behaviour. “From now on, we will be more forceful with these behaviours. Because, in Olot, whoever does it, pays for it,” Arbós stated. The mayor also praised the work of the Registry Office and inspections aimed at preventing fraud.
Addressing Housing Challenges
Access to housing is another critical area, Arbós explained. He announced two clear strategies: the Neighbourhood Plan, which includes a regeneration project for the Old Town expected to create over 500 homes. “We have the funding and a very good project for the Old Quarter,” Arbós said. The second strategy involves developing 80 to 90 homes near the Brigade for young couples who work with the elderly. He acknowledged that these initiatives are a start but are not enough, urging private developers to help by building new homes, but “not just any way.”
Regarding the economic model, Arbós noted that while Olot and La Garrotxa have some of the lowest unemployment rates in Catalonia, “we must improve the quality of jobs.” He revealed plans for a new Vocational Training pact involving businesses and educational agents. This pact aims to align training with the real needs of the productive sector, providing specific training to support an economic model with higher added value.
Arbós also stressed the importance of maintaining and promoting the use of Catalan and supporting local businesses. He encouraged residents to buy locally whenever possible, highlighting that local shops create jobs, pay taxes in Olot, and bring life to many neighbourhoods. “With this desire to maintain the essence of our city, we must also be able to help and maintain our commerce; the local shop,” he added.
Demographic Growth and Future Projects
The mayor addressed demographic growth, stating he has urged the Generalitat government to provide more resources for the city's schools. “This academic year, 320 students have already arrived in Olot with live enrolment... services are saturated. We should not be afraid to say aloud that this country must stop its demographic growth,” he remarked.
The second part of the conference focused on future projects. Arbós mentioned the Olot bypass, calling for the Generalitat to start construction next year to remove traffic, especially heavy vehicles, from the city centre. Another priority is investing in new facilities and services to modernise the city. “Very soon we will open a new Primary Care Centre where we will concentrate paediatric services and which will serve 12,000 inhabitants,” Arbós explained.
Investments include €1.5 million for sports facilities, such as new changing rooms for Sant Roc, Morrot, and Sant Pere Màrtir, a new gymnastics pavilion, and a new roof and parquet for the Pollancreda pavilion. The construction of a new nursery school, a new institute-school to relocate Greda, and the expansion of Escola del Morrot are also underway. For the elderly, Arbós announced plans to “promote new services with more residential places in the old Hospital, more day centre places in Montsacopa, and more serviced housing for the elderly.”
In terms of security, Arbós stated that the Operational Unit would be doubled, and the Municipal Police would receive more devices and technology. Efforts to tackle occupations will continue. Other ongoing initiatives include designing a new waste collection and street cleaning model, improving public transport, and undertaking comprehensive river restoration projects, such as the work on Illa de Mates.
Community Involvement
The conference was introduced by Yasmina Cívico and Rosa Ramos, president and vice-president of the Sant Roc Neighbourhood Association. Arbós expressed his pleasure at their presence, saying, “I believe Sant Roc is a good example of the Olot we want. A neighbourhood built by its residents, with a strong sense of belonging.” He praised the many active neighbourhood associations and residents who work selflessly to improve their areas daily. Arbós concluded by saying, “There are places where you live, and then there are places you feel. And for me, and I am sure for many of you, Olot is that, a place we feel. I am from Olot.”
