Residents and traders in Girona’s Eixample district have voiced concerns about a significant increase in pigeon nests, known locally as paneroles, on building facades and public infrastructure along the Carrer de Sant Joan Baptista de la Salle. The issue has emerged amid ongoing city-led mobility initiatives, including temporary street closures for the European Mobility Week.
The affected stretch runs between the streets of Juli Garreta and Joan Maragall, near the Masmitjà School. As part of the 2026 European Mobility Week programme, the city council has closed this section to traffic from Thursday 21 to Friday 22 September, with the closure extended for 15 days to assess its environmental impact on the Eixample neighbourhood.
While promoting sustainable mobility, the Ajuntament (city council) has faced criticism over urban planning decisions in the area. Isabel Salamaña i Serra, former councillor for Environment and Mobility, acknowledged past challenges in balancing public space use, referencing the bicycle lane installation near the Masmitjà School, a move she described as accompanied by an “urban design disaster in terms of safety”.
Health and Safety Concerns Mount
Residents report that pigeon nesting has led to unsanitary conditions, with droppings accumulating on sidewalks and building entrances. Though not directly linked to the same location, broader concerns about urban decay and safety in Girona have been highlighted by ongoing issues at abandoned industrial sites, such as those on Carrer de Barcelona, where deteriorating structures and illegal occupation have raised public health alarms.
Local complaints include structural risks and waste accumulation, including hazardous materials like broken asbestos sheets, which have been observed in nearby derelict buildings. Neighbourhood associations covering around 90 families have formally denounced the state of these buildings, citing fire hazards and the risk of falls due to makeshift wall coverings used by unhoused occupants.
We’re seeing large amounts of waste dumped, creating an unhygienic zone. The situation is deteriorating,” said a spokesperson for the resident groups.
The Ajuntament has issued requirements to private owners to secure access points and implement safety measures at the abandoned sites, but enforcement remains inconsistent.
City’s Broader Urban Challenges
The Carrer de Sant Joan Baptista de la Salle is a residential and commercial corridor, with properties such as a 90 m² flat recently listed for €299,000 on pisos.com, reflecting the area’s desirability despite growing urban issues.
Meanwhile, the extended traffic closure aims to evaluate long-term improvements to air quality and pedestrian safety. The city council’s official programme, accessible via diaridegirona.cat, outlines the 15-day assessment period but does not detail specific metrics for success.
Residents and traders urge a coordinated response to both the pigeon infestation and broader urban maintenance, stressing that public space improvements must include hygiene and safety enforcement, not just traffic recalibration.
Reported by diaridegirona.cat, Isabel Salamaña i Serra, Josep Coll, pisos.com, cronicaglobal.elespanol.com, Eva Batlle.
