Sant Cugat del Vallès is set to approve urban planning changes in 2026 for the Ca n'Ametller district, its last major developable area. The project includes 5,500 new homes, with 3,200 designated as affordable housing, and is expected to be completed around 2050.
The development covers approximately 85 hectares and will see the R8 railway line covered, creating a central avenue. An FGC and Rodalies interchange will also be built next to the Hospital General. While the full project is slated for 2050, the first buildings could appear from 2030.
Mayor Josep Maria Vallès announced the plans during a press conference. He was joined by Bernat Picornell, Deputy Mayor for Rights, City Dynamisation, Commerce, and Security; Àngel Pedrós, Councillor for Urban Planning; Francesc Duch, Councillor for Housing; and Agustí Serra, project coordinator and former Director General of Territorial Planning, Urban Planning, and Architecture for the Catalan government.
Expanding Housing and Connectivity
The current proposal expands on a 2022 plan, increasing the number of homes from 4,000 to 5,500. Of the 3,200 affordable homes, about 1,600 will be for rent. Mayor Vallès stated the goal is to "close Sant Cugat's growth while maintaining the city model" and "respond to the city's need for affordable housing." The 3,200 affordable homes in Ca n'Ametller will help the city reach a target of 15% affordable housing.
With an average occupancy of 2.5 residents per home, the urbanisation of Ca n'Ametller could see Sant Cugat's population grow by around 13,000 people. The new project adds 10 hectares to the previous plan, incorporating the Fontanals, Can Fontanals, Can Mates, Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya, and Can Cabassa sectors.
Infrastructure and Green Spaces
The first phase of construction will involve covering the R8 Renfe railway tracks. This area will become the district's central axis, featuring a 100-metre-wide avenue with dedicated spaces for public and road transport, as well as areas for commercial and residential use.
Developers will cover the cost of the railway line enclosure. The interchange, located near the Hospital General, is a joint responsibility of the Spanish Ministry of Transport and Mobility and the Catalan Ministry of Territory. The interchange project received €36 million in funding last October.
Ca n'Ametller will be structured around a large green infrastructure with three main axes: the new avenue over the R8, the extension of the Parc Central and Parc del Turó de Can Mates, and the continuation of the Guinardera stream. These three axes will converge in a 'Green Agora', where the FGC-Rodalies interchange will be located, providing strong public transport links for the district.
Sustainable Design and Innovation
The district will be organised into 'eco-islands', which are clusters of buildings and facilities with a central public green space. This design aims to encourage walking and cycling. The goal is for residents to access all basic services within a 15-minute walk, with significant land reserved for public facilities.
The new project also plans for an innovation hub, drawing inspiration from European examples such as Maria 01 in Helsinki, Station F in Paris, and OGR in Turin. This proposal, part of the BIVA initiative with Sant Cugat Empresarial, will focus on the biomedical sector but will also include other specialities.
