Valls City Council has submitted an ambitious €25 million project to the Catalan government's 2025-2029 Neighbourhood and Towns Plan, aiming to revitalise its historic centre. This record investment, the maximum eligible under the Generalitat's grant programme, includes 28 actions focusing on socio-community initiatives, ecological transition, and urban transformation.
The council expects to secure €14.4 million (57.8%) directly from the Neighbourhood Plan, with an additional €6.2 million (24.7%) from the city council's own funds. Other public subsidies will provide €2.2 million (9%), and third-party contributions, including entities, businesses, and cooperatives, will add €2.1 million.
The proposal expands the definition of the historic centre beyond the old walled area. It now includes the Portal Nou zone and the first expansions from the 18th and 19th centuries around the walls. This broader scope encompasses key entry points like the Tarragona road and Sant Francesc gate, streets such as Candela and Violeta, the areas around the Barri Vell, Sant Josep, and Sant Benet car parks, Paborde and Miralcamp, the Teatre Principal, and the Vapor de Maó and Raval de Filadors areas.
Social and Community Initiatives
The project prioritises 11 socio-community proposals designed to reduce social inequalities, promote coexistence, gender equity, health, sport, culture, language, and support local economic and commercial sectors. Key initiatives include an integrated socio-health service for vulnerable groups and a women's reception, recovery, and empowerment space.
Social revitalisation projects, driven by the Valls Comunalitat, feature a new sports club for the neighbourhood, a community kitchen service, and a care system. The plan also strengthens family and community programmes, expands the Espai Jove with new services, and proposes new uses for the Civic Centre as a hub for cohesion and citizen services. Over €620,000 is allocated to local commerce revitalisation, including activities, programmes, and grants for business premises renovations.
Ecological Transition Efforts
Seven proposals focus on ecological transition policies, climate emergency action, green infrastructure, and the circular economy. A significant project involves the medieval Sant Francesc wall, which will be restored and transformed into a new green entrance to the historic centre. The Neighbourhood Plan allocates €2.8 million for this, completing the Sant Francesc wall recovery and continuing works already underway since March in the Portal de Llobets and Sant Sebastià areas, fully funded by Next Generation funds.
Adjacent to the wall, the plan advances the 'Porta de Sant Francesc' project, based on a proposal from the Rovira i Virgili University's Urban Research Centre of Camp. This project will reform the city and historic centre entrance, calm traffic in front of the Sant Francesc church, and connect it with the unique green area of the Catllar stream. Other ecological transition initiatives include remodelling areas like the Barri Vell car park and Teatre Principal, traffic calming, expanding the Comunalitat's 'reÚtil' project, and municipal recycling campaigns.
Urban Improvements and Equipment
The plan includes 10 urban planning and equipment proposals, focusing on improvements to squares, streets, and the overall urban space. A notable equipment project is the ongoing rehabilitation of the historic Ca Padró building, which will house the Robert Gerhard Municipal School of Music on Carrer de la Cort.
Urban improvements are planned for 13 streets and squares in the historic centre. €1.4 million will improve the entrance to Valls via the Tarragona road, a main city access. Another €2.8 million is allocated for street urbanisation in five areas within the old town: Carrers de Sant Antoni and Mossos d'Esquadra, Plaça de les Garrofes and Plaça de la Fusta, Carrers d'en Bosc and d'en Gassó, part of the 'Espina de Peix' (Carrers Sant Sebastià, Figuereta, dels Bous, and surrounding squares), and Carrer de la Cort. On Carrer de la Cort, accessibility from the Sant Antoni wall will improve with the renovation of the Escales de la Peixateria, expanding into an adjacent plot. The plan also includes improvements to the Casteller Museum's uses and surroundings, with demolition and urbanisation in the Sant Oleguer – Sant Antoni area and new stairs providing access to the museum's roof.
Building Rehabilitation and Future Steps
A key part of the Neighbourhood Plan is building rehabilitation, with €4.5 million allocated. This will increase current grant funding sixfold, enabling work on approximately 80 homes. The project will cover 60% of costs and be open to individuals, developers, cooperatives, and other private projects. The plan also includes grants to improve home accessibility.
The Valls City Council submitted this project on 13 October 2025. The Generalitat's assessment and subsequent decisions on funding are expected to shape the future development of Valls' historic centre for years to come.
