Development of new railway connections in Barcelona, Spain, dug in the ground a new tunnel route for the trains, emptying plenty of space above ground for something new and fresh in the heart of the city.
Winners of 2011 design competition in Spain – Alday Jover, RCR and West8 – suggested covering around 40 hectars of land with a “green lung” – La Segrera Linear Park or Park del Cami Comtal, a slim garden strip slicing through the city. Construction period is expected to take 14 months of work, when complete, the new diagonal axis will be the connection between Catalan Pyrenees, the seashore, and city itself, starting as a green track in the mountains, continuing as a Cami Comtal Park inside the city and ending up at the sea. Visitors would be able to enjoy shaded areas for pedestrians, bikers, and skaters while observing different neighborhoods of Sant Andreu and Sant Marti, El Clot Park, historical gardens of Ciutadella and installation of fountains through all park territory which represents Rec Comtal – the old historic system of city water supply.
One of the main messages of the La Segrera Linear Park is to bring some “slow” motion to the active modern urban city, keeping its historical identity and presenting the most optimum green connection between landscape and the city. At the same time Barcelona tends to be a nice host to its visitors leaving a good first impression, no matter where did guests arrive from – mountains, other European cities or sea, the green welcoming carpet will be printed in their memories.
