The district of Sant Martí, in Barcelona, is taking important steps towards the preservation of local commerce and the relaxation of its inhabitants, through a new and ambitious Uses Plan. This plan not only seeks to protect local commerce, but also to respond to the coexistence between entertainment businesses and the tranquility of the neighborhood, a task that is not always easy.
Areas of focus: ATE, ZR-1 and ZR-2
The core of this initiative lies in the clear delimitation of three different zones: the Special Treatment Area (ATE) and two Regulation Zones (ZR-1 and ZR-2).
The ATE, now expanded, includes the well-known Triangle Lúdic, the Rambla del Poblenou and Rogent Street. This area has historically been problematic in terms of coexistence due to the high concentration of entertainment venues. The current plan focuses its efforts on limiting new openings of music bars and nightclubs in this section, reflecting a clear intention to reduce nighttime noise. As for convenience and self-service stores, only one establishment will be allowed within a 200-meter radius. This is intended to avoid commercial saturation.
On the other hand, Regulatory Zones 1 and 2 are presented with certain differences, being their accommodation to the needs of the district. ZR-1, located near the Ciutat Vella and Eixample districts, will only allow new restaurant activities if the streets are at least 20 meters wide. This is also reflected in the placement of music venues, which must also maintain a distance of 400 meters from each other. As for self-service restaurants, it follows the same principle as in the ATE, with only one establishment within a radius of 200 meters.
ZR-2 extends its territory to the border with Sant Adrià del Besòs and the district of Sant Andreu. Although it maintains similar regulations to ZR-1, here it favors a larger space for activities with music, expanding the capacity to 500 square meters for theater cafés and concerts, and to 200 square meters for music bars and discotheques, always with strict respect for the environment.
In search of a balance: protect, regulate, preserve
The councilman of Sant Martí, David Escudé, has made it clear that the initiative does not seek to be restrictive without offering solutions. This plan is based on the need to balance economic activity with local life. Escudé stresses that the main objective is to ensure a mix of uses without compromising rest and quality of life, arguing that these areas, with high commercial and nightlife density, require detailed treatment.
The Use Plan demonstrates efforts to integrate and make urban growth sustainable. It also plays a crucial role in the recovery of neighborhood commerce, which faces significant challenges in the face of the rise of chain stores and the pressure of tourism.
Projection into the future
Beyond curbing new openings of certain businesses, the plan has a broader objective: to rethink the urban space. The focus is on urban development and regeneration, which inevitably impacts the commercial and social dynamics of the area. It seeks an environment that is accessible and functional for citizens, where more decisions are made at the dialogue table and citizen participation is valued.
The Sant Martí Plan of Uses is, more than a simple regulation, an open door to conscious interaction with respect to how people live and trade in the district. Its implementation is an invitation to value balance as much as economic opportunities, ensuring that cities develop not only economically, but also in a way that is healthy for their inhabitants.
This new approach in Sant Martí, which at first glance appears to be a simple set of regulations, is actually a commitment to a harmonious coexistence between commercial interests and neighborhood peace. The district’s future looks promising as it focuses on a comprehensive quality of life, keeping both its businesses and the tranquility of its streets alive.
