Batlle I Roig Arquitectura, SLP

Pedestrian Connection Between Barcelona and Montcada i Reixac

Pedestrian Connection Between Barcelona and Montcada i Reixac
© Jordi Surroca

PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION BETWEEN BARCELONA AND MONTCADA I REIXAC

Batlleiroig

ARCHITECTS
Batlleiroig

PHOTOGRAPHS
Jordi Surroca

LOCATION
Montcada I Reixac, Spain

AREA
7608 m²

CATEGORY
Landscape Architecture, Pedestrian Bridge

YEAR
2020

CLIENT
Consorci del Besòs

ENGINEERING
SBS Simón i Blanco

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Enric Batlle Durany, Joan Batlle Blay, Iván Sánchez Fabra

MANUFACTURERS
Arribas Center Sl, Bianchini, Breinco, Cofunco Sa, Fundición Dúctil Fábregas Sau, Hierros Iserte Sa, Perfiles Aragón Sa, Projar, Viveros Planas Pubol Sl

DESIGN TEAM
Clàudia Amías Roget, Clara Terradellas Rosell, Marta Sanz Cuso, Laura Florentín Aragón, Elisabeth Torregrosa Avilés, Dolors Feu, Yago Cavaller Galí

Text description provided by architect.

The project tackles an interstitial space between municipalities, at the convergence of the Collserola and Marina ranges, besides the Rec Comtal and Besós natural spaces.

The project's area has historically been the rear side of both municipalities becoming a space degraded by illegal thrash dumping carried out over the years, generating the disengagement of the citizens with the area.

Pedestrian Connection Between Barcelona and Montcada i Reixac
© Jordi Surroca
Pedestrian Connection Between Barcelona and Montcada i Reixac
© Jordi Surroca

The goal of the project is to consolidate and improve a pedestrian connection, currently inaccessible and insecure, between Vallbona and Can Sant Joan.

The trace and slope of the existing path are regularized to solve the lack of connection between nearby neighborhoods Committing boldly for soft mobility and a new Biophilic city; healthy, cleaner, and accessible for people.

The new 175-meter long passage, has gentle slopes for pedestrians in a renaturalized environment acting as a vantage point over Besós.

The path links the pedestrian urban network with the metropolitan free-space system through one of the shortest connections between Barcelona and Montcada.

Pedestrian Connection Between Barcelona and Montcada i Reixac
© Jordi Surroca
Pedestrian Connection Between Barcelona and Montcada i Reixac
© Jordi Surroca

By establishing a typical section and selecting a reduced material palette we are able to solve a complex project in a simple manner.

The project responds to the characteristics of the site and adapts to each place maintaining vegetation and the existing gradients in the most respectful manner possible.

The esplanade next to the Primero de Mayo square is also arranged with fruit trees, creating an urban door with an insect hotel.

Pedestrian Connection Between Barcelona and Montcada i Reixac
© Jordi Surroca
Pedestrian Connection Between Barcelona and Montcada i Reixac
© Jordi Surroca

The site is reassessed by generating a common space between both municipalities, adapting to pre-existing geological and morphological traits, increasing the involvement of citizens and local municipalities. Three main goals are set in this new and recovered pedestrian connection.

Connecting cities.

Consolidation of a small path on the eastern slope of the Vallbona hill improves the connectivity of the Metropolis, bringing nature closer to citizens.

In spite of the site's stark orography, an accessible path is built. When the train tracks are buried, it will be the only connection between Montcada and Barcelona along the Besós river.

Respecting nature.

The dock-style catwalk on stilts maintains the site's dynamics allowing for the crossing of fauna and keeping continuity with water along with the natural runoff.

Pedestrian Connection Between Barcelona and Montcada i Reixac
© Jordi Surroca
Pedestrian Connection Between Barcelona and Montcada i Reixac
© Jordi Surroca

The 2-meter wide path avoids moving large quantities of earth keeping the site's orography and respecting the existing pine trees.

Managing rainwater. 

In the areas closer to the urban fabric, where the orography is more favorable, the path becomes dam-like with a stone gabion wall to retain and laminate superficial runoff water favoring the sliding stability. The slope is made up of loose slate strata and illegal trash dumping.


Pedestrian Connection Between Barcelona and Montcada i Reixac
Plan
Pedestrian Connection Between Barcelona and Montcada i Reixac
Site Plan


Pedestrian Connection Between Barcelona and Montcada i Reixac
Sections

Batlle I Roig Arquitectura, SLP
T +34 934 579884
Batlle I Roig Arquitectura, SLP
Carrer de Manuel Florentín, 15, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain