The 190-Hectare Green Lung of Ildefons Cerdà

We must look closely at this small park to understand a much broader, lost ambition. In 1860, Ildefons Cerdà envisioned a 190-hectare green lung for the right bank of the Besòs river. Although that initial plan was abandoned and the land was overtaken by factories and worker housing for decades, the vision was not entirely lost. It took until the late 1970s for the city to start reclaiming this industrial landscape as a public garden by expropriating former forests and wetlands.

The current park emerged in 1984 following an ideas competition. Covering 63,918.18 square meters, it sits at the crossroads of the Besòs, la Mina, and la Catalana neighborhoods. We can observe how the design utilizes prefabricated concrete pieces to organize grass squares and paths. Two paved walkways are lined with trees and lampposts alongside three large planting beds. This linear arrangement creates a striking contrast against undulating concrete bales that mirror the natural path of a river.

Further exploration reveals a layout divided into specific functional zones. These areas include a paved space with a pergola, a multi-sports court with football goals and basketball hoops, a petanque court, and a dedicated area for dogs. For those seeking deeper details, the park contains various fountains and concrete sculptures, specifically the Bosc and the Cuc.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons