Barcelona begins the complete transformation of three key streets in Porta with 2.3 million

Barcelona begins the comprehensive refurbishment of Santa Pau, Emili Roca and Desfar. The project seeks greater accessibility and green areas. The works will last six months. The change will affect 5,500 m2. Find out how it will affect the neighbourhood.

Barcelona City Council has launched an ambitious urban refurbishment in the Porta neighbourhood, in Nou Barris. With an investment of 2.3 million euros, the city will completely transform the 5,500 square metres of Santa Pau, Emili Roca and Desfar streets. The works, which will begin in the coming weeks, will be carried out consecutively and are expected to end in the second half of 2026.

This intervention forms part of the Plan de Mantenimiento Integral (PMI) and Plan Endreça, which envisage almost 3,000 actions by 2028 and an overall investment of 435 million euros to renew and improve Barcelona’s public space.

Nou Barris district officials stress that the refurbishment responds to the municipal commitment to accessibility and urban quality in Porta. The project follows the line of other recent improvements, such as the widening of pavements on Rio de Janeiro street, improved access to the Aurigues del Parc de Can Dragó sculpture, the creation of the green axis on Pintor Alzamora and the renovation of the area around Camp Municipal de Futbol de Porta.

The remodelling of Santa Pau, Emili Roca and Desfar will involve widening pavements, improving accessibility and adding a new strip of trees. In addition, new street furniture will be installed, the sewerage network will be renewed and the overhead cables that currently cross these streets will be buried underground.

The aim is to revitalise local commerce and encourage interaction among neighbours through the creation of new areas for staying and green spaces. The Santa Pau refurbishment has a budget of 1.1 million euros and will affect 2,500 m2; Emili Roca will receive almost 735,000 euros for 1,700 m2; and Desfar, 475,000 euros for 1,280 m2. All these streets are perpendicular to the busy Fabra i Puig promenade, one of Porta’s main arteries.