Barcelona boosts winter safety with decorative lights in the historic centre

Central Barcelona will keep decorative lights after Christmas. The City Council and traders are seeking safer, livelier streets. The measure could be extended to more roads. Discover how the night-time atmosphere will change this winter.

Barcelona has decided to keep part of its decorative Christmas lighting in several streets of the historic centre throughout the winter. The City Council, in collaboration with traders' associations in Ciutat Vella, is committed to strengthening safety and improving the urban experience in areas such as Gòtic and Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera.

The initiative consists of retaining aesthetic lights, without festive motifs, to illuminate narrow, dark streets between October and March. The aim is to avoid the feeling of insecurity created by nights in these areas, where the lack of light discourages both residents and visitors.

The council plans to make use of some of the existing installations and add new lighting in streets that still lack it. It is drawing inspiration from examples such as the bulbs on Sant Sever or Baixada de Santa Eulàlia, seeking a welcoming and safe atmosphere.

Albert Batlle, deputy mayor for Security and councillor for Ciutat Vella, has said that the priority is to invigorate commercial, cultural and social life, as well as improve the perception of safety in the small alleyways of Gòtic and the Casc Antic.

Criminology studies support the measure, as better public lighting can reduce thefts and increase street activity, which makes it harder to commit crimes.

Traders have received the proposal enthusiastically and have suggested extending the project to more streets. David González, spokesperson for the Associació de Comerciants de Via Laietana, stresses that safety and commerce are closely linked, and that better lighting can benefit both sectors.

At present, the project remains in the development phase, while the final list of streets that will have this lighting reinforcement during the winter months is being defined.