Barcelona Metropolitan Area to redraft Urban Master Plan (PDUM)

The Metropolitan Urban Master Plan (PDUM) lays the groundwork for planning through 2050 throughout the territory comprising the city of Barcelona and 35 surrounding municipalities. It was initially approved in 2023 and will now be redrafted to incorporate many of the proposals put forward by local councils, some of which introduce substantial changes to the initial document.

The document approved two years ago by the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB) includes sections on natural spaces, buildable areas, housing, infrastructure, mobility routes, green corridors, new centralities and areas of economic activity, among others. Some of the most significant aspects of the 2023 PDUM include ten major metropolitan avenues designed for surface public transport and mobility. Together with streets and paths, these add up to 870 km of green hubs.

Additionally, the document includes fifteen new areas of centrality and proposes to increase non-developable land to 32,000 hectares (51% of the total), decrease private vehicle use by 50% and for 50% of journeys to be made on foot or by bicycle, with 30% using public transport. It also foresees the construction of 217,000 new homes. Of these, 120,000 will be affordable housing, including 62,000 social rental units.

After reviewing the 5,498 submissions made by individuals, councils and sector entities, 26% have been accepted and 28% are still under consideration. Following a new public consultation period, the document will move on to the urban planning commissions of Barcelona and the metropolitan area for their approval. The PDUM won’t get final approval until 2027 or 2028.