Overview

The 22@ Plan responds to a triple objective: Poblenou’s urban, economic and social renewal. And the project has to be seen in the Barcelona tradition of longterm strategic planning and design of the city model. Launched in 2000, this mixed-use development combines technological innovation with urban planning, creating a space where companies, universities, and residents coexist. The district serves as a testing ground for Barcelona's technological sovereignty approach, emphasizing citizen control of data, open-source technologies, and reduced dependence on large tech corporations. The project balances economic revitalization with social inclusion goals, though it continues to navigate tensions between innovation-driven growth and concerns about gentrification. 

Goals and Aspirations

Urban Regeneration. Transform the industrial Poblenou neighborhood into a modern, mixed-use district with quality public spaces, sustainable infrastructure, and improved connectivity. The plan aims to preserve industrial heritage while creating a compact Mediterranean urban model that integrates residential areas with innovation spaces, maintaining Barcelona's human-scale urban design tradition.

Economy System. Establish a vibrant innovation district that attracts knowledge-intensive activities and fosters collaboration between businesses, universities, and research centers. The plan designates space for five strategic clusters (media, ICT, medical technologies, energy, and design) to position Barcelona as a competitive hub in the global knowledge economy while creating high-quality employment opportunities.

Social Renewal. Ensure the urban and economic transformation benefits existing residents through affordable housing provisions, public facilities, and job training programs. The plan seeks to preserve neighborhood identity and cultural heritage while creating a socially diverse district that prevents displacement and promotes equitable participation in the knowledge economy.

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