Eixample District
Why is Barcelona considered one of the most successful cities in urban planning innovation?
Because Barcelona reunites the best of two times: the past preserved in the gothic quarter and the present that reflects in the modernism architecture of the Eixample District. Barcelona is a well- planned city with a lot of parks (10% of the city size), preserved culture, economical development, good transportation system and an active and varied urban life.
How the city of Barcelona is administrative divided? How many districts does it have? What are their names?
The city of Barcelona is administrative divided into 10 districts; leaded by a councilor elected by a city council. The districts are related to the historical divisions of the city and their names are all Catalans.
The Barcelona´s districts are: Ciutat Vella, Eixample, Sants–Montjuïc, Les Corts, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Gràcia, Horta-Guinardó, Nou Barris, Sant Andreu, and Sant Martí. The Gothic Quarter and the “Barri de la Sagrada Família” are located, the first in the Ciutat Vella District and the latter in the Eixample District.
One of the districts' name is Eixample, what's the meaning of this Catalan word?
The word means expansion or extension district, and is well-known for having a reticular pattern of blocks, connected by great pedestrian spaces. It is the first district planned under the influence of modernists’ architects.
Who designed this district?
The designer of this district was Idelfons Cerdá, an engineer that always worried about a city with good transportation, ventilation and lightning; the main ideas that he applied in the design of the Eixample District.
How is this district divided into?
The Eixample District is divided in five (5) neighborhoods: Esquerra de l'Eixample, Dreta de l'Eixample, Sant Antoni, Sagrada Família and Fort Pienc. The last one known as well as the “Chinese Town” by the large amount of Asian immigrants that lives in this part of the district.