Barcelona City Council Backs Shift to Community-Focused Neighbourhood Centres

Barcelona City Council approved a government measure to turn neighbourhood centres into more community-based facilities during its ordinary full meeting on 28 February 2025.

The change aims to place essential services nearer to people and combine them with each centre’s existing local projects. Officials described the model as one that adapts to the specific character of every facility while adding a stronger focus on well-being and care.

Medals and infrastructure decisions

The same session awarded the City of Barcelona Gold Medal to former mayors Joan Clos, Jordi Hereu, Xavier Trias and Ada Colau. Four political groups supported the honour while two opposed it. A separate Gold Medal for Scientific Merit went unanimously to doctor and researcher Josep Tabernero Caturla.

Council members also approved the inclusion of three sites at C/ Àvila 140-14, C/ Pere IV 66-68 and Pg. Exposició 12-14 in the ESAL agreement. The City of Barcelona Gold Medal went to the four former mayors with support from Junts×BCN, the PSC, BComú and the ERC. The PP and Vox voted against. Silver and bronze medals of merit were approved unanimously for members of the Barcelona City Police, the Fire Protection, Prevention, Extinction and Rescue Service and other individuals and organisations.

Council members also gave final approval to two urban improvement plans in the Sant Martí district that form part of the broader 22@ redevelopment. An agreement on maintenance of ring roads and the Gran Via nord section received backing from four groups. The urban improvement plan 4 of the MPGM for a more inclusive and sustainable 22@ passed with votes from Junts×BCN, the PSC and the PP. The urban improvement plan 1 for Alí-Bei, Àlaba, Bolívia, PMU area of the MPGM for a more inclusive and sustainable 22@ passed with votes from Junts×BCN, the PSC, BComú and the PP.

Party proposals and votes

Junts per Barcelona secured approval for the creation of a Commissioner for Language post within one month. ERC won support for training and signage measures to strengthen Catalan use in restaurants. A Barcelona en Comú call for stronger action against property speculation was rejected.

The proposal from Vox for a residential centre for homeless people with addictions at the Hospital de Sant Llàtzer was rejected. The PSC proposal calling on the European Commission to exempt public spending on social and affordable housing from EU stability and growth agreement tax laws was approved. Two institutional declarations were read out during the meeting. The full session recording is available on the Barcelona City Council YouTube channel. Results of all agreements and group positions are published on the city council website.