The General Metropolitan Plan designed in 1976 established a reserve of urban land for the growth of Sant Boi in the valley of Can Carreres of 26.22Ha, which may hold up to 655 housings. These housings would have been unaffordable for the local youth, which often emigrated to nearby cities looking for cheaper housings.

In 2000, the private initiative to build a new residential sector in the valley of Can Carreres, a natural space in the surroundings of Sant Boi, generated a social opposition from the neighbours. Therefore, the City Council decided to modify the urban planning, achieved a commitment with the land owners, signed an agreement with the civil agents and developed a new strategy: growth within the urban space instead of occupation of new land.

Among the positive impacts of this initiative are: the introduction of previous environmental reports in urban projects; citizens’ participation and signature of agreements to solve conflicts; change of the status of some private housings to social housings; public acquisition of the natural space of the valley of Can Carreres to guarantee its protection.

Sant Boi de Llobregat City Council
Plaza del Ayuntamiento, 1
08830 Sant Boi de Llobregat
Spain
Phone: +34 936351200
Fax: +34 936301856
agenda21@santboi.org

29/12/2006

case

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Land use

Urban sprawl