Barcelona's Record Spending: La Sagrera Revitalization and New Housing Priority

Barcelona is entering a phase of intense urban and social transformation, as confirmed by the latest decisions of Mayor Jaume Collboni and the Catalan government (Generalitat). The central point of change is the area of the future La Sagrera high-speed rail station, which after 15 years of work is set to become the catalyst for building a new city model. The city will invest 260 million euros over the next five years to eliminate the historic railway barrier dividing the Sant Martí and Sant Andreu districts. The plan envisages the construction of 11,347 new homes, nearly half of which (48.8%) will have protected status, aimed at countering speculation and enabling residents to remain in the city despite rising prices. Concurrently, Salvador Illa's government has adopted a draft budget for 2026 worth a record nearly 50 billion euros. A key pillar of these finances is the 1.9 billion euro sum allocated for housing purposes. These funds are intended to provide rent subsidies for almost 90,000 people and accelerate the promotion of land for new investments. However, despite ambitious plans, the minority government faces a political challenge, as the left-wing ERC party is currently refusing budget negotiations, casting doubt on the plan's future. The La Sagrera district has for decades been a symbol of Barcelona's urban impasse; the construction of the intermodal station is one of Spain's longest-running infrastructure projects, with its full completion not planned until 2032.In the cultural sphere, the city is preparing for the Gaudí Year 2026 celebrations. Barcelona Cathedral has inaugurated an innovative virtual reality experience "Gaudí, l'Atelier du divin," which recreates the architect's workshop destroyed during the civil war. Barcelona is also strengthening its position as a literary center – the company Aena has announced the creation of a new literary prize worth one million euros, matching the prestigious Planeta Prize. Meanwhile, Sonsoles Ónega, the 2023 Planeta laureate, presented her new novel "Llevará tu nombre," facing criticism about the commercialization of literature. Against the backdrop of major investments, however, concerns about budgetary stability are emerging. Mayor Collboni warned that a lack of agreement in the Catalan parliament could expose the city to the loss of 250 million euros from planned joint investments. An additional local problem is the situation of FC Barcelona, which is struggling with a decline in its strikers' effectiveness, potentially forcing costly transfers in the summer window. The Planeta Prize, established in 1952 by José Manuel Lara, has over time become the highest-funded literary prize in Spain and one of the most lucrative, albeit controversial, awards in the world.„Queremos romper la idea de que la ciudad está terminada y que no se puede construir nuevas viviendas.” (We want to break the idea that the city is finished and that new housing cannot be built.) — Jaume Collboni