9. Raised platform integrated into the square

10. Nacions Square

11. Mercè Rodoreda Park

12. Avinguda Mediterrània Park

Identity

The neighborhood, for the new visitor, has a double perception. Unfulfilled, on the one hand, but also soft and essential, comfortable. The shade of the trees is also very present, in many parts, even when there are no trees planted on the street, the shade comes from the private gardens.

The proposal seeks to provide the neighborhood with a unitary and own, recognizable identity. All spaces, even with different spatial characteristics, are solved with the same “palette” of materials. Identity that links it to the river walk, and at the same time to the memory of the place. The trace of the pine forest, the soft and permeable materiality of the pavements, and the chromaticism linked to the “sauló” (now dominant) and the beach.

The spaces are naturalized, with a substantial increase in green, both the coverage (continuity of shade) and the lower level (permeability of the soil) and the intermediate levels (shrubs). The street is perceived as a unique space, equipped and comfortable, diluting the border between pedestrian and vehicle space. The entire street with plant cover.

The visual impact of parked cars is reduced, and seating and rest areas are created, with benches, accompanying the routes. Shrubs contribute to creating collected, welcoming spaces.
Circulations: slowing down and pacification

The main vehicle mobility ends at Avinguda Mediterrània, establishing it as the last primary road, exiting towards Avinguda S’Agaró. The degree of pedestrianization between this and the river is increased, and the Ridaura promenade is relieved of traffic, to turn it into a river promenade connected to the territory. The traffic within the area is in a “loop” enabling neighborhood access without allowing crossing routes. Thus, the passage of vehicles is reduced and, where possible, some spaces are freed from the passage of vehicles (including neighboring ones), such as in the central square.

The road circulation space is distinguished by its own paving, which is interrupted at each intersection, where the “sidewalk” pavement passes, showing the inversion of priority of passage in favor of the pedestrian.

Parking on the street is reduced by around 60%, being ordered to reduce its presence. More parking spaces are concentrated in the perimeter streets. In those that converge on the square, parking is concentrated at the ends, freeing up the proximity of the square. In the narrow streets there is no parking space, which is deterred by the creation of flowerbeds with shrubs.

Pedestrian routes through the neighborhood interconnect the river promenade with the inner and nearby parks and squares. At the intersections, the “sidewalk” pavement dominates over the “vehicle” pavement, which is interrupted.
The river promenade has two levels, the upper one is pedestrian only, open to the landscape. A viewpoint is proposed by raising the level, next to the roundabout of the collector.

On the promenade, the cycle lane is parallel to the vehicle space, separated by beacons. The rest of the routes are cycleable through the central space, without segregation.

The whole urbanization has a material and chromatic unity, centered on sandy tones in the mineral and “sauló” elements and all the colors of green for the soft pavements and vegetation.
The mineral pavements are made of concrete, with the incorporation of recycled aggregate and optimization of the section and construction systems to minimize environmental impacts and make their durability and recyclability viable.

Waterproof paving is reduced to the essentials, being reduced to approximately 40% on standard streets. The rest of the pavements have varying degrees of permeability.
The slopes lead the runoff to the strips of permeable and semi-permeable pavements, to favor natural irrigation and infiltration. In the narrowest streets, the dominant pavement is the permeable (checkerblock), in 85%, with clippings of the remaining 15% with plant beds.

Vegetation covers all levels of the green, to enrich the experience of the space.

Upper level
Trees form plant cover, a climate protection mechanism, and humidity regulation. Most of them are deciduous (summer protection and winter sun protection), except for the pines in continuity in the area of the pine forest. All species are adapted to the Mediterranean environment and the proximity of the sea.
The diversity of species characterizes each type of street, distinguishing different environments. The existing trees are all kept, and the rows are completed generally with the same species.
The pinewood environment has been preserved and given continuity, maintaining the historical link (Madrid street and Avinguda Mediterrània in front of the pine park). Populus is planted as riverside trees in line with the promenade (empties are filled in, and banana trees are replaced over time). The rest are characteristic species for each distinct space, with ports of various sizes depending on the availability of section of each street. Priority has been given to planting two rows in each street, to achieve good coverage.

Ground level
Permeable pavements with low green, walkable. Hardy grass, sprinkled with flower seed mix. It will flower in the spring, more or less “wild” depending on the intensity of use and climbing.
Shrubs and slopes of the promenade with low herbaceous plants, with flowering.

Intermediate level
Shrubs in flower beds, in the hybrid strip. They give volume, avoid steps (protection), configure space, to give a welcoming character to living spaces in interior streets. Abelia grandiflora and Teucrium fruticans.