Nou Barris is located on the north side of Barcelona, an area that was sparsely populated until the 1950’s and 60’s when Barcelona experienced a dramatic influx of migration from other Spanish regions – those seeking job opportunities.

The real estate speculation aided by Franco's dictatorship encouraged inhabitants to move to this area by building working class housing, although not always under fit conditions. With the arrival of democracy, governments have since undertaken several reform and urban upgrading projects, as well as the construction of new public housing.

The district’s neighborhoods are categorized as one of three types: self-built neighborhoods (Torre Baró, a part of Les Roquetes and Vallbona), those built by public administration (Trinitat Nova, Guneueta, Canyelles, the Verdun and parts of Roquetes), and neighborhoods promoted by private companies (Trinitat Vella, La Prosperitat and Ciutat Meridiana).

The architectural configurations are diverse and include several types of low-budget housing: from single family homes with gardens, to large massive housing blocks – a product of modern architecture, and other, more contemporary solutions.

NEIGBORHOODS OF NOU BARRIS

Can Peguera, Canyelles, Ciutat Meridiana, La Guineueta, La Prosperitat, Les Roquetes, La Trinitat Nova, El Turó de la Peira, Porta, Torre Baró, Vallbona, Verdún, Vilapicina i la Torre Llobeta.

Puntos de interés & Referencias

• Santa Eulalia de Vilapicina Sanctuary: 18th Century chapel in the Turó de la Peira neighborhood. Forms part of an interesting historical complex of buildings, together with Ca n´Artes, an old hostel built between the 15th and 16th Centuries, and Can Basté, an 18th Century masía.  (Passeig Fabra i Puig 260)

• Parque Central de Nou Barris: A contemporary public space, built between the years 1999 and 2007 and designed by the Catalán architectural firm Arriola i Fiol. It is part of the urban renewal project for Barcelona’s peripheral areas. (Passeig d´Urrutia 89)