Historic city centres as catalysts for wider sustainable urban regeneration

This chapter scrutinises the historical centre of Barcelona, Spain. This is officially known as theCore City of Barcelona, and serves as its central business district. The historical centre of thisMediterranean city has undergone a variety of projects and strategic plans for urban regeneration,development, and beautification. Moreover, various attempts have been made for theimprovement of environmental quality and ecological performance of this historical centre. Thisis through increases in urban green spaces and public parks, increased dependence on renewableenergy technologies and adopting sustainable transportation modes as opposed to undesirableand harmful vehicular transport. Furthermore, many urban regeneration plans have been aimed atconserving and preserving buildings and sites that are considered symbolic of the city’s heritageand legacy. The chapter also analyses the strategies that have been used through various urbanregeneration projects and development plans, for the improvement of the historical city centre ofBarcelona. The authors focus particularly on the strategies that have been used to upgrade theenvironmental quality of the Core City of Barcelona – a case from which many lessons can belearnt – attempting to diminish undesirable effects of development and urbanisation, andimproving the urban and environmental quality of its urban spaces for the well-being of citizens.