Spain

Rendering of Elysium, Spain city built on brnd new land.

New ‘City’ Elysium Planned in Spain

The development proposes a from-scratch sustainable community built on brand new land at the edge of a reservoir.

October 16, 2023 - Fast Company

Public Transit

Pandemic Watch: What's Going on in Europe?

A coronavirus resurgence is spreading across much of Europe, forcing Italy into a new lockdown a year after it became the first Western country to resort to the drastic measure. The coronavirus has returned in the form of more transmissible variants.

March 18, 2021 - The New York Times

Coronavirus and Urbanism

Barcelona's Long-Term, Pedestrian-First Plan Continues with the 'Barcelona Superblock'

Mayor Ada Colau announced the next step in Barcelona's plan to convert the city center into a "new city for the present and the future."

November 15, 2020 - Bloomberg CityLab

Spain

Abandoned Rural Spain Rebounds With People Fleeing Cities

COVID-19 is leading an exodus to rural areas, according to this article. The shift could hurt the economies of cities, but it also presents opportunities for younger residents and people looking for a more sustainable lifestyle.

October 23, 2020 - Cities of the Future

Coronavirus and Urbanism

Tourism-Based Urban Economies Will Have to Innovate to Survive the Pandemic

It is time to make bold, disruptive changes to Barcelona's economy, according to this article, by fueling innovation, sustainability, and policies to improve residents' quality of life.

September 15, 2020 - Cities of the Future

SoMa San Francisco

Madrid Has the Bike Infrastructure Model the U.S. Needs

A happy accident, Madrid may have stumbled onto a bike infrastructure program with great results. Only time will tell if "slow" lanes yield long-term positive results.

August 20, 2020 - Streetsblog USA

Coronavirus

President Extends Coronavirus Guidelines; No Packed Churches Expected on Easter

Shortly after the two health experts on his task force estimated that the COVID-19 death toll could reach 200,000 and that no metro area would be spared, President Trump announced on Sunday that he would extend the 15-day guidelines through April.

March 30, 2020 - The Washington Post

Shipping San Francisco Bay

Bay Area Ordered to Shelter in Place

Six Bay Area counties have taken drastic action to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus. "Please read this Order carefully. Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both."

March 17, 2020 - San Francisco Chronicle

Women in the City

What Would Cities Look Like if They Were Designed by Women?

Cities are built by men, and so too often urban design does not reflect the needs, perspectives, and realities of women.

November 11, 2019 - BBC

Madrid Pedestrian Street

Driving Ban in Madrid Central Survives Despite Change of Leadership

In sharp contrast to France's yellow vest demonstrations against fuel tax hikes, Madrid residents took to the streets to keep them free of motor vehicles after new leaders were elected who vowed to rescind the driving ban enacted last November.

July 26, 2019 - CityLab

Madrid Street

Madrid’s Bold Car Ban May Become a Thing of the Past

A new conservative administration says it wants to do away with the ban on cars in the city center.

June 24, 2019 - CityLab

Ciutat Vella

Barcelona's Ambitious Plan to Become a Post-Car City

Barcelona is planning to expand on its initial superblock experiment in an attempt to ease the stranglehold of car congestion and air pollution gripping the dense city.

April 9, 2019 - Vox

Madrid Pedestrian Street

Car Ban in Madrid Boosted Retail Sales, Study Shows

An analysis of retail data suggests that vehicle restrictions in the city center led to more sales and less emissions.

March 16, 2019 - Forbes

Madrid Street

Madrid Seeks to Sharply Curtail Short-Term Rentals

A suite of restrictions under consideration in Madrid would eliminate short-term rentals from 95 percent of the city.

May 16, 2018 - The Local

RCR Arquitectes

Architecture's Top Prize Goes to a Relatively Unknown Trio From Spain

The Pritzker Prize, sometimes called the Nobel Prize of architecture, was announced this week, going to Spanish firm RCR Arquitectes.

March 2, 2017 - The Pritzker Architecture Prize

Cemetery

Fake Cemeteries May Help Curb Sprawl in Spain

In order to stop new development in areas previously consumed by forest fires, Spanish firefighters are using a little known law that prohibits new building's within a 500 meter (0.3 miles) radius of a cemetery.

February 14, 2017 - The Independent (UK)

Casinos

Madrid to Build Mega Casino, Betting on New Jobs and Tourist Dollars

Spain's capital may build a huge casino, but many fear that the facility will flounder in the way similar mega-projects have in the past.

December 17, 2016 - CityLab

La Rambla

Barcelona 'Superblocks' Aim to Cut Down on Cars

Seeking relief from noise, pollution, and incessant traffic, the city of Barcelona has a bold plan to repurpose street space. "Superblocks" will route cars around the perimeter, leaving interior streets open for walkers and bikes.

June 16, 2016 - The Guardian

International Bike Count: Spain's Ridership Growing Fastest

Between 2014 and 2015, Spain led 16 other countries by increasing its bicycle mode share the most—8 percent.

March 2, 2016 - Next City

Madrid Street 2

Madrid Takes Drastic Action to Curb Pollution

With a growing reputation for heavy local pollution, the city of Madrid will impose reduced speed limits and driving restrictions in its central core. On bad days, transit will be free to ride.

November 12, 2015 - CityLab

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