Pedestrian Connection between Barcelona and Montcada i Reixac

The project is located in an interstitial space between municipalities, at the confluence of the Collserola and Marina mountain ranges, and adjacent to the Rec Comtal and the Besòs River. Its aim is to improve pedestrian access between the Vallbona and Can Sant Joan neighbourhoods by subtly regularising the existing path’s alignment and gradient, addressing the lack of connection through a focus on soft mobility and a healthy, biophilic, and accessible city.

This new passage, over 170 metres long, features gentle slopes within a renaturalised setting that serves as a viewpoint over the Besòs. It links the urban pedestrian network with the metropolitan open-space system, representing one of the shortest connections between Barcelona and Montcada.

Using a standard cross-section and a restrained material palette, the design resolves a complex project with simplicity, adapting to the site’s characteristics while respecting existing vegetation and slopes. The adjoining square, Primer de Maig, has been enhanced with fruit trees and an insect hotel.

The pile-supported walkway preserves the site’s natural dynamics, facilitating wildlife movement and maintaining water continuity. The 2-metre-wide path minimises earthworks and respects the existing pine trees. Near urban areas, a gabion wall has been introduced to retain and attenuate surface runoff. The new route aims to become a safer, healthier, and more comfortable link between the two municipalities.