Transformation of the Port Vell
- In addition to its sporting significance and prestige, a major event like the America’s Cup has a sustained impact on the economic and urban development of the host city. In the case of the Port of Barcelona, the most significant change was experienced at Port Vell.
- Unlike in previous editions, in this case there were no plans to build new infrastructures, but rather to modernize and transform the existing ones.
Economic, environmental and social sustainability
The strategy of Port de Barcelona as the host venue of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup was focused on long-term sustainability, encompassing three fundamental aspects: economic, environmental, and social sustainability.
The decision to rehabilitate and transform instead of building new infrastructures was a more sustainable alternative from an economic perspective. Additionally, this edition of the competition introduced an innovation compared to previous editions: the teams themselves were responsible for financing and constructing the bases, while the organization took care of preparing the services, sewer system, access points, and necessary land and sea connections.
Among the most significant and complex actions—whether directly related to the installation of the team bases or not—are:
- Moll de Pescadors: An area where specific activities take place, which must be respected and maintained. The necessary infrastructures for fishing activities are modernized, making them more sustainable and opening them to the public.
- Relocation of cruise and ferry operations from the Barcelona Nord dock to Adossat dock, accelerating agreements reached with the Barcelona City Council in 2018, moving cruise activities away from the urban center.
- Renovation of the Tinglados del Moll Oriental: Old port warehouses of notable heritage value that became the Hospitality area of Port de Barcelona during the competition, including the station for Port de Barcelona’s nautical bus.
- Completion of the opening of the Nova Bocana area to the public, which includes actions such as the new “Trencaones” promenade and the Mirador building.
Altogether, more than 120 million euros were invested in 25 actions, which are detailed in the following map.
