Urban Dynamics, Emerging Activities: Public Policies in the Metropolitan Region of Barcelona

Abstract

The metropolitan area of Barcelona, like so many metropolitan areas of Europe, is immersed in an accelerated process of change. There are three main characteristics: the extension of the urban area over an increasing scope, the dispersion of population and activities over the space and the functional and social specialization of each area according to the metropolitan area. Together, these transformations present numerous opportunities, important challenges, especially in relation to environmental sustainability, functional efficiency and social segregation. The urban policies applied to face these challenges point, with their lights and shadows to the defense of the compact, complex and cohesive city model. As an example of these policies are analyzed the activities related to the tourist activity, the new industry and the social balance in the central city of the area: the city of Barcelona.