la escola mediterrania- “without a school, there is no neighborhood”

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Barracones- Un Barrio en Resistencia.

In preparation for the 1992 summer olympics Barcelona underwent a dramatic restructuring of the urban landscape.   Four of the city’s most marginalized districts were chosen for the construction of olympic facilities.  The olympic village or Villa Olympica, was constructed over the course of a few months, and the then abandoned port was transformed into various kilometers of artificial beachfront.  Subsequent to the Olympics, Barcelona went through a boom of real estate speculation.  Cheap credit and a growing tourist industry made land value sky-rocket. As a result those living in the neighborhoods that had originally been chosen to host the olympic facilities, now found themselves being pushed out of their communities- unable to pay increasing premiums on their housing rentals.

Between the artificial beaches and the olympic port is the neighborhood of Barceloneta.  Once it was inhabited by the city’s fisherman and their families.  Waves of immigration first from other parts of Spain and currently from all over the world have added diversity to the neighborhood’s character.  However in much the same way that other neighborhoods in the center of the city have suffered from land speculation and gentrification, Barceloneta has become prime real estate considering its proximity to the beaches. Those neighbors who haven’t already abandoned the neighborhood are subject to a constant onslaught of tourists and real estate speculators.

The impetus to change the neighborhood is strong, and one of the first things to be affected by this wave of gentrification has been the neighborhood’s public works.  More specifically, the community’s schools.  Escola Mediterranea, a primary school, has been without a permanent building for the passed 4 years.  Classes are currently being held in a temporary facility that was designed to last 2 years.   The Ajuntamento has approved the construction of the new facility but has not yet released the necessary capital.  In short, for the speculators and city planners there is little need for a primary school in a neighborhood ultimately designed to become another hub of Barcelona’s tourist industry.  New construction in the neighborhood is focused on hotels, single short term apartments, parking, etc.  As a result,  those in power have taken the public funds destined for Escola Mediterranea hostage in an attempt to tire the neighborhood’s resistance and will power.

Yet Barceloneta resists, and the families of the Escola Mediterranea are not willing to give up their neighborhood without a fight.

 

Barracones-Un barrio en Resistencia.

En preparación para las Olimpiadas de 1992, Barcelona sufrió una dramática reestructuración del paisaje urbano. Cuatro de los barrios más marginados de la ciudad fueron elegidos para la construcción de las instalaciones olímpicas. La Villa Olímpica, fue construido en el transcurso de unos meses, y luego el puerto se transformó en varios kilómetros de playa artificial. Con posterioridad a los Juegos Olímpicos, Barcelona pasó por un auge de la especulación inmobiliaria. El crédito barato y una industria turística hizo crecer el valor de la tierra de una manera exagerado. Como resultado, los que viven en los barrios que habían sido originalmente elegido para albergar las instalaciones olímpicas, ahora se vieron empujados fuera de sus comunidades-no pueden pagar las primas el aumento en el alquiler de su vivienda.

Entre las playas artificiales y el puerto olímpico es el barrio de la Barceloneta. Una vez fue habitada por los pescadores de la ciudad y sus familias. Olas de inmigración, primera de otras partes de España y en la actualidad de todo el mundo se han añadido la diversidad como caracter de la vecindad. Sin embargo, en la misma manera que otros barrios en el centro de la ciudad han sufrido de la especulación de la tierra, la Barceloneta se ha convertido en una zona inmobiliaria de alta valor teniendo en cuenta su proximidad a las playas. Los vecinos que todavía no han abandonado la zona están sujetos a un ataque constante de turistas y especuladores.

El ímpetu para cambiar la zona es fuerte, y una de las primeras cosas que se verán afectados por esta ola de gentrificación ha sido las obras públicas del barrio. Más concretamente, las escuelas de la comunidad. Escuela Mediterranea, una escuela primaria, ha estado sin un edificio permanente para el pasado 4 años.  En la actualidad se hacen las clases en un centro temporal que fue diseñado para durar dos años. El Ajuntamento ha aprobado la construcción de la nueva instalación, pero no ha emitido aún el capital necesario. En resumen, para los especuladores y los planificadores de la ciudad hay poca necesidad de una escuela primaria en un barrio que lo están convergiendo en otro centro de la industria turística Barcelones. La mayoridad de construcción nuevo en el barrio se centra en hoteles, apartamentos individuales a corto plazo, aparcamiento, etc.  Aquellos en el poder han tenido los fondos públicos destinados a la Escuela Mediterránea de rehenes en un intento de cansar la fuerza de voluntad del barrio.

Sin embargo, se resiste la Barceloneta, y las familias de la Escuela Mediterránea no están dispuestos a renunciar a su barrio sin una lucha.

 

short made by the parents’ association of la escola mediterrania.

 

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PHOTOS FROM MY WEBSITE

 

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