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As highlighted by the theoretical framework (Coaffee & Healey, 2003) sustainability Cullingworth et al, 2006; Neass, 2001) and development processes (Healey, 2001) are the key discourses for this project. Of key importance in this case are how the two discourses have been brought together and the ability of the development processes to encourage sustainable practices. The first part of this section will consider how sustainability was

integrated into the project and this will be followed by a more detailed appreciation of the development process itself, therefore providing an overview about if and how the development process helped to bring forward sustainable urban development.

Sustainability

Sustainability has always been a core element of the 22@ project. The very nature of the project, which involves the reuse of former industrial land in a city centre location combines well with the concept of the compact city, mixed use urban environments and reductions in distances travelled. It is important to consider sustainability at this stage because sustainability remain a core paradigm for planning and it is important to get an understanding about how the development process and the governance/power arrangements have had an influence on the sustainability of the project in terms of environmental, social and economic issues.

Environmental Sustainability

One of the main focuses in terms of sustainability in the 22@ project has been the way in which the infrastructure has been developed and how this infrastructure will help ensure that the 22@ neighbourhood will be sustainable in short and long term.

“The sustainability of the area has been achieved by the innovative approach towards infrastructure that was put in place and the beginning of the process”

Infrastructure Officer

The main elements of the infrastructure that have been developed include:

• The combined heat and cooling unit and corresponding infrastructure

• Pneumatic waste collection

• Electricity network

The combined heat and power unit is located in an area close to the Forum 2004 and connects to the buildings through underground tunnels. All new buildings are required by law to connect to this system and there is only one point of connection per block, which means that the buildings need to be designed specifically to be able to get these services by connecting to adjacent buildings. The combined heat and cooling unit dramatically reduces the amount of CO2 that would be used if the buildings used more conventional heating systems but occupiers and owners complain that the price for these services is high in comparison to a normal system.

Figure 7.11 – Main layout of the combined heat and power network with the production unit located close to the Forum 2004 (bottom right) (Source: Ajuntament de Barcelona, 2010b)

The installation of fibre optic cables is critical in terms of ensuring that high-tech businesses are attracted to the area. The unique element with this installation is that the public sector installs the system and then it is rented by private providers which ensures that roads do not need to be dug up every time a new provider wants to connect to a new client. The pneumatic waste collection system was also installed as part of the infrastructure plan. This

focuses on dealing with household waste from residential development but also waste from offices. The system helps reduce the need for waste collection vehicles and waste disposal bins. The electricity network is based on a local unit that provides five times more power than a conventional system.

The environmental sustainability of the project has therefore been focused around the idea of sustainable infrastructure being put in place early in the project through public sector leadership. The emphasis on high performance buildings has been less pronounced than in Hamburg but once again it can be seen that environmental sustainability has been taken forward most proactively by the public sector.

Social Sustainability

The social sustainability of 22@ is a key element for consideration because of the context of the site. As opposed to other regeneration projects the 22@ project wanted to transform an area that was already operating as a fully functioning element of the city and although it was clear that the area needed to change it is always more problematic to change an area which has a strong economic history and a vibrant local community.

At the beginning of the process, the city authority made a considerable effort to ensure that the local community was engaged in the process and that their views were heard and taken into consideration. Indeed, the reaction from the local community was not overtly negative at the beginning with many considering it necessary for the area to change. As the process moved forward, however, it became clear that the process was one which was being imposed in a top-down manner but in many cases it was still possible for local community groups to influence decision making processes such as the creation and implementation of the Heritage Protection Plan.

Apart from this, the development process in itself also tries to ensure that social infrastructure is developed alongside the more corporate development. This includes provisions for schools, green areas, social housing and other social infrastructure. The very nature of the planning and development process tries to ensure that the existing elements of the urban fabric that can be kept and enhanced are done so. In many regeneration projects there is an emphasis on creating a completely new urban environment but this is not the case for 22@. The process ensures that the urban renewal and incorporation of the new knowledge economy sits alongside the older urban fabric of the area and therefore starts to create an urban environment that feels authentic and the new 22@ project is just another stage in the long evolution of the local area.

Economic Sustainability

The economic sustainability of the project is focused around the idea of knowledge industries and the potential of these sectors to be the key growth engines of the future economy.

Poblenou had become an area where the majority of businesses were not focused towards the modern economy and in this sense had little hope of creating a new engine for employment. The strategy with the 22@ has been to use the valuable inner city location to create businesses that use land intensively and need people who are highly qualified. The approach to achieving this was firstly orientated around the 6 engines which were public sector led and has now moved on to the concept of clusters which will help to ensure synergies not only between start-ups and larger scale businesses but also between public and private sector organisations.

The last 10 years have seen dramatic changes in the 22@ and this is likely to continue albeit at a slower rate because of the economic crisis. The area has proven attractive for many businesses partly due to its central location but also because of the surrounding uses and the context which appeals to many high-tech workers.