New urban areas
The Olympic Village is a neighbourhood within the city district Sant Martí, developed on an old industrial area in Poblenou, named Icaria, and designed as a residential neighbourhood recovering the sea front integrating a leisure area in Port Olímpic and green areas.
It is worth highlighting that a “larger than usual percentage of the apartments was bought by families including a person with a physical disability, as the Village was especially attractive for such families since, as it had also served for accommodation for the Paralympics, not only the apartments but the entire area was accessible to those with disabilities” (Carbonell, 2002)
The beaches on the Olympic Village seafront have become one of the city’s favourite attractions and are visited each year by more than 3 million of the 5 million who go to Barcelona’s beaches.
The Port Olímpic has consolidated its reputation as a sporting and stop-off marina for boats sailing the Catalan coast. The 740 moorings available are occupied and the Sailing Centre, presently run by the Catalan Sailing Federation, has become one of the most successful on the Mediterranean.
The Port Olímpic is also a restaurant and nightlife centre. Of the total of 90 premises in the Port, 74 are bars and restaurants, the remainder being shops and activities related to the port’s maritime activities.
The Barcelona Olympic Ring is located on Montjuïc Park. A vast swathe of the imposing hill overlooking the port, offering a plethora of green areas and gardens, museums and cultural attractions, sports facilities and Olympic sites. Montjuïc Hill has been the focus of key events that have shaped its personality.
Today, the Olympic Ring is much more than a place commemorating thrilling sporting achievements. This area houses a series of amenities used every day by the city’s community but also visited by tourist. It embraces many sport facilities included the Bernat Picornell swimming pools, the headquarters of the National Physical Education Institute, the INEFC, or the Olympic and Sport Museum Barcelona.
(In-house documentation sources, CEO-UAB, 2014)