Why does Barcelona have a perfect pattern in its street design?

The city’s grid pattern was designed by Ildefons Cerdà in the 1850s and 1860s. Cerdà’s plan was based on the concept of the “Eixample,” which means “expansion” in Catalan. The Eixample was intended to be a new district that would expand the city beyond its old walls and accommodate its growing population.

Cerdà’s design for the Eixample included a grid of streets with blocks that were 113 meters long by 80 meters wide. The blocks were designed to be square-shaped, which allowed for the construction of buildings that could be evenly spaced and have a uniform appearance.

One of the key features of Cerdà’s plan was the inclusion of wide, tree-lined avenues that were designed to provide ample space for pedestrian traffic, as well as carriages and eventually cars. These avenues were also designed to provide ventilation and natural light to the buildings that lined them.

In addition to the wide avenues, Cerdà’s plan included several public squares and green spaces that were intended to provide areas for recreation and socialization.

Overall, the design of Barcelona’s streets and blocks reflects a commitment to creating a healthy and efficient city that could accommodate a growing population. The grid pattern of the streets has helped to facilitate the growth and development of the city over the years, and remains an important feature of Barcelona’s urban landscape today.