El Pla General Metropolità de Barcelona. La versió de 1976

The Pla General Metropolità de Barcelona represented a «before» and an «after» not only with respect to the way urban problems are dealt with, but also with regard to the changes it brought about in the urban dynamic of the metropolitan system. Concerning the former, the conceptual and methodological innovations, such as the control of urban density and construction, the reservation of land for infrastructure and utilities, and even the type of zoning classification used, are directed towards the identification of the urban processes they aim to regulate. In this way, the solution of the specific problems affecting each urban environment is based on identifying the areas in need of improvement, and on a selective control of the urban potential of the different parts of the metropolitan ambit. With respect to the urban dynamic, the planning regulations approved gave rise to a reformulation of urban growth practices and strategies, producing positive effects, such as the slowing down of the densification processes affecting the central areas on different scales, and the recuperation of land for green spaces and public facilities. They also favoured the shift of industry towards the periphery, and the regeneration of areas in need of renewal.