Exactly 150 years ago, on the 7th of June 1859, the Plan for Reform and Development of Barcelona was approved. This was the work of one of Barcelona’s most magnificent minds: Ildefons Cerdà.

TThere are many reasons why Barcelona could not let this anniversary pass by unnoticed. The Cerdà Plan represented a definitive point in our city’s history. The Cerdà Plan was a historic leap without which the Barcelona of today and tomorrow would be unimaginable. It is the DNA of modern Barcelona.

FFor these reasons, we at City Hall decided to declare 2009 as the Cerdà Year. Throughout one whole year, until June 2010, we will be filling Barcelona with activities to commemorate this key moment in the city’s history, its urban transformation and its presence in the world.

TThe result of the work and efforts put forth by City Hall and other administrative offices and organisations, such as the FUTIC, is a broad, attractive, lively and open programme which we will be filling with activities throughout the year. The Cerdà Year hopes to combine reflection, discovery and creation with festivity, cohabitation and participation; i.e. the way Barcelona is turned into a true city.

FFor to contemplate Cerdà is to contemplate Barcelona. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since the Plan was approved, but the challenges in the times of Cerdà continue to be challenges today. Just like 150 years ago, in the words of another one of the great mind of our times, “Barcelona is in a time of bustling, all out transformation”. The people were at the heart of the action behind the Cerdà Plan, and we conticontinue to build Barcelona starting with the people today. The Barcelona that cried “Down with the walls!” keeps this ambition alive and is looking to launch a new phase in its metropolitan reality.

Cerdà wanted to make Barcelona great, to transform the city in order to transform society. Today, we are the heirs to his spirit and stand up for the idea that Barcelona is great when its people enjoy better living.

TThe Cerdà Year provides the perfect opportunity to highlight the city as a solution to the challenges in our society. We would also like to use the Cerdà Year to express our pride in being a part of Barcelona. For the Barcelona of today is a collective project which all of us build together: architects, town planners, creators and citizens.

WWe are all called upon to participate in this celebration. We have a year ahead of us that we hope to end the best way possible: conquering the new Diagonal, which all of us consider to be the best homage to Ildefons Cerdà and his Plan.

Jordi HereuMayor of Barcelona

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