GATCPAC
In 1931, Barcelona experience the fall of their monarchy and an arrival of the revolutionary Second Republic (1931-1939). Within this new period a group of Catalan architects, lead by Josep Lluis Sert, created an urban development group named GATCPAC (Catalan Artists and Technicians Group for the Progress of Contemporary Architecture), with hopes of transforming the city by replacing old neighborhoods with new ones. The GATCPAC plan that was developed included five major areas of concentration for the reformation of Barcelona.
With increasing immigrant populations entering the city in the 1920s, Barcelona was soon on its way to experiencing housing shortages. In the 1930s the population had reached one million and housing shortages reached 80,000 by 1950s [1]. It is noted that part of the population increase was from workers who came to assist in the growth of the subway system and development of the International Exposition. Unfortunately, while GATCPAC had the support from the general public to move forward in reforming urban development the Civil War in 1936 brought these plans to a halt and were later thrown out due to the fall of the city. While most plans were thrown out, GATCPAC has been recognized for the numerous apartment buildings they were able to develop throughout Barcelona, most famous the Casa Bloc Apartment Block. This apartment building was designed and developed through the years of 1932-1936. Built as duplexes, and for the working class, the prototype had four stair wells that connected to corridors, kitchens and services for those living at Casa Bloc [1][2].
- The sanitation of the old city.
- Immediate cessation of the growth of ‘Ensanche’ (nineteenth-century city expansion) and the determination of a new lay-out, more in accordance with the needs of the city.
- Classification of the city into functional zones - housing, industry etc. and immediate limitation of the so-called ‘mixed zones’.
- The linking of the city, via an extension of the Gran Via, with the coastal area of Castelldefels, to be used as a large maritime zone for recreation and relaxation.
- The modification of municipal regulations in whatever way necessary to achieve the above. [1]
With increasing immigrant populations entering the city in the 1920s, Barcelona was soon on its way to experiencing housing shortages. In the 1930s the population had reached one million and housing shortages reached 80,000 by 1950s [1]. It is noted that part of the population increase was from workers who came to assist in the growth of the subway system and development of the International Exposition. Unfortunately, while GATCPAC had the support from the general public to move forward in reforming urban development the Civil War in 1936 brought these plans to a halt and were later thrown out due to the fall of the city. While most plans were thrown out, GATCPAC has been recognized for the numerous apartment buildings they were able to develop throughout Barcelona, most famous the Casa Bloc Apartment Block. This apartment building was designed and developed through the years of 1932-1936. Built as duplexes, and for the working class, the prototype had four stair wells that connected to corridors, kitchens and services for those living at Casa Bloc [1][2].
Additional Images - Sans Apartment Building 1933-1936 and Jacinto Esteva Apartment Building 1935-1940
References
[1] Wynn, M. (1979). Barcelona: Planning and change 1854-1977. 50, 185-203.
[2] Casellas, A. (2009). Barcelona's Urban Landscape: The Historical Making of a Tourist Product. Journal of Urban History, 35(6), 815-832.
Media
[1] GATCPAC. Culturcat. Generalitat de Catalunya. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2015, from http://www.gencat.cat/culturcat/portal/site/culturacatalana/menuitem.18f7f9048d2d4d88f94a9710b0c0e1a0/en_GB/index4c79.html?vgnextoid=d07cef2126896210VgnVCM1000000b0c1e0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=d07cef2126896210VgnVCM1000000b0c1e0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=rss&contentid=a5f2110e279d7210VgnVCM1000008d0c1e0aRCRD&nomIPTC1=IPTC560&valorIPTC1=532&nomIPTC2=IPTC507&valorIPTC2=en_GB&newLang=en_GB##ppal#ppal
[2][3][4]CASA BLOC - Josep Lluis Sert. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2015, from http://barcelonaconcept.pl/casa-bloc.html
[5][6][7][8] Gausa, M. (n.d.). Barcelona : A guide to its modern architecture 1860 - 2002.
[1] Wynn, M. (1979). Barcelona: Planning and change 1854-1977. 50, 185-203.
[2] Casellas, A. (2009). Barcelona's Urban Landscape: The Historical Making of a Tourist Product. Journal of Urban History, 35(6), 815-832.
Media
[1] GATCPAC. Culturcat. Generalitat de Catalunya. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2015, from http://www.gencat.cat/culturcat/portal/site/culturacatalana/menuitem.18f7f9048d2d4d88f94a9710b0c0e1a0/en_GB/index4c79.html?vgnextoid=d07cef2126896210VgnVCM1000000b0c1e0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=d07cef2126896210VgnVCM1000000b0c1e0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=rss&contentid=a5f2110e279d7210VgnVCM1000008d0c1e0aRCRD&nomIPTC1=IPTC560&valorIPTC1=532&nomIPTC2=IPTC507&valorIPTC2=en_GB&newLang=en_GB##ppal#ppal
[2][3][4]CASA BLOC - Josep Lluis Sert. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2015, from http://barcelonaconcept.pl/casa-bloc.html
[5][6][7][8] Gausa, M. (n.d.). Barcelona : A guide to its modern architecture 1860 - 2002.