Barcelona has long been recognised as a city that dares to rethink its streets and public spaces. From introducing low emission zones to pioneering superblock urban designs, the city is setting a global benchmark for sustainable, citizen-centred mobility.
In the latest episode of Mobility Redefined, host Dr Kaan Yildizgöz sits down with Joan Bigas, Director of Mobility for the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB). Together, they explore how Barcelona is addressing today’s mobility challenges while preparing for the next wave of innovation.
A Vision Built on Three Pillars: Digitalisation, Decarbonisation, and Governance
Joan Bigas identifies what he calls the “two Ds” — digitalisation and decarbonisation — as the primary forces shaping Barcelona’s mobility future. Digitalisation is transforming the relationship between transport operators, authorities, and passengers. New services, such as vehicle sharing, are reshaping the mobility landscape, while artificial intelligence promises to enhance service planning, disruption management, and customer engagement.
Decarbonisation, meanwhile, tackles the triple goal of improving air quality, reducing energy consumption, and combating climate change. These ambitions require robust governance, the third pillar, to ensure policies are coordinated across the metropolitan area’s 36 municipalities.
Low Emission Zones: Clear Results, Complex Implementation
Barcelona’s low emission zone (LEZ) policy, launched in 2020, has already delivered impressive results — a 30% reduction in pollutant emissions. Initially prompted by the European Commission’s warnings over air quality levels, the LEZ restricts older, more polluting vehicles across Barcelona and neighbouring municipalities.
The process was not without challenges. Deciding which vehicles to restrict and defining the affected areas required careful planning, along with targeted exemptions for people with disabilities or low incomes. Today, 12 municipalities share a common LEZ model, ensuring consistency across the region.
Superblocks: Ambitious but Controversial
Barcelona’s superblock strategy aims to reclaim streets for people, reducing traffic in certain areas and increasing green, pedestrian-friendly spaces. While successful in some districts, the model has proved controversial due to differing views among residents and businesses. Scaling it city-wide remains a challenge.
Decarbonising the Bus Fleet
There are currently around 2000 buses in the metropolitan area (including the city of Barcelona), of which 300 are currently electric. The goal is to phase out all diesel-only buses by 2030, replacing them with electric, hybrid, hydrogen, and natural gas vehicles.
Infrastructure remains a major challenge, particularly for private operators who may lack the facilities to charge large numbers of electric buses. AMB is working to provide public charging depots to support these operators, ensuring that the transition is equitable and efficient.
Regulating Shared Mobility
Barcelona has one of Europe’s most comprehensive regulatory frameworks for motorcycle sharing and micromobility services. The AMB oversees licensing for electric motorcycle-sharing operators (currently 5,000 vehicles in service, potentially rising to 8,000) and manages both municipal and metropolitan electric bike-sharing schemes.
These initiatives not only reduce emissions but also expand access to sustainable travel options, particularly in areas with steep terrain or for older riders. Secure bike lockers at transport hubs further support seamless “last mile” connectivity.
Moving Towards True Multimodality
For AMB, multimodal integration means more than linking services — it’s about improving physical connections between modes, enhancing interchange facilities, and ensuring passengers have the right information at the right time. The long-term goal includes advancing Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platforms that integrate fares and operations across different transport providers.
A Call to Stay Bold
Joan Bigas closes the conversation with a clear message: cities must be ready to meet the urgent demands of climate change. Digitalisation and decarbonisation are not optional; they are essential to shaping a sustainable urban future.
Listen to the Full Conversation
Listen to the full conversation with Joan on the Mobility Redefined podcast to hear more about Barcelona’s pioneering approaches, the lessons learned from ambitious projects, and how governance can be the key to delivering bold, effective mobility policies.