Barcelona is facing a worrying loss of its cultural and social identity, falling victim to an urban model that prioritizes internationalization and mass tourism over the needs of residents and the survival of the local commercial fabric.

An article published in eldiario.es highlights how the dramatic rise in commercial rents is «suffocating» small businesses in central areas. A striking and painful example of this trend is the case of Llibreria Sant Jordi in the Gothic Quarter. Founded in 1983, this historic bookstore now faces a rent increase from €800 to €8,000 per month—a figure that starkly illustrates the unbearable pressure facing many traditional businesses.

This disproportionate hike is not an isolated case but rather the tip of the iceberg of a systemic trend that is gradually displacing essential neighborhood businesses such as haberdasheries, hardware stores, fishmongers, or cobblers. As the article notes, this dynamic makes it clear that only large economic players—international franchises, chain stores, or souvenir shops catering to mass tourism—can afford these inflated prices, driven by intense real estate pressure and speculation in prime locations.

This urban transformation is not coincidental. It reflects the deliberate influence of policies and powerful actors—such as certain business lobbies—that have pushed to turn the city into an international showcase. Under the guise of attracting foreign investment and major events through public-private collaboration, a model has been promoted that, in practice, leads to the displacement of both residents and deeply rooted, long-standing businesses, as exemplified by the case of Llibreria Sant Jordi.

In this context, the role of the Barcelona City Council is being called into question. Far from curbing this trend, which sacrifices the city’s unique character, its actions are perceived by some as insufficient—or even complicit. The proliferation of low-quality souvenir shops in iconic neighborhoods—often operating with questionable licenses and despite existing regulations—reveals a glaring lack of effective control, in stark contrast to the vulnerability of authentic, community-based commerce.

Although tourism brings in significant revenue, the long-term cost is enormous: the transformation of Barcelona into a homogenized theme park. Unless decisive measures are implemented to protect the urban fabric, regulate commercial rents, and ensure the city remains livable for its residents, Barcelona will continue to lose its essence as a community—falling prey to a model that values short-term economic gain over its soul and a sustainable future.

#SaveBarcelona
#BarcelonaForResidents
#NotForSale
#ProtectLocalShops
#TourismKillsCities
#StopUrbanSpeculation
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