El Raval - History

  The El Raval neighborhood has its good parts and its sketchy parts, but for the most part it is a beautiful area. It was one of the first parts of the city affected by the renovation plans because of the Olympic Games becuase it used to be a poor area with prostitutes and drug dealers. This all changed when the socialists won the election in 1986. The government either wanted to tear the whole thing down and build a mall similar to la rambla stores or make a social place where they opened hospitals and schools and to attract people from other parts of town, this is what ended up happening.

 

The first goal was to bring young kids into the area and to make a social revival.  This was a success because it is now a safe place where children can play.

Old churches and nuneries were converted into libraries and primary schools, or museums for people to go to. Also the area became well known for art and has  the Foment de les arts I del disseny, which is where fashion shows are held and art exhibitions and also has the contemporary art museum next door. 

Furthermore, in this area is a section of the University of Barcelona, which brought even more young people to this area. The University, which is free to citizens and paid for by the government, is an area where students share there ideas and protest. It is where locals come to know what is happening and to listen to speeches. All the classes are open to all and the students have the city as their campus. 

 This is quite different than my university at home because I have a campus that is separate then the city it is in and also because I, like others in the US live on campus, whereas in Spain they usually live at home. While there are places in the US where the city is the Universities campus, it is not free at all. Schools like NYC or BU are some of the most expensive schools in the US.