TRANSPORT & DOMICILE June, 2017 | Page 30

TRAM  In 1872 first tram service was opened in Barcelona. Tram networks have been rapidly developed up to 1920 when struggle between tram and motor vehicles ap- peared. Company crisis of the following years and the Civil War left a mark on tram network operation with the lack of investments and highly degraded tram infrastruc- ture stopped operating in 1971. Remarkably the tram was reintroduced in 1997 as a solution for dense areas remained outside the metro plan. 29 km of the tram network is operating nowadays on the opposite sides of the city waiting to be connected. However the problem of inserting the tram line on the most congested part of Avenida Diagonal did not give it a chance to be implemented.  Project proposes 3 extensions of the tram network:  - connect independent parts of the tram system with underground tunnels of R2 sud train, which will be less intensely used in upcoming years;  - extend the tram network to the coast line to increase accessibility to public transport infrastructure for districts located on the coast line;  - continue existing T4 line until Estació de França which will be partly used as final Tram station and transformed into an open and accessible transport hub (metro / tram / train). Figure   28 key to map page 30 Transport network on metropolitan level relevant for urban strategy tram train tram network extension TRANSPORT & DOMICILE: an architectural intervention to integrate transport infrastructure with housing for Barcelona. Efimovich Alina