Urban renewal with AirClean® decontaminating paving
Located in the Vila Olímpica neighborhood, Avenida Icaria has been the subject of a comprehensive renovation of its central promenade. This intervention responds to a participatory process with neighbors, which proposed maintaining the original structure of the walk but with a substantial improvement in accessibility, lighting, and sustainability. The project has been directed by Miquel Espinet and Antoni Ubach, with management by Copcisa, and has involved the improvement of 8,000 m² of public space.
One of the most innovative elements of this remodeling has been the incorporation of the Llosa Vulcano AirClean® by Breinco (60x40x7 cm format), a photocatalytic paver that reduces atmospheric pollution. Thanks to its technology, pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) are transformed into harmless compounds upon contact with sunlight and water, generating healthier and self-cleaning surfaces without altering the urban aesthetics.
Additionally, tactile paver has been incorporated for visually impaired people, reinforcing the accessibility of the promenade. The tactile paver pieces act as a warning signal at crossing areas or level changes, providing safety and inclusion to the pedestrian layout.
Avenida Icaria, the main axis of Vila Olímpica since 1992, thus regains its vitality as an urban space with a distinct identity, open to daily life, commerce, and pedestrian mobility. It is an example of how design and innovation in paving can enhance the environmental and functional quality of cities.
