The Besòs River has long been a vital water source for Barcelona, but contamination has plagued it since the 1970s.
Rapid urban and industrial development along its banks has worsened the issue, threatening both the city’s freshwater supply and the ecosystems that rely on the river.
Because Barcelona depends heavily on surface water, protecting the Besòs River is critical for the city’s environmental and human well-being.
Findings from the 2023 study
A 2023 study, “Besòs reviving: Harmonizing Urban Landscapes and River Health through Nature,” examined the connection between pollution, land use patterns, and the river’s distinctive morphological features, which shape both ecosystems and human activities along its banks.
The study drew on earlier research that highlighted the relationship between land use and pollution, while also exploring nature-based solutions to mitigate these issues.
Over the past 50 years, urban and industrial developments near the river have doubled, correlating closely with rising pollution levels. Using geospatial modeling and satellite data, researchers analyzed both macro- and micro-scales of the Besòs River:
- Macro-scale analysis: This large-scale view highlighted how land use and vulnerable catchments—areas sensitive to natural and human disturbances—affect water quality. It provided a holistic perspective on how urban growth influences the river system.
- Micro-scale analysis: This detailed approach visualized individual river sections, each with unique morphographic features ranging from natural formations to artificial alterations.
Together, these methods identified where water accumulates and pinpointed opportunities for intervention, such as designated treatment zones to improve water quality before discharge into the river.
Nature-based solutions for river restoration
The study recommended strategies at both scales, emphasizing the integration of nature-based solutions (NbS):
- Micro-scale solutions: Phytoremediation techniques—using living plants to clean soil, air, and water—were proposed to reduce hazardous pollutants.
- Macro-scale solutions: Urban planning could transform vacant spaces into green areas, reforest degraded zones, establish blue-green infrastructure, and create ecological corridors to shield the river from pollution.
These approaches envision Barcelona’s urban fabric as a canvas, painted with greenery and natural buffers that both protect the river and enhance the quality of life for residents.
GreenInCities: Barcelona as a climate innovation hub
Barcelona is a leading participant in GreenInCities, an EU-funded initiative under the European Cities Mission. Alongside Prato, Athens, Helsinki, and Nova Gorica, Barcelona represents a hub for experimenting with nature-based and technological solutions to climate-related challenges.
The Barcelona project focuses on the lower Besòs River, a section facing severe ecological stress but also holding critical importance as a water source. According to GreenInCities, the project aims to transform the area by:
- Creating an observation point and an open-air laboratory
- Developing naturalized regions that function as climate shelters
- Prioritizing both human and non-human needs
These interventions are designed to reduce heat island effects, provide thermal relief during extreme weather, expand shaded areas, and promote biodiversity. By aligning ecological restoration with social benefits, the project bridges the needs of the environment and the community.
Toward a sustainable future for the Besòs River
Uncontrolled urban and industrial expansion has pushed the Besòs River to an ecological tipping point. The 2023 study demonstrates that integrating nature-based solutions with technological innovation can restore the river’s ecosystems, safeguard freshwater supplies, and foster a healthier balance between human activity and the natural environment.
By reimagining how cities coexist with their rivers, Barcelona has the opportunity not only to clean and protect the Besòs River but also to set a model for sustainable urban water management worldwide.
Sources:
Lert-udompruksa, P. & Arumugam, N. (2023, December 26). Besòs reviving: Harmonizing Urban Landscapes and River Health through Nature. IAAC Blog. Retrieved from https://blog.iaac.net/besos-reviving-harmonizing-urban-landscapes-and-river-health-through-nature/
Barcelona combines technologies to revive threatened river. (2025, June 25). Insite. Retrieved from https://insite.ipwea.org/barcelona-combines-technologies-to-revive-threatened-river/
GreenInCities for urban regeneration: participatory and sustainable greening solutions for all. (2025). GreenInCities. Retrieved from https://www.greenincities.eu/
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