The Barcelona City Council and the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) have approved a collaboration protocol to promote the expansion project of the Mediterranean Center for Marine and Environmental Research on the Barceloneta promenade with the addition of a local, which currently occupies the Opium nightclub. The deputy mayor for Culture of Barcelona, Jordi Martí, celebrated in statements to journalists this Wednesday that the center can be expanded with this new space, which will allow for a “showcase”, along the lines that research centers can be opened , be cultural and citizen activity spaces. Other locations will be added later.
For Martí, the agreement “consolidates” the research pole of the central coast of Barcelona while, according to him, it improves the difficulties generated by the high concentration of nightlife activities in this area.
This ambitious project to expand the CSIC facilities plans to occupy a potential area of 4,330 m2since the General State Administration (AGE) will cede the premises that were in front of the CMIMA in order to create an entire scientific and technological research park that will help promote culture and scientific knowledge of citizens.
boost science
The protocol responds to the agreement signed between the President of the Government and the Mayor of Barcelona on February 7, 2020 to promote Barcelona’s cultural and scientific capital status, as well as the desire to continue developing the city “as a top-level scientific hub “.
In addition, it develops the measure of the municipal government that is committed to promoting urban projects that “catalyze” research and innovation activities in the city.
The project foresees that the General Administration of the State (AGE) cede to the CSIC the premises that are in front of the marine research centerreaching a final potential area of 4,330 square meters with the two phases foreseen by the plan.
Both the CSIC and the Barcelona City Council share the desire to create a new space in this space linked to the scientific popularization and use it as a connection between the science and people. This new space, therefore, will be characterized by its marked agenda of knowledge transfer and citizen outreach activities, especially on issues related to biology and the marine environment.
Two phases
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This project to expand the CSIC facilities will be carried out in two phases. The first phase will take place in the premises located just in front of the center, and which until now had disco activity at number 51 of the Barceloneta promenade. The forecast is to immediately start the provisional use of this 2,565 m2 space while the project and the bidding for the works progress. Once this first phase is completed, the project will be extended to the two adjoining premises, of 690 m2 and 1.75 m2 respectively. These spaces will be used to encourage scientific culture activities of the other CSIC institutes in Barcelona, the metropolitan area and Catalonia, and aim to promote scientific knowledge among citizens.
The City Council and the CSIC want to set up a monitoring commission made up of at least three representatives from each institution, and with the aim of meeting at least once a quarter to monitor the protocol.