The compact Mediterranean city is undoubtedly synonymous with the sustainable and libeble city. Barcelona, constructed in a relatively small area of 92 (square?) km, with a density of 16,000 inhabitants per square kilometer -still one of the highest in Europe-, represents a model that serves to put into question the relationship between the compact city and its administration. It is an administration that, up until Ildefonso Cerda's 1859 [ensanche] urbanization project, has been understood as "forthcoming developments" leading to a compact and complex city. Nowadays the first steps towards urban sustainability should include planning tools, understood as the supports that allow for forthcoming developments. The big challenge for new master plans is to introduce progress made in other disciplines -far removed from strictly urban roots or disciplines-, highlighting those innovations that stress the sustainability of those planning instruments. Thus, for a while now, urban planning has incorporated urban ecology recommendations, aiming for compacity, allowing for denser and more energy efficient urban patterns, clearly departing from low density, extensive models. In the same way, the introduction of generous proportions of complexity or a higher diversity of uses and activities makes it possible to move away from the unintentionally single use functionality of exclusively residential areas. Mixed patterns promote social integration and diversity.
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