268 The Barcelona Region’s land mosaic
would continue as a productive setting for the park. Overall quality of life would
noticeably rise.
Two of myexperiences there are shared. First, I saw the exact spot where
Barcelona gets 40 % of its water, and despite the adjacent water-treatment facil-
ity, I will continue drinking bottled water. Second, nearby I was treated to a
view of a dozen species of beautiful water birds in the Llobregat, with three
flamingos standing tall. Unforgettable.
Finally, a symbol or flagship identity for the great park is useful. For exam-
ple, the ships of history tied the city and its river to the Mediterranean and
theworld. The park could highlight huge concrete-and-steel Greek, Roman,
Spanish, Columbus’, and Catalan ships facing up the Llobregat, as if ‘‘at anchor
on the floodplain,” and for the public to walk up on. Clearly visible to Montjuic,
Collserola, and Llobregat West, as well as to highway motorists, train travelers,
and airport travelers, even at night, the Great Park ‘‘BarcaBarcos” would grab
attention and be memorable.Three plan options for the region
Three plans are presented for the GBRegion as a whole (Forman 2004a).
A‘‘Solid Plan” is considered to be the least ambitious plan that warrants reason-
able confidence of meeting the objectives at the beginning of this report. The
‘‘ Most-promising Plan” is stronger (yet within a feasibility constraint), contains
more flexibility and stability, and seems relatively certain to attain the objec-
tives. Finally, the ‘‘Minimal Plan” is, as suggested, considered to be the minimal
solution that may attain the objectives, but success is less certain. The Solid
Plan is summarized in some detail, and then the three plans with solutions are
briefly compared.The Solid Plan and a comparison with alternatives
The following are 15 major dimensions of the Solid Plan:(1) Tenlarge emeralds widely distributed across the GBRegion are the crown
jewels of natural systems and nature, providing numerous resources to
people, from water supply to flood control, biodiversity, and heritage
values.
(2) The emeralds are interconnected with several types of connections, thus
providing for wildlife movement, people walking/hiking routes, and sta-
bility for biodiversity through time and surprises.
(3) Six large different food-producing areas are protected and provide sta-
bility for the future.