Roca Group has announced Roca City Gavà-Viladecans, an ambitious urban regeneration initiative that will transform underused industrial land in the municipalities of Gavà and Viladecans into an eco-district focused on innovation and sustainability. This project underscores Roca's long-standing commitment to responsible urban development and social progress.
Having established itself in Gavà more than a century ago and later in Viladecans, Roca has played a key role in the area's economic growth. Industrial transformations in recent decades have left significant underutilised spaces, which Roca City will now revitalise. The project is described as 'urban regeneration, a new way of "city-making," and the result of over a century of 'Roca commitment' to society.'
Roca City has received initial approval from the Metropolitan Council of the Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona (AMB) and will span 32 hectares—6 in Gavà and 26 in Viladecans. Of the buildable area, 40% will be dedicated to housing, amounting to over 2,700 residences, with a mix of 60% free-market housing and 40% social housing. At least half of the social housing will be designated for rental.
The remaining 60% will be dedicated to economic activity and mixed-use spaces, including office buildings for Roca-affiliated companies, Industry 4.0 and innovation hubs, co-working spaces, and start-up incubators within the Roca Group Ventures ecosystem. Additionally, a global knowledge centre will serve as a reference point for cutting-edge technologies in construction and industry.
The project will also feature Roca's new global corporate headquarters, exhibition spaces, a historical museum, and a training centre for Roca's 20,000 employees, clients, and industry professionals. To support new lodging needs, plans include a residential-hotel zone with a maximum buildable area of 12,000 m² per municipality (totalling 24,000 m²).
Roca City has been designed in collaboration with Batlleiroig, a renowned architectural firm specialising in urban planning.
Water and green spaces as unifying elements
A key feature of the project is an 8-hectare urban park, restoring open-air watercourses and enhancing biodiversity. 23% of the total area will be dedicated to green spaces, integrating sustainable drainage systems to optimise water management.
The project also includes two major municipal facilities: one in Roca's historic headquarters in Gavà, preserving industrial heritage, and another on a 9,000 m² plot in Viladecans. Meanwhile, Roca will maintain its industrial activity on 26% of the land, housing its global headquarters, knowledge and innovation centre, and fully digitalised, emission-free production facilities.
As part of its decarbonisation strategy, Roca Group will fully electrify its industrial operations at Roca City. This includes an electric kiln for sanitary porcelain production and a fully electrified tap manufacturing plant, with renewable energy sources, including photovoltaic panels on facility rooftops.
Sustainable mobility and energy efficiency
Roca City will enhance connectivity with a new bridge over the railway line, linking it to the urban road network. Plans include an underground car park connected to the ADIF train station, 2 km of new cycle lanes, and prioritisation of pedestrian-friendly spaces.
The project will integrate self-sufficient energy solutions, promote sustainable construction, and further reduce carbon emissions, reinforcing Roca Group's commitment to sustainability and climate resilience for future generations.
More information:
Roca Group
www.rocagroup.com