The transformative effect of the America’s Cup for the Port of Barcelona

David Pino highlights some of the most significant and complex ones, directly or indirectly related to the installation of the bases in the city:

• Moll de Pescadors: "It is an area where specific activities take place, which must be respected and must have continuity. All the structures that will be put in place will be new, modern and very different from the current ones, and will be managed by the Fishermen's Guild."
• Transfer of the operations from the Barcelona Nord pier to Adossat and the change of cruise ship and Baleària operations, speeding up the agreements reached with Barcelona City Council in 2018 regarding the moving of cruise ship activity away from the city centre. 
• The refurbishment of the Tinglados, which will house the Port of Barcelona's hospitality facilities.
• The Nova Bocana complex, which includes several actions such as the construction of an elevated promenade, the new Mirador building, which will connect the new promenade with the Moll de Ribera, and the development of the esplanades, currently in disuse.

In total, 120 million euros will be invested in these and other actions. Pino explains that the deadlines for the completion of the set of interventions will be carried out as planned for each one of them.

What transformations were carried out in other America’s Cup venues?

David Pino explains that they consulted with other previous America's Cup venues to learn from their experience, as well as with the organisers. "We have asked, listened and learned. It has helped us to better understand what the America's Cup needs, especially the participating teams, although we have given it a twist to adapt it to the Barcelona style. This learning is reflected in, for example, the fact that the investment will be 95% profitable," he says.

Pino goes on to cite the cities that have served as examples for the organisation of the 37th America's Cup:

Auckland: America's Cup without barriers

The shared vision of the Government, Auckland Council and Emirates Team New Zealand for the 36th America's Cup was an inclusive event, with a waterfront that allowed an accessible experience  connected the public to the boats, bases and events, in a linear village that stretched along the waterfront from the East Viaduct, to North Wharf and Wynyard Point.

To achieve this visibility and connection, 12 tanks were removed from Wynyard Wharf and 19th century industrial infrastructure was released from the urban space. A new breakwater was also placed alongside Hobson's Wharf to make the waters of the harbour outside the viaduct calm enough for ships to launch safely.

In Auckland's newly opened Viaduct Harbour, where the village was located, the America's Cup sailing facilities were integrated into a new mixed-use urban extension for the city, where the 2000 and 2003 America's Cup was held. 

“From Auckland we learnt that we had to make things very easy and try to be very agile in, for example, managing permits," Pino explains.

Valencia: complete regeneration of the port

Since Valencia was selected as the venue for the 32nd edition, the Valencia 2007 Consortium took on the main task of remodelling the port of Valencia to make it the best setting for the nautical event.

The result of this redevelopment was the Juan Carlos I Royal Marina, located right in the centre of Valencia, to the north of the commercial port and next to the Malvarrosa beach, which was transformed into a large space for the public.

The Veles e Vents building, designed by architect David Chipperfield, was also built for spectators t and now houses a Michelin-starred restaurant and various spaces for different uses.

"We had several conversations with Valencia about their experience. In urban planning terms, they made very good use of the event, with the opening of the port. In a way, their America's Cup was our Olympics," he says.

San Francisco, democratisation of regattas

The 34th edition held in the Californian city was the first time in history that the races were visible from multiple locations, both on land and at sea, with the start and finish lines located on the northwest waterfront. 

The presence of additional boats in the bay waters prompted the installation of a temporary power supply at Pier 27. Large private yachts and race-sponsored vessels were required to use low-emission fuels to reduce environmental impact.

Piers 30-32, which before the event was a concrete slab on crumbling pilings, was transformed into a bayfront amphitheatre and sailing showplace, a revitalised boardwalk that runs along the Bay Bridge to the south of AT&T Park.

"Both in San Francisco and the later edition, held in Bermuda, the democratisation of sailing and the absence of barriers to enjoy the event was paramount," recalls Pino.

As can be seen, the America's Cup is a major event that drives and revolutionises the ports and cities that host it, and leaves a technological, urban and management imprint. This is also the case for the Port and Barcelona because, as the Port Vell manager explains, the teams, made up of between 100 and 140 people, are already in the city and he stresses that they have expressed their satisfaction with the bases and their rapid integration with the city, suppliers and other local companies.