The Barcelona-El Prat Airport Master Plan is a development project commissioned by Aena, a Spanish state-owned airport operator, that will create a world-class airport experience for Barcelona’s rapidly increasing number of passengers.

Arup provided services to develop this vision and a detailed real estate masterplan including: urban and infrastructure design, airport and economic planning and environmental consultancy, working to create an airport that is both smart and sustainable.

Our masterplan for this 20-year development includes a focus on opportunities in e-commerce and e-logistics, and uses systems which will handle processes at optimum efficiency. That includes an e-commerce hub to efficiently handle cargo and distribution processes through the application of robotics, which in turn opens the facility to high-value activities such as commercial space and data centres. Our plan also includes Air City, a mixed-use development with commercial space, retail opportunities and hotels, and a hybrid space of research, production, market launch and distribution called Industry 4.0 + Aeronautic. 

Arup’s masterplan facilitated a participated design process through which different stakeholders contribute and participate to achieve the highest consensus possible for Barcelona’s and Spain’s most impressive airport.

Benefits beyond the airport

The Barcelona-El Prat plan not only maximises the benefits for the airport, but also the surrounding territory. This includes the preservation of 215 hectares of environmentally protected land and agricultural spaces of the Llobregat delta, with wellbeing and quality at the centre of the design. The 328 hectares of airport territory itself provide potential for the whole metropolitan area, as a platform to integrate industry, technological services and transport.

Render of the Barcelona-El Prat business farm

The Barcelona- El Prat business farm will have wellbeing and quality of life are at the centre of the design.

Render of the Barcelona-El Prat logistics hub

Barcelona- El Prat's Logistic Park will be delivered through environmentally sound design, with low greenhouse gas emissions and high electrification models.

Render of what the Barcelona-El Prat commerce area may look like

The Barcelona- El Prat E-commerce area's activities will include commercial space, R+D and data centres.

Barcelona-El Prat design 4.0

Barcelona- El Prat Industry design 4.0. The area will be a living laboratory of the advanced activities developed in the airport.