The town council of Barcelona has pulled out all stops this year to prepare the city for a splendid Christmas 2009 and 
New Year.
According to a market study conducted with executives of Fortune 500 companies, Barcelona has been voted the European city with the best quality of life for the eigth year in a row, and the fourth preferred European city for business negotiations.
The cagatio of Catalonia
These accolades are well deserved by the present Town Council, as following are some of the 350 finished projects that contributed to these distinctions: Half of the total and large number of proposed public works, all aimed at improving public spaces and amenities, have been finished in time for Christmas.
These include improvements to public spaces; modernisation of public facilities, for example public libraries, squares, new surfaces on streets and pavements; renovation of building façades; an improved and upgraded public spaces cleaning and waste disposal service using only vehicles that run on gas, biodiesel or electricity; amongst many more.
Another important addition to the safety and security of all inhabitants of Barcelona was the completion of a two year program and introduction last month, November 2009, of 750 new policemen and women into the Guàrdia Urbana unit, the urban police. The objective is prevention through a bigger number and presence of police on the streets of the city, with the aid of the latest technological equipment to detect and prevent any conflict at an early stage.
All that is left to do now is enjoy the festive atmosphere of life on and off the streets of Barcelona: the colourful Christmas lights on the streets and avenues and particularly this year see the giant lit up pasta shells in various places in the city, Christmas festivities, Nativity scenes, street theatre, markets, concerts and much more.
