*This article is based on information as of January 2026.

1. What is the "Cerda Plan"? Urban surgery for light and air

Escaping suffocating cities

To understand why Barcelona has such an unusual shape, we need to understand the harsh conditions that Barcelona found itself in during the mid-19th century.

At the time, Barcelona was in the midst of the heat of the Industrial Revolution and was literally a "suffocating city." The old town, surrounded by walls dating back to the Middle Ages, was overflowing with workers seeking work, and records from the mid-19th century indicate that the population density reached 856 people per hectare, an abnormally high level of overcrowding—more than twice that of Paris at the same time (less than 400 people).

What happened as a result? High density and a lack of sanitary infrastructure such as water and sewage systems created a breeding ground for epidemics. Statistics from 1837 to 1847 (average for men) show that the average life expectancy of the wealthy was 38.3 years, while that of the poor was an extremely low 19.7 years.

Against this backdrop of a sense of stagnation, the removal of the city walls became an urgent issue for the sake of public health and the survival of its citizens, even before the city's development, as symbolized by the book "Abajo las Murallas" (Tear Down the Walls) written by the physician Pedro Felipe Monrau.

Urban Planning as a Science

The demolition of the city walls was initiated by royal decree in 1854, and then in 1859 a public competition was held and the architect Rovira's design was popular among the citizens, but in the end the central government was forced to adopt the "scientific grid plan" by civil engineer Ildefonso Cerda, which was put into operation in 1860.

Cerda redefined cities not as symbols of authority but as "machines for living in." He conducted thorough statistical research and calculated that "each person needs six cubic meters of fresh air per hour to live a healthy life." The "Cerda Plan" translated this figure into the physical structure of the city.

Manzana geometry

Cerda proposed a "grid structure without a center" consisting of an infinite series of 113.3m square city blocks (manzanas). Of particular note is the "chamfered" shape, with the four corners cut off at 45-degree angles.

The length of each side, the width of the road, and the height of the buildings were all designed based on scientific evidence, and the distinctive 45-degree corners were explained as a result of considerations such as ensuring visibility at intersections and the turning radius of the steam trams that were planned at the time.

2. Barcelona and Sapporo/Toyako: A Comparative Analysis of Grid Cities

Interestingly, Hokkaido's urban planning, especially the grid pattern of Sapporo, also has a grid structure that was planned by the Hokkaido Development Commission during the Meiji period. Here, we will quantitatively compare the grids of Barcelona and Hokkaido.

Comparison of Japanese and European grid structure data

*Please scroll horizontally to view the table below.

As can be seen from the table above, the block sizes of Barcelona and Sapporo (Hokkaido) are miraculously almost the same, despite being designed according to different standards, the metric system and the shakkanho system. However, the crucial difference is in the way corners are treated.

In Japan, corner cutting is generally based on development standards and ordinances that require vehicles to turn at different speeds. In contrast, Barcelona's chamfers are enormous, with some sources describing the hypotenuse of the corner as approximately 20 meters (or the cut length), and by boldly cutting away the corner of the block, the intersection itself is defined as a "public space (plaza)."

Visual comparison of block shapes (image graph)

A simple graph shows how much the corners of the blocks have been cut and the resulting difference in "spatial margin."

*Please scroll horizontally to view the graph below.

3. The merits and demerits of "corner cutting" and its modern reevaluation

This huge corner cut is the greatest innovation of the Cerda Plan. It transformed the intersection from a simple "passing point" into an "octagonal plaza." However, there are clear advantages and disadvantages to applying this structure to Hokkaido as is. Let's organize them from various perspectives.

Modern Barcelona's challenge: "Superblocks"

Furthermore, Barcelona is currently conducting a social experiment called "Superillas" that utilizes this grid structure. This involves grouping together nine 3x3 city blocks, restricting through traffic on the internal roads for general vehicles, and slowing down speeds within the area (such as to 10-20 km/h or less).

This will transform roads from "space for cars" into "living spaces for people," reducing air pollution and noise and reviving lost community ties. This paradigm shift from "car-centric to people-centric" is in line with Japan's promotion of walkable cities.

4. Application to Toyako Town: From ventilation holes to "snow pockets"

So how can we apply this knowledge to Toyako Town, our field of activity? Toyako Onsen Town is also a tourist destination with a planned grid structure.
The key is to reframe your goal: instead of "letting the wind through," you want to "hold the snow."

Absorbing the cost of snow removal with space

For Hokkaido's local governments, the cost of snow removal and disposal in the winter is one of the biggest financial strains. Particularly problematic are the high piles of snow near intersections. Not only do these piles obstruct the view of drivers and pedestrians and are a major cause of accidents, but they also require significant labor, fuel costs, and CO2 emissions for snow removal (the task of transporting snow long distances by truck).

This is where the Cerda-style giant corner cut comes in. By expanding the intersection corner from the current legal standard in an expansive and operational manner, the area becomes a "snow pocket."

During the winter, snowplows can temporarily push snow into these pockets. This allows for clear visibility at intersections (site triangles) without narrowing the road width, and reduces the frequency of snow removal by trucks. This is truly a "structural design" that prevents capital outflows (snow removal costs).

A "tourist terrace" in summer and an "infrastructure buffer" in winter

The true value of this approach lies in its adaptability depending on the season, making it possible to use the space in a dual-cropping manner to suit Hokkaido's four seasons.

"Accommodation tax" as a source of revenue and investment in the future

Such urban structural reforms require funding. This is where the "accommodation tax" comes into focus. Hokkaido has already announced that it will be introduced on April 1, 2026 (Reiwa 8), and Toyako Town is also preparing to introduce the tax at the same time as the prefectural tax.

By investing the collected tax revenue in the development of these "variable public spaces" -- such as burying electrical wires underground, reorganizing city blocks, and widening sidewalks -- rather than simply spending it on road maintenance and repairs, it will be possible to reduce snow removal costs (cost reduction) and improve tourism value (top-line up) in the long term. Isn't this what strategic investment aiming to maximize capital looks like?

"Reducing Building Size" and "Creating Open Spaces" as Measures Against Vacant Houses

Furthermore, in this context, vacant houses that arise due to population decline can also be seen as an opportunity. Local governments and regional corporations could strategically acquire and demolish vacant houses on corner lots, and develop the areas into "corner-cutting plazas."

The land readjustment method that Cerda used in the past, when cities were expanding, can now be applied to "downsizing" in an era when cities are shrinking. This will address the issue of depopulation rather than overcrowding, providing residents with light, ventilation, and a safe place to store snow. This is not a "retreat," but rather "right-sizing" to a sustainable size.

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