"With regional autonomy granted in 1980, Catalan culture was revitalised after years of repression. For the first time, Catalan design became a presence on the international scene while architects concentrated on the enrichment of the public sector. It is this focus on public space that has been the unifying factor in the recent architecture of Barcelona." "Hosting the 1992 Olympics jump-started large-scale transformation. Twelve 'new centres' were interconnected and the waterfront was transformed into a 4-kilometre promenade; new cultural institutions were created. Post-Olympics, mega-scale developments are set against huge housing developments, high rises, shopping centres, multi-use containers, theme parks, and exurban commercial zones driven by private investment." This new guide provides an in-depth account of Barcelona's architectural renaissance, sets out the background to the city's development and covers all the recent significant developments in and around the city.