Josep Maria de Porcioles i Colomer

Who was Josep Maria de Porcioles i Colomer?

Josep Maria de Porcioles i Colomer was the mayor of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain for sixteen years, from March 15, 1957 until May 11, 1973, during the dictatorship of Franco. His long administration is associated with the rapid economic and industrial growth of the city during Spain's desarrolisme and unplanned urban sprawl in Barcelona to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of immigrants attracted to the city from southern Spain. He was finally forced to retire in 1973 due to neighbourhood protests over the poor quality of the housing in the new areas and lack of social provision, and the speculation and corruption associated with the mayor.