Pollutant-absorbing pavements and ambient lighting will turn a Barcelona bridge into a green urban plaza.

Spanish architecture firm BCQ is upgrading the Sarajevo Bridge in the Catalan capital as part of a strategy to turn it into an attractive gateway to the city.

The new pavement will use a photocatalytic concrete surface, a self-cleaning material that absorbs air pollutants, converting them into harmless substances. Applied to white or grey cement, the removed pollution is then washed away by the rain.

Photo-luminescent elements within the concrete provide a source of ambient light, absorbing solar energy during the day and releasing it at night.

The upgraded bridge will be energy self-sufficient, using solar panels that generate the energy consumed by new LED lighting. Gardens and pergolas will also feature on the bridge, enhancing the appearance of the refreshed urban space.