It's just as you said, a lab experiment. Remember that Maragall, when he worked under Franco's mayor Porcioles, had already spent time "learning" in the US, and for decades after during his mandates and after all of Barcelona's mayors have had that type of international unelected cabal-like organization connections. It's been their sales pitch as a posterchild of international progressivism (socialism), in fact.

I could write a fucking book, but meh. 

 By the way, I'm born and raised in the old town -- six generations documented in this city. I can speak from direct experience. I chose to come back only because I am a literal expat, meaning I am employed by a foreign company with expat conditions. Otherwise, as a local? No fucking way.