The central years of the 1960's can be considered as the beginning of the de-industrialization of Poblenou.
The emergence of the Zona Franca as a new centre of industrial activity, with a new location of the industrial activity in Barcelona, involved a significant blow to Poblenou. It is important to mention that, between 1963 and 1990, Poblenou lost more than 1.300 factories.
While the industries started to leave the San Martín district, its neighbourhoods began to neglect. The factories were emptied and abandoned to degradation, and the spaces began to be settled by activities related to the transport; a fact that contributed to the ultimate degradation of this urban ground.