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"Barcelona must adopt its own city model" by Valeria Andrade

"Barcelona must adopt its own city model" by Valeria Andrade

Valeria Andrade, consultant at Anteverti and senior congress specialist for the Smart City Expo World Congress

What do you expect from the Barcelona of 2040?

I believe the city’s growth will lead Barcelona toward a metropolitan reality, increasingly resembling the major cities we aspire to in terms of scale. Still, by 2040, I hope to live in a transformed Barcelona that stands as a benchmark in sustainability, inclusivity, innovation, and creativity, yet retains the essence that makes it a unique place.

With which city would you compare Barcelona to? 

Currently, strategic future projects are underway that position Barcelona alongside other major European cities: the 'Superblocks' plan and the adaptation of the city to include more green, traffic-free spaces align with Paris’s ‘15-minute city’ concept; and the Ciutadella of Knowledge as a hub for knowledge, dissemination, research, and innovation mirrors similar initiatives, such as Oslo’s Oslo Science City.

What model of city do you think Barcelona should be like? 

Barcelona should adopt its own city model, adapting best practices to its unique characteristics and challenges. For example, rethinking the visitor economy as Amsterdam is doing, but also aiming to go a step further in digitalizing city services, like Seoul, to become a 'Smart and Inclusive City.'

What is the main challenge that Barcelona needs to face in the coming years? 

I believe housing has been an unresolved issue for a long time. We can pursue new future strategies and new economic sectors, but if we’re unable to provide affordable housing options for citizens, we will always end up falling behind.

What do you think should be the role of the new generations and their involvement in the development of the city? 

The new generations must regain lost hope and revive the city’s spirit. This means getting to know Barcelona, its neighborhoods, museums, theaters, parks, and restaurants, and engaging in making it better. In an era dominated by individualism, we cannot lose that collaborative spirit that has driven us to create and promote the best moments in our history.

What business sectors do you think Barcelona needs to focus on?

I believe the commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship that has been underway for some time is positioning Barcelona in a league we might not have considered possible just a few years ago. We can continue showcasing our potential in sectors like science and knowledge, creative industries, and other impact-driven economies, thereby continuing to attract talent and business.

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