«The new generations must work toward the sustainable growth of Barcelona», by Alba Domenech Sanmiquel

The New Barcelona Post speaks this month with Alba Domenech Sanmiquel, one of the young participants in Barcelona Global’s Leadership and City program, Barcelona 2040. A graduate in Business Administration and Management, with a master’s degree in Auditing, Advanced Accounting, and Executive Development, Domenech has accumulated more than 13 years of experience at KPMG, where she currently holds the position of Senior Manager Senior Manager in audit. With offices in more than 145 countries and over 275,000 employees, KPMG provides auditing, legal, financial, and business advisory services.

The aim of this interview series is to give this new generation of leaders a chance to share their vision on the future Barcelona they aspire to, as well as their impactful proposals to improve the city.

What do you expect from the Barcelona of 2040?

I hope that by 2040, Barcelona will have evolved into a Smart City model, a leader in sustainable growth and innovation, as well as a global benchmark in tourism, supported by infrastructure that ensures a balance enabling a high quality of life that is affordable for all its citizens, a city where everyone wants to live and work. Barcelona needs to believe in itself. It must believe that it is a reference city, one of the best places in the world to work and live. It has already demonstrated its ability to host major events such as the 1992 Olympic Games, still considered by many as the best (or among the best) in history, or the recent America’s Cup. As a city, it needs to embrace that confidence. For all these reasons, I hope that by 2040, Barcelona will be a city without complexes; self-assured and full of character.

Which city would you compare Barcelona to?

Barcelona is an idyllic environment that is hard to compare: sea, mountains, pleasant climate, and a Mediterranean diet, along with some of the world’s most prestigious universities and business schools; and still (though we don’t know for how long) a more affordable cost of living than other leading European cities. All this makes it an ideal setting for startups and technology hubs, attracting talent from around the world. I would compare Barcelona to cities like Amsterdam, a clear example of urban sustainability and quality of life. This city, while touristic, stands out for being technologically advanced, highly focused on the environment and social well-being. At the same time, Barcelona could also be compared to other European cities rich in history, although it is and will remain unique in its cultural, gastronomic, architectural, and innovative richness, as well as its physical beauty.

Which city model do you think Barcelona should resemble?

Barcelona should move towards a Smart City model, in which it combines advanced technological solutions to efficiently manage available resources without losing its identity and essence. Barcelona must address the pressures of mass tourism to ensure that economic growth does not come at the expense of residents’ quality of life.

What is the main challenge Barcelona must address in the coming years?

The main challenge for Barcelona is to transform its infrastructure and services to adapt to new sustainability and technology demands, allowing the city to absorb its growth. In addition, it must address the pressures of mass tourism to ensure that economic development does not come at the expense of residents’ quality of life or their access to housing and other essential city services.

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

The new generations have a crucial role to play in the development of Barcelona, working toward achieving sustainable growth for the city. We must focus on creating technological solutions that address current urban challenges, such as orderly expansion, while also maintaining and strengthening the Barcelona brand. We are fortunate to live in a city with a pleasant climate, rich natural surroundings, and a strong economic foundation. Our task is to learn from previous generations and continue growing, preserving the city’s legacy, history, origins, and traditions, which ultimately form an essential part of its identity.

What business sectors do you think Barcelona should invest in?

Barcelona stands out for its diverse business landscape, with multiple sectors that serve as key pillars and drivers of the city’s economic growth, many of them interconnected. Among these, I believe Barcelona should continue to invest in strategic areas such as technology, especially artificial intelligence. At the same time, the city should keep developing its potential in sectors like sustainable tourism, which remains a fundamental pillar of its economy.