"Barcelona has a strategic position in Europe" by Ronei Kolesny
Ronei Kolesny, 52, is Brazilian from Porto Alegre, father of Sophia, and married to Neil Clegg. He arrived in Barcelona in 1998 and currently splits his life between Sitges and the Cotswolds, having also lived in Rio de Janeiro. He is the founder of VERV.ONE, a real estate and project management consultancy based in Barcelona, specializing in high-end properties and the comprehensive management of residential projects.
Why did you choose Barcelona?
The beauty of the color and the serenity of the Mediterranean captivated me at first sight—it was love at first sight, a true coup de cœur. Barcelona breathes an authentic Mediterranean soul, where creativity dialogues with harmony and life is enjoyed with art, culture, and style. It is a city that inspires building with passion, celebrating diversity and the freedom to be oneself.
What are the city’s strengths?
Its strategic position in Europe, excellent transportation links, the light that bathes its streets, quality of life, culture, and gastronomy. Barcelona is a city to be enjoyed calmly, with elegance, and with a beauty that does not impose itself, but rather accompanies you.
Which aspects of the city need to be improved? How?
Bureaucracy continues to be an unnecessary obstacle that often discourages investors, especially in the urban development sector. Essential infrastructure is lacking, such as the airport expansion, as well as greater agility in granting building permits. There is also a lack of real support for small entrepreneurs: self-employment fees and the tax burden are excessively high compared to other countries, and there are hardly any incentives for those just starting out. The cost of living is high, and Barcelona should protect and support young entrepreneurs so that they can establish themselves and grow with dignity. The administration should support innovation and investment, not hinder them.
What do you expect from Barcelona in the coming years?
A greener, quieter city, with genuine support for electric vehicles and more people-friendly urban planning. But above all, one that does not lose its Mediterranean essence: its balance of beauty, creativity, and quality of life.
Which city do you consider to be your home city? What do you miss most?
I am and will always be from Barcelona, but also a Carioca. From Rio, I miss the joy of the people and their ease in adapting to change. From England, the serenity and calm. I live between these three worlds: emotion, reason, and light.
