"Nighttime governance will be a fundamental part of Barcelona's long-term vision," by Andreina Seijas.

Andreina Seijas, 41, was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, and raised in Caracas. She first moved to Barcelona in 2021 and, after a brief period in Paris, returned to settle there in December 2024. Specialising in nighttime governance—an emerging field of urban planning and policy—she founded Night Tank in 2020 after completing her PhD at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Through her international consultancy, she advises governments and businesses on the strategic management of urban life at night. She has also taught courses on urban planning and nighttime policies at Sciences Po, University College London, and the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC).

Why did you choose Barcelona?

Barcelona was the city that opened its doors to me at a pivotal moment in my career. After completing my PhD during the pandemic, Jordi Hereu offered me the opportunity to join the strategic consultancy he co-founded after serving as Mayor of Barcelona. That opportunity brought me to the city and allowed me to experience firsthand a model of urban transformation that, until then, I had only studied in books.

What are the city’s strengths?

There's something about Barcelona that feels like home to me. On the one hand, it's the combination of sea and mountains that I grew up with in Venezuela; on the other, it's the exceptional quality of life the city offers. Barcelona is a city that lives outdoors—in its streets, terraces, and beaches. I find that natural relationship with public space, rooted in its Mediterranean character, truly fascinating. It's also a creative, dynamic city with a free-spirited, laid-back attitude that resonates deeply with me.

Which aspects of the city need to be improved? How?

Barcelona has been an international benchmark for urban transformation for decades. From the 1992 Olympic Games to major international conferences and events, the city has continually reinvented itself and strengthened its global profile. The challenge now is to bring that same transformative vision to the everyday issues affecting its residents. Achieving this requires a long-term strategy that protects local businesses, improves access to affordable housing, and ensures that urban and tourism development also benefits the people who keep the city running every day.

What do you expect from Barcelona in the coming years?

I would like to play a role in shaping that vision: a Barcelona that remains open, creative, and international, while also protecting and preserving what makes it truly unique. Because a strong city is not one that closes itself off to protect what it has, but one that knows how to embrace new ideas, people, and opportunities without losing its essence.

I also believe that nighttime governance will be an essential part of Barcelona's long-term vision. Thousands of people work, travel, and experience the city at night, and as temperatures continue to rise, the nighttime public realm will play an increasingly important role as a climate refuge, a space for social interaction, and a driver of cultural and economic activity.

Which city do you consider to be your home city? What do you miss most?

Caracas will always be my city. It's where I grew up and learned the value of contributing to the common good, especially during the years before I emigrated, when I worked in local government. I miss that chapter of my life and the feeling of playing an active role in building my community, particularly during difficult times such as those Venezuela has faced following the earthquakes of June 24. At the same time, Barcelona is now where I am building my home, and it is from here that I hope to continue making a meaningful contribution.