Barcelona reAct: What will the city be like in 2030?

The Barcelona ReAct conference took place from April 13 to 16. The event aimed to present the Barcelona Green Deal, a new agenda to reactivate the city’s economy by 2030.

After more than a year since the beginning of the pandemic and the crisis it has entailed, the plan aims to generate up to 100,000 new jobs. In addition, among its objectives are: to be the digital and technological capital of Europe, to remain a hub for international talent, to protect the local economy, to be the leading city in entrepreneurship and innovation, and to transform the tourism model towards value and sustainability.

The changes to be carried out also include an economic, urban, and social transformation. The proposal is structured around six major areas of the city with their respective projects: The Center, Zona Franca, Port Olímpic, 22@, Besòs’ industrial parks, and Montjuïc.

What do these six projects consist of?

The center

One of the proposals is to transform the neighborhoods of the center, which are heavily dependent on tourism. This transformation aims to make them even more attractive to live, work and visit. Another project underway is the transformation of the former post office building into an innovation hub.

The aim for 2030 is also to reimagine the tourism offer, diversify it and decentralize it. The focus will be on culture and sustainability, two pillars that will be promoted to attract new visitors.

Port Olímpic

Another area to be transformed is the Port Olímpic, which will become a blue economy hub. For this purpose, there will be research centers installed and activities related to the blue economy will be promoted. The project aims to boost entrepreneurship, sports activities, and gastronomy. This axis will also generate employment over the next ten years.

22@

After 20 years of innovation, the neighborhood is being renewed again. This time, the City Council focuses on the northern part of the Diagonal, an area where 37% of the surface area can still be developed. The district continues to be a crucial economic hub for the city, generating employment mainly in the technology sector and digital transformation. The new plan aims to improve the neighborhood’s quality of life, making it more sustainable and livable.

Montjuïc

The Olympic Stadium and the Palau Municipal d’Esports de Montjuïc will host the Barcelona Sports Tech Hub. This initiative aims to turn the area into a Sportstech hub, making sports technology a new economic hub for the city. The Barcelona Sports Tech Hub will also include an incubator for up to 15 startups in the sports sector. In addition, the Palau Municipal d’Esports building will become a space for electronic games.

Besòs

New productive activities will be promoted in the Besòs industrial estates, focusing on the manufacturing industry, 4.0, sustainable last-mile logistics, and waste management activities. It is an area of about 175 hectares, the largest reserve of industrial land in the city. It is also an area of great importance that generates quality employment in Barcelona, as these industrial parks are home to some 740 companies.

Zona Franca and Marina

The Zona Franca and the Marina will combine productive activity with residential uses within a decade. This space could generate between 8,000 and 10,000 new jobs linked to Industry 4.0, innovation, and sustainability. The conference highlighted the reactivation of the industrial estate thanks to the 3D Factory Incubator, the first high-tech 3D business incubator in Europe. In addition, a residential expansion will be carried out in Marina, thanks to the construction of some 11,000 homes that could accommodate up to 28,000 people.

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