Barcelona Catalonia made a significant impact at MIPIM 2025, reinforcing its position as a global hub for investment and innovation, particularly in the life sciences sector. The Barcelona Catalonia Conference at the event focused on how the city is integrating life sciences into its real estate market to attract both international corporations and startups. In the session titled “Life Sciences: The Roadmap for Reindustrialisation,” key figures such as Oliver Pou, Senior Open Innovation Officer at Barcelona Health Hub, Iker Cano Ausín, CEO and Co-Founder of Cosymbio Labs, and Silvia Labé, Director of Marketing, Communications and Competitive Intelligence at Biocat, BioRegion of Catalonia, shared insights into how the city is developing flexible, adaptable spaces to meet the growing demand for laboratories and technical wet labs. With its outstanding quality of life, skilled talent pool, and strategic location, Barcelona continues to establish itself as a top destination for innovation and global investment.
Further strengthening international collaborations, representatives from Barcelona visited the Lisbon Region stand at MIPIM to showcase the city's strategy and foster a stronger Iberian relationship. Marc Unió Puig, Head of International Promotion Barcelona City Council, highlighted that Barcelona, with a population of 1.7 million within a 100 km2 area and a metropolitan reach of 3.5 million, has undergone a profound transformation over the last few decades. Despite its historically fragmented administrative structure, with over 20 municipalities requiring substantial alignment, Barcelona has successfully brought together its municipality, the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, and the region of Catalonia to present a unified vision at MIPIM.
Reflecting on the city’s remarkable evolution, the Head of International Promotion Barcelona City Council emphasized that three key moments reshaped Barcelona’s trajectory. The 1992 Olympic Games acted as a catalyst for urban transformation, providing the city with an opportunity to push forward ambitious development plans. Sixteen years ago, the arrival of the Mobile World Congress attracted significant technology investment, leading to the establishment of a foundation in collaboration with the Spanish government and major telecommunications companies to ensure the long-term economic benefits of the event extended beyond its annual duration. Additionally, the creation of the 22@ Innovation District in the Poblenou neighborhood marked a turning point, as an abandoned industrial area was revitalized to enhance Barcelona’s international reputation.
Barcelona’s appeal as an investment destination is further strengthened by its exceptional connectivity. The city's international airport links more than 150 European destinations and offers global connections, while the Port of Barcelona is the only one in Iberia integrated into the European railway network, facilitating efficient cargo movement. The high-speed train network connects Barcelona with Madrid, Paris, and Valencia, offering seamless mobility for businesses and residents alike. This connectivity enables companies investing in Barcelona to access a diverse talent pool while maintaining easy links to other European business hubs.
Research and innovation play a central role in Barcelona’s economic strategy. The city has positioned itself as a knowledge hub, fostering research that enhances the competitiveness of Spanish companies. This focus on research, combined with a high quality of life and a balance between urban vibrancy and family-friendly living, makes Barcelona a highly attractive destination for both businesses and residents.
A crucial topic of discussion at MIPIM was the comparison between Barcelona and Lisbon, particularly in light of Lisbon's ongoing debate about a new airport. Barcelona’s strategic planning, particularly in the development of the 22@ Poblenou district, offers valuable insights. Rather than prioritizing short-term residential expansion, the city opted for a long-term vision, creating a district that integrates economic activity with public facilities such as schools, universities, and hospitals. The southern part of 22@ is now well-established, while development continues in the northern section, with similar urban models being replicated in other areas like Montjuic. Although Barcelona has limited space for logistics within the city, expansion opportunities exist in nearby regions of Catalonia.
The balance between tourism and residential needs was another key topic at the conference, particularly when comparing Barcelona to Lisbon. While both cities face challenges in managing tourism's impact on housing, Barcelona has taken proactive steps to regulate short-term rentals. By ceasing the renewal of Airbnb licenses and introducing measures to prioritize long-term residents, the city is addressing the ongoing debate of "visiting versus living." Drawing inspiration from Amsterdam, Barcelona is implementing solutions such as public transport routes designed specifically for local residents and digital coordination with platforms like Google Maps to guide tourists more effectively.
Barcelona Catalonia’s participation at MIPIM 2025 reaffirmed its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and strategic urban planning. By fostering strong Iberian collaborations, advancing life sciences integration into real estate, and maintaining a balanced approach to tourism and residential development, the city continues to solidify its position as a leading European hub for investment and economic growth.