Barcelona–Catalonia has one of the longest and most consistent international promotion strategies at MIPIM. How has this positioning evolved over the years, and what were your main achievements so far?
Indeed, Barcelona–Catalonia has been present at MIPIM for almost 20 years. Throughout this time, many things have happened and the world has changed —we have experienced economic crises, periods of growth, a pandemic…— yet we have remained committed to participating in MIPIM. It is vital for our city and our territory to maintain this visibility, while also having a space to explain our priorities and seek out the best opportunities for our future.
As for the evolution of our positioning, I can say that the relationship between the three levels of government represented in Barcelona–Catalonia —city, metropolitan area, region— has evolved over these 20 years. Barcelona–Catalonia partners have moved toward a more integrated value proposition, in which each of us can highlight our main projects and priorities, thereby optimizing our presence at MIPIM and making the most of it. Clearly, the improved coordination between the three levels has been reflected at MIPIM, enabling us to offer better attention and a richer experience to those interested in our territory.
Regarding our achievements so far, beyond specific projects, MIPIM has become a magnificent platform for conveying Barcelona’s policies on key matters such as housing, economic development and tourism. It is very important for us to share our vision with the private sector and with other institutions, while also learning from their perspectives through dialogue. At the same time, we want to ensure that investors and other stakeholders clearly understand our city agenda, our motivations, and how the public and private sectors can work together.
Barcelona is often perceived as a highly liquid and attractive market, but as most European destinations having to manage regulatory and supply-side constraints. How is the City Council balancing long-term competitiveness with social, environmental and housing policy objectives?
Barcelona’s model is based on a “mixture of uses”: a dense city where different functions coexist, where people live, shop, work, interact, and enjoy themselves, and where visitors come to explore and experience the city. Our long-term vision is simple: Barcelona’s success stems from the balance between these uses; this is what has shaped the city we know today.
The role of the City Council is to preserve this balance —ensuring a city where people can live, where everyone has “the right to stay,” as our Mayor says, and where people can work and enjoy life. At the same time, it must also be a city where visitors can have an authentic and fulfilling experience. Maintaining this long-term vision is the best way to safeguard Barcelona’s success, providing stability for the city,citizens and for investors over time.
One clear example of this commitment is that the city is now making more residential land available for investment than ever before, with a significant share reserved specifically for social housing. Because the city cannot finance these affordable housing projects on its own, private investment is essential. This represents a long-term investment opportunity that offers reasonable returns, aligned with the city’shousing affordability and long-term residential stability goals, while helping address one of the city’s most urgent challenges.
From an investor’s perspective, what distinguishes Barcelona today from other leading European gateway cities, particularly in terms of talent attraction, innovation ecosystems and urban quality?
What truly sets Barcelona apart from other major European gateway cities today is its ability to combine global ambition with a human scale. It’s a city that is highly connected and that is competitive yet still offers an exceptional quality of life —an increasingly decisive factor when it comes to attracting and retaining international talent.
Barcelona also stands out for its long-standing tradition as a research hub and for the way it has managed to bridge that scientific excellence with a fast‑growing startup ecosystem. Here, research doesn’t remain confined to academic institutions: it evolves into companies, that generate stable and skilled employment, nurturing a strong economy particularly in fields such as deep tech and life sciences. World‑class institutions like the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) or the Barcelona Science Park are good examples of environments where high‑value spin‑offs emergeand where innovation thrives naturally.
On top of this, the city benefits from institutions that actively support economic dynamism and maintain an ongoing dialogue with investors. They work to ensure that projects are not only viable but also aligned with Barcelona’s broader values and long‑term vision —initiatives like the Barcelona Investment Office of the Barcelona City Council are a good illustration of this commitment.
And finally, one of Barcelona’s greatest assets is its talent: diverse, highly skilled and deeply engaged. Programs such as Barcelona International Welcome show how the city places people at the centre of its strategy, making it easier for professionals from all over the world to integrate, develop their careers and ultimately build their lives here.
Which urban projects, planning initiatives or strategic districts will be most instrumental in sustaining Barcelona’s economic and real estate competitiveness over the next decade?
The Barcelona Impulsa plan —our economic roadmap through 2035, designed to diversify the local economy, create quality jobs, and strengthen Barcelona’s position in strategic sectors— focuses on different urban areas and economic sectors while at the same time reducing territorial inequalities. I would highlight the projects with the greatest impact that are already well‑advanced or close to implementation: Campus Clínic (healthcare services, teaching, research, and economic activity linked to the life sciences), the Barcelona Sagrera New Urban Center (metropolitan hub connected to significant mobility infrastructure), La Marina del Prat Vermell (housing, services, and economic activities within an area situated in proximity to port and airport infrastructure), and 22@Barcelona (a consolidated mixed use innovation district that offers an ecosystem for companies, start-ups, entrepreneurs, universities, and research centres). We would be delighted to provide you with information and explain more about our projects at our stand at MIPIM.
At a time when capital is increasingly selective and long-term oriented, what type of investment and partnerships is Barcelona actively seeking — and what does the city expect in return from private-sector stakeholders?
As I mentioned, the Barcelona Impulsa plan defines our economic agenda for the next ten years. Specifically, it sets out eight strategic Economic Activity Areas designed to drive urban transformation across the metropolitan region. Each area is linked to specific economic sectors that reflect Barcelona’s long‑term vision for a more resilient and competitive economy. For example, the Diagonal–Health axis, whose main project is Campus Clínic, reinforces the city’s leadership in the life sciences —in this sector it is worth mentioning the €1.3 billion investment in AstraZeneca’s Global Hub, planned through 2027— by strengthening biomedical research, health innovation, and knowledge transfer. Other areas focus on developing cultural industries and expanding the events sector, concentrating scientific activity and fostering entrepreneurship, or boosting Industry 4.0, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and the agrifood sector, among others.
In this regard, it is also important to consider that Barcelona is an extremely dense city with limited room for physical expansion; therefore, it is essential that new projects align with the city’s economicagenda. As for our expectations of private stakeholders, the key point is that we are not looking for mere “investors” but for partners willing to contribute to the development of our city and to its long‑term success.