Barcelona Leads the Way in Innovation and Democracy

Insights from the Metropolitan Dialogue of Barcelona?

In an era where cities are rapidly transforming into smart urban landscapes, Barcelona has stepped into the spotlight, not just as a leading city but as a beacon of democratic innovation. The city's recent distinction as the first European Capital of Democracy for the years 2023/24 marks a pivotal moment in its urban development journey. In this setting, BABLE Smart Cities, a key player in shaping Europe's smart urban landscapes, and El Pla Estratègic Metropolità de Barcelona (PEMB), a non-profit association that plays a crucial role in fostering economic and social advancements within the metropolitan region, came together for a meaningful international event at the Canòdrom – The Center for Digital and Democratic Innovation in Barcelona celebrated on 06 November with the occasion of the Smart City Expo World Congress 2023.

This gathering was more than just a meeting; it was a convergence of minds and missions. Key city representatives, influential networks, dynamic clusters, and esteemed partners from across Europe and Latin America assembled under one roof for a groundbreaking dialogue. The focus? To chart a course for participatory processes and stakeholder engagement, elements that are now more crucial than ever in the realm of urban development.?

Central to the discussions was the Metropolitan Commitment 2030 of the Barcelona Region. This forward-thinking framework served as a canvas for event participants to paint their ideas, focusing on engaging with four pivotal stakeholder groups: citizens, cities, academia, and businesses. This collaborative effort signified more than a discussion – it was a step towards reshaping the future of urban development and democratic participation.?

Keynote Spotlights?

PEMB and the Metropolitan Commitment of Barcelona 2030??

The agenda kicked off with an insightful presentation of Oriol Estela Barnet , General Coordinator of Pla Estratègic Metropolità de Barcelona (PEMB) , who captivated the audience with strategic planning and participation in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. Oriol offered a comprehensive look at PEMB's evolution since 1990, focusing on their current 2020-2030 strategic plan: "Compromís Metropolità 2030." He navigated the audience through the concept of metropolitan identity, exploring what it means and who resonates with this notion.?

A significant portion of the presentation was dedicated to the participatory processes that are fundamental to the plan's success. Oriol detailed the various stages involved, from identifying challenges and enhancing team capabilities to the pivotal role played by the Barcelona Demà Commission in creating work teams and defining challenges. This approach included mapping 483 organisations and identifying 67 challenges across 19 areas.?

The keynote also highlighted the extensive engagement efforts, with participation in over 120 events annually, including 17 debate sessions and the involvement of 396 experts in metropolitan conference cycles. This reflects the city's commitment to a collaborative and inclusive strategic planning approach.?

Oriol further elaborated on the strategic objectives and missions that emerged from this process, encompassing 8 missions and 46 areas of intervention. These objectives were refined through 24 workshops, involving 97 representatives from various sectors, and were grounded in principles of reducing inequalities and fostering a collaborative, inclusive work environment.?

Lastly, the Metropolitan Commitment 2030, as outlined in his presentation, focuses on promoting prosperity, reducing social and territorial inequalities, and addressing climate emergencies. Eight specific missions were outlined: Innovative and Inclusive Economy, Sufficient Income Levels, Environmental and Climate Emergency, Sustainable and Safe Mobility, Healthy Eating, Territorial Cohesion, Adequate Housing, and Cultural Vitality. These underscore the multifaceted approach Barcelona is taking to address its metropolitan challenges.?

The Barcelona Metropolitan Area’s (AMB) Vision for Sustainable Urban Development?

Following PEMB’s presentation, Oriol Illa García, the Director of the International and Digital Metropolis Department at àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona (AMB) , took the stage. He shared a compelling overview of AMB’s strategic framework and initiatives during his presentation.??

Oriol began by outlining the key strategic documents that shape AMB's approach. He highlighted specific plans such as the Metropolitan Action Plan 2023-2027 and the Internationalization Plan 2021-2025, showcasing AMB's forward-thinking and comprehensive approach to urban development.?

Discussing AMB's legislative powers, he emphasised their reach across vital areas such as Urban Planning and Policies, Ecology, Mobility Transport and Sustainability, and Social & Economic Development. This multifaceted jurisdiction underpins the organisation's ability to implement wide-ranging and impactful initiatives.?

A key part of his presentation was the focus on metropolitan solutions. Oriol discussed AMB's strategy of implementing joint, connected, and innovative strategies in various fields. These include advancements in the care system, exploring hydrogen energy possibilities, and addressing housing challenges, demonstrating AMB's commitment to diverse and integrated metropolitan solutions.?

Lastly, he also shed light on important elements like the Metropolitan Action Plan, Metropolitan Urban Master Plan, Metropolitan Urban Mobility Plan, and the comprehensive neighbourhood program. He touched on the plans for the Serra de Collserola Natural Park, illustrating AMB's dedication to protecting and enhancing the natural environment.?

Strategic Urban Planning: The CIDEU Method for Empowering Cities?

Rosa Arlene María , the Executive Director at CIDEU , shared rich insights on the transformative power of strategic planning in city development. Drawing on over 30 years of experience, Maria emphasised the vital role of strategic planning in empowering participation and fostering the co-creation of cities and metropolises. Her discussion revolved around four core objectives: incorporating diverse perspectives, embracing the quadruple helix model, generating consensus, and uniting different stakeholders.?

Maria highlighted CIDEU's significant role as a network promoting cooperation among cities through urban strategic planning. She pointed out how strategic planning is crucial in addressing urban problems, requiring a long-term perspective and strategic thinking that includes analysing various scenarios for informed decision-making and future preparation. Maria stressed the importance of a systematic and creative participatory process that lays the groundwork for integrated long-term action, influencing decisions, and achieving new goals.?

The presentation delved into the concept of public, private, and social partnerships as a means to achieve consensus on values, priorities, and development plans. This approach drives a new culture based on consensus and collaboration, where engaging stakeholders to embrace strategy and multiply impacts is key. Maria explained how these efforts facilitate relationships among stakeholders and identify leadership, resulting in a pact that aligns stakeholders to act.?

Maria also shared lessons learned from cities like Barcelona and various municipalities in Colombia, which have incorporated activities focused on listening and extensive dialogue in their planning processes. She noted Monterey's relevant experiences in this context. Concluding her presentation, Maria emphasised CIDEU's commitment to creating cooperation spaces for those responsible for urban strategy, inspiring learning, and exchanging solutions. This initiative supports the training of local government officials and encourages participation in CIDEU's activities.?

Through her keynote, Rosa Arlene Maria presented a comprehensive overview of how strategic urban planning can be a powerful tool for participation, consensus-building, and co-creation in cities and metropolises, drawing on global lessons and CIDEU's extensive expertise.?

Istanbul's Metropolitan Evolution: A Journey of Resilience, Innovation, and Inclusivity?

Last but not least, Dr. Erol ?zgüner , Chief Information Officer (CIO) of ?stanbul Büyük?ehir Belediyesi , unveiled a comprehensive view of Istanbul’s strategic efforts to evolve into a resilient and innovative metropolis. His insights painted a picture of a city not only bustling with a sprawling population and rich demographics but also deeply invested in a future shaped by technology, sustainability, and community involvement.?

Erol highlighted Istanbul's dynamic demographic landscape, marked by a youthful population of around 6 million and a total population surpassing 16 million. The city’s robust infrastructure includes 30 municipal enterprises and approximately 90,000 employees, laying a solid foundation for its ambitious strategic plans. Ozguner showed the city's dedication to resilience, emphasising a people-oriented approach, ecosystem development, and the strategic use of technology.?

Central to Istanbul’s strategy, as Erol outlined, are the principles of justice, transparency, accountability, ethics, and innovation, all encapsulated in the Strategic Plan 2020-2024. These values guide the city’s focus areas like enhancing urban accessibility, ecological balance, financial sustainability, and participative governance.?

Ozguner delved into the importance of public participation in Istanbul's strategic planning. The city has actively involved its residents through diverse methods such as surveys, workshops, and innovative participation platforms, collecting over 7,000 opinions and suggestions to ensure that community voices steer the urban development process.?

He also addressed Istanbul's challenges in managing its vast population. The city’s strategic focus on overpopulation management, urban transformation, environmental management, mobility, and local economy reflects a comprehensive approach to urban challenges. Ozguner particularly underscored Istanbul's investment in technology, with a focus on digital inclusivity, civic innovation, artificial intelligence, and a connected civic platform, all accessible through a single app. These initiatives are part of the city’s broader commitment to smart city development, aiming for climate neutrality and embracing sustainable practices by 2030.

In the realm of innovation and local economy, he noted Istanbul’s initiatives in entrepreneurship and technology, focusing on tech-based solutions for urban challenges. Environmental management and combating climate change are also at the forefront of Istanbul’s strategic planning, with commitments to projects like waste-to-energy and sustainable building transitions.?

His presentation concluded by highlighting Istanbul’s advancements in public transportation, digital services, and the promotion of electric vehicle use, alongside community engagement initiatives fostering solidarity and support among residents.?

Co-Creation Workshop Dynamics: The Idea Marketplace??

The Idea Marketplace showcased collaborative innovation through parallel co-creation workshops. Participants, grouped by themes like cities, academia, businesses, and citizens, were led by facilitators and inspirational leaders. The systematic yet flexible methodology allowed organic idea generation, emphasizing openness and inclusivity in the initial brainstorming. Progressing to refinement and prioritization, participants collectively evaluated feasibility, impact, and innovativeness. The workshops aimed to filter ideas into actionable concepts, utilizing grouping techniques for common themes. Facilitators ensured every participant contributed, fostering mutual respect. As workshops concluded, key takeaways were synthesized and shared in a plenary session, celebrating diverse thought and offering a holistic view of collective intelligence.

The Bridge to Cities: Collaborative Pathways for Urban Challenges?

Facilitated by Alexander Schmidt and inspired by Raffaele Gareri , this workshop underscored the need for inter-city cooperation, resource sharing, inclusive participation, best practices sharing, and efficient utilisation of resources and networks. Participants identified the primary objective as establishing connections between cities facing similar challenges, and that these city exchanges should be kept small. They envisioned a network where experiences, resources, and solutions could be readily exchanged, enhancing the ability of cities to tackle their challenges more efficiently. The workshop also emphasised inclusive participation, urging involvement from a diverse range of stakeholders, including technical staff, political leaders, and sponsors from both the commission and the private sector. Experienced cities were seen as valuable knowledge reservoirs that could guide cities new to collaborative efforts. The discussions delved into sharing best practices, building trust among cities, and expanding collaboration beyond borders. The emphasis was on a concerted, multi-level approach to urban collaboration, integrating the expertise and resources of political leaders, technical staff, and private sector sponsors.

The Bridge to Academia: Strengthening the Ties between Academic Institutions and Urban Development Initiatives??

Managed by Hector Ca?as and inspired by Adur Ugartemendia Leunda , this workshop delved into challenges and opportunities in fostering effective collaborations between academia and public administration. Participants identified key challenges in funding, collaboration, project implementation, and human resources. Solutions included easy access to funding, active participation in events and fairs, collaboration with the private sector incentivized through benefits, and fostering partnerships with academic institutions. Emerging topics like the climate crisis and mobility were highlighted, with proposals for forums and courses to bring stakeholders together. The workshop stressed the pivotal role of aligning funding access, collaboration, real data accessibility, and information sharing to enhance problem-solving capacity and innovation potential in urban development.

The Bridge to Businesses: Forging Stronger Public-Private Partnerships in Urban Development?

Moderated by Mackenzie Banker and inspired by Edwin Mermans , this workshop highlighted the crucial need for establishing regular channels of communication and collaboration to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors. Creating continuous dialogue channels, including working groups, coffee sessions, ambassador programs, and workshops, was emphasised. The workshop called for a more innovative and risk-taking mindset in the public sector, conducting aligned pilots before formal tendering processes and focusing on a deeper understanding of the city's needs. Mutual understanding between cities and businesses was identified as essential for collaborative success, emphasising the importance of understanding each other's requirements and challenges. The group recognised a significant disconnect between the public and private sectors, suggesting approaches like establishing regular mechanisms for engagement, defining long-term joint visions, and fostering a shared economy approach.

The Bridge to Citizens: Enhancing Community Engagement in Urban Development?

Led by Gretel Schaj and inspired by Ernesto Faubel Cubells , this workshop focused on strategies for improving citizen engagement in urban development processes. A key theme was the importance of clear and purposeful planning in citizen engagement. The workshop discussed building skills and fostering inclusivity, emphasizing the need to integrate citizens into the participation process and recognize their potential impact. Effective communication emerged as a cornerstone of successful citizen engagement, advocating for a comprehensive communication strategy that spans the entire engagement process. Leveraging ambassadors and facilitators was suggested to overcome perceived bias, amplifying the message and reaching a wider audience convincingly. The workshop acknowledged the need to tackle pending issues in the engagement process, such as establishing quorums, enhancing the effectiveness of participation processes, and dealing with negativity or opposition. The multifaceted approach needed to enhance citizen engagement was highlighted, emphasizing the active involvement of the community in creating resilient and inclusive urban spaces.

The Puzzle of the Metropolis: The Strategy Game??

A surprise interactive session followed – “The Puzzle of the Metropolis” – immersing participants in the intricacies of metropolitan management through puzzle-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking. The session revolved around the storyline of a hypothetical cyber-attack on Barcelona, again emphasising collaboration across Citizens, Businesses, Cities and Academia groups to solve a problem. Thus, all participants had to play a role in this emergency response. Tasked with restoring the Essential Services to their municipalities, their challenge was to rebuild, cooperate, and innovate, ensuring that the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona rises stronger from this crisis.?The participants had to trade with each other and buy resources from the bank to solve the puzzle. Congrats to the Businesses Team for taking home the prize!

Closing Remarks??

The event ended with closing remarks from BABLE Smart Cities’ CEO Alexander Schmidt and Angela Precht , General Coordinator of the European Capital Of Democracy #ECoD . The General Director of PEMB, Oriol Estela Barnet , then closed by noting how amazing the outcome of bringing together such diverse people from so many different places and profiles in one place to create many ideas was crucial for exchanging such impactful ideas.