At first glance, Barcelona seems to be going through a period of recovery. Figures suggest that the city is growing: GDP has reached 103,589 million euros, exceeding 100,000 million for the first time. Commercial premises occupancy has once again surpassed pre-pandemic levels, reaching a rate of 92%. Even citizen perception of tourism has improved, with more than 70% of the population seeing it as positive. Initially, everything seems to be going well. However, upon closer examination of the reality, it is evident that, despite these numbers, Barcelona is growing, but it is not progressing.
The city has shown great resilience in overcoming the challenges of the pandemic and recovering key sectors such as tourism and commerce. However, instead of advancing with determination towards greater competitiveness and global relevance, it seems to be trapped in a cycle of inertia. This zombie growth is reflected in positive economic figures, but not in a development that truly improves the quality of life of its inhabitants or propels the city to the next level. This is how I perceive it: growth is there, but true progress is yet to come.
Barcelona is, without a doubt, a world-renowned city that attracts major events. However, its ability to leverage these milestones is stagnating. A clear example is the recent America's Cup: an internationally renowned competition that, instead of transforming the city and stimulating its economic development, went unnoticed in many aspects, especially from the perspective of retail.
Events of this magnitude are opportunities to innovate and place the city at the center of the world stage, but the lack of preparation and a well-defined strategy have diminished the impact of these key moments. When these opportunities are not seized, Barcelona loses the chance to consolidate itself as a global leader in tourism, technology, and commerce.
Although the figure of more than 3,000 active businesses in the city may seem encouraging, many of these businesses face a challenging environment. The absence of a development plan that accelerates their growth means that, instead of prospering, many of these businesses barely survive.
The local administration does not always accompany the energy of entrepreneurship, and slow and inflexible bureaucratic processes become obstacles for a sector that should be one of the pillars of the city. Because it is not enough to have a large number of businesses, but rather an approach that allows businesses to innovate, expand, and attract both local and international consumers with unique value propositions is necessary.
It is time for Barcelona to wake up from its lethargy and avoid getting trapped in the limbo of growth without progress.The slowness in decision-making affects the creation of new businesses, the development of key infrastructures, and the implementation of policies that can boost the economy. Agility in management is crucial if Barcelona wants to take advantage of its growth momentand become a city not only more prosperous, but also modern and globally competitive. Now more than ever, the administration must act with speed and determination. While other cities in the world advance with agility to capitalize on opportunities, Barcelona seems to be losing ground.
To overcome this zombie city, a profound change is needed to drive its transformation towards a vibrant cityAn accelerated development plan for Barcelona is urgent,that contemplates everything from the modernization of its administration to the creation of policies that support businesses and strategic sectors. This change must be immediate and focused on transforming the city's management, seeking alliances that allow taking advantage of international events, and revitalizing urban infrastructure. All of this will not only attract more investment and tourism but also improve the quality of life for Barcelona residents.
Now that a new year is soon beginning, it is time for Barcelona to awaken from its lethargy and avoid getting trapped in the limbo of growth without progress. To overcome this zombie city, a profound change is needed to drive its transformation into a vibrant, competitive, and modern city, capable of living up to its great potential and the expectations of all.
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