"I want a Barcelona open to innovation, inclusive, and that prioritizes the well-being of its citizens"

The New Barcelona Post converses this month with Isabel Jiménez, one of the young people who have participated in Barcelona 2040, the leadership and city program taught by Barcelona Global. The objective of this series of interviews is for this new generation of leaders to share their vision for the Barcelona of the future, as well as their impactful proposals for the improvement of the city.

Isabel Jiménez is an associate at Asabys Partners, a venture capital firm specializing in the health sector, which invests in innovative companies in biopharma and healthtech. Jiménez holds a PhD in Medicine and was a participant in the first edition of Barcelona Global's Barcelona 2040 program.

---What do you expect from Barcelona in 2040?

---I hope it will be a city that has found the balance between its roots and its openness to the world, and that it has emerged from the state of obfuscation it is in, motivated by mass tourism. Many of us came to Barcelona attracted by the city's open-mindedness towards innovation and business. And it's not that this mentality has disappeared, quite the opposite, but it has relegated the Barcelonian to the background. It is important that everything that makes Barcelona attractive to outsiders also has a positive impact on Barcelonians. We who work to improve the attractiveness of this city, whether in tourism, industry, transport, or science, must not forget this. 

We also need to reflect on the city's interculturality. In 2040, I hope Barcelona demonstrates its interculturality in all aspects of urban life, from its streets to its governing bodies. The Barcelona of 2040 must be a city proud of its identity, open to innovation while being inclusive, prioritizing the well-being of its citizens. A Barcelona that is not only a desired destination but also a beloved home. 

---What city would you compare Barcelona to? 

---Comparing Barcelona to other cities is a difficult task. Those born and adopted in the city agree that Barcelona is unique. I could tell you it resembles Milan, or perhaps Lisbon, but any comparison will be incomplete. We are talking about a city whose two main icons, the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, are two monuments that are not even finished. What can we compare that to? What could be more original?

---What city model do you think Barcelona should resemble? 

---One would have to opt for an approach that positions Barcelona as a benchmark in sustainable urban development, while fostering social and economic inclusion, the conservation of cultural and architectural heritage, allowing the city to maintain its unique identity. One that integrates sustainability with innovation and quality of life, a more efficient city. I imagine a model that combines the order of Nordic countries with the spontaneity of Mediterranean cities.

---What is the main challenge Barcelona must solve in the coming years? 

---I believe the main challenge is to prevent its current economic model from redefining its identity. When one travels abroad and is asked what city they live in, people smile when you answer Barcelona, because they think of a city with good weather and good gastronomy, Gaudí's architecture, and sports. The challenge is to lose the fear of reclaiming the origins that made the city known and for it to embrace its identity again. We must reduce our dependence on certain sources of income and bet more on others that will bring long-term prosperity to citizens. 

---What do you think should be the role of new generations and their involvement in the city's development? 

---New generations should undoubtedly play a more active role because we are the ones who can provide a more realistic vision of the city in many aspects, and on issues such as access to housing, promoting the presence of women in positions of responsibility, and adapting to new technologies. The point is that this role must come from our own willingness to have it, and also from the willingness of previous generations for us to have it. I believe both sides are somewhat complacent.

---Which business sectors do you think Barcelona should bet on?

---Barcelona should bet on sectors that provide long-term value and improve the city's attractiveness to the world, but with a positive impact on citizens. For me, innovation in science and health is one of the most relevant sectors in this regard. The arrival of AstraZeneca's R&D hub and the future CaixaResearch Institute are great stimuli for the ecosystem. 

Barcelona is already making very good bets in this sector, hence the need to carefully consider what the new ones will be. We currently see well-funded science and health startups, but limited in well-equipped infrastructure and scarcity of space. This ends up impacting the speed at which they can develop their products. It is time to focus investment towards more cutting-edge infrastructure in the style of DeepLabs in the metropolitan area. It would serve to diversify the city's economy and position Barcelona as an innovative and attractive center for global talent.