The new generations must work for the sustainable growth of Barcelona.

The New Barcelona Post talks this month with Alba Domenech Sanmiquel, one of the young people participating in the leadership and city program taught by Barcelona Global, Barcelona 2040. Graduated in Business Administration and Management and with a master's degree in Audit, Superior Accounting and Management Development, Domenech accumulates more than 13 years of experience at KPMG, where she currently holds the position of Senior Audit Manager. With offices in more than 145 countries and more than 275,000 employees, KPMG provides audit and legal, financial and business advisory services.

The objective of this series of interviews is for this new generation of leaders to share their vision of the Barcelona of the future they aspire to, as well as their impact proposals for the improvement of the city.

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

--- I hope that Barcelona in 2040 has evolved to become a Smart City, a leader in sustainable growth and innovation, as well as a global tourism benchmark with an infrastructure that allows for a balance that supports a high quality of life affordable for all its citizens, where we all want to be to live and work. Barcelona must believe in itself. It must believe that it is a benchmark city. One of the best cities in the world to work and live in. It has had the capacity to host events such as the '92 Olympic Games, which many still consider the best (or one of the best) in history, or the recent America's Cup and, as a city, it has to believe in itself. For all these reasons, I hope that Barcelona in 2040 will be a city without complexes, self-confident and with personality.

--- Which city would you compare Barcelona to?

--- Barcelona is an idyllic environment difficult to compare: sea, mountains, climate, Mediterranean diet, with some of the most cutting-edge and recognized universities and business schools worldwide and, still (although we don't know for how long) with a more affordable cost of living than other reference cities in Europe, which makes it an idyllic environment for startups and technological hubs. It attracts talent from all over the world due to its conditions. I would compare Barcelona with cities like Amsterdam, a clear example of urban sustainability and quality of life. This tourist city stands out for being technological, with a high focus on the environment and social well-being. In turn, it could be compared with other European cities rich in history, although Barcelona is and will be unique in its cultural, gastronomic, architectural, innovative richness and physical beauty.

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

--- Barcelona should orient itself towards a Smart City model, in which it combines advanced technological solutions to efficiently manage available resources without losing its identity and essence.

"Barcelona must address the pressure of mass tourism to ensure that economic growth does not come at the expense of residents' quality of life"

--- Barcelona's main challenge is to transform its infrastructure and services to adapt to new demands for sustainability and technology in order to absorb the city's growth. In addition, it must address the pressure of mass tourism to ensure that economic growth does not come at the expense of residents' quality of life and their access to housing and other city services.

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

--- New generations have a crucial role in Barcelona's development, working to achieve good sustainable growth for the city. We must focus on creating technological solutions that address the city's current problems, such as orderly growth, and, in turn, maintain and grow the Barcelona brand. We are fortunate to live in a city with a good climate, rich in nature, and a great development of the pillars of the city's economy. We must learn from previous generations and continue to grow, maintaining the legacy and history of the city, its origins and traditions which, ultimately, are part of its brand.

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

--- Barcelona stands out for being rich in different business sectors, pillars and engines of the city's economic growth, many of them interrelated. Of all of them, I believe Barcelona should continue to bet on strategic sectors such as technology, especially artificial intelligence. At the same time, I believe the city should continue to develop its potential in sectors such as sustainable tourism, which is a fundamental pillar of the economy.