Bárbara Pons Giner - Managing Barcelona’s Global Success and Local Challenges

The Century of Cities welcomes Bárbara Pons Giner, CEO of Barcelona Regional and Commissioner of Strategic Projects and the 2030 Agenda of the Barcelona City Council. She takes us through Barcelona’s transformation from its pre-Olympic era to its future as a global leader in urban innovation. A city with a long history of pioneering urbanism, Barcelona is now facing the challenges of balancing its international appeal with local needs. Barbara shares how the city is tackling over-tourism, housing inequality, and climate change while leveraging its assets, like compact design and a vibrant civil society, to pave the way for a sustainable future. With initiatives like the superblock plan and metropolitan development strategies, Barcelona exemplifies how long-term vision and immediate action can coexist to create cities that thrive for generations.