As the Spanish Government introduces a new long-term vision for the modernization of Spain endorsed by the European Union, Aretian was quoted several times along the report developed by an assembly of academics and experts in innovation around Spain. 30 Universities and more than 100 authors have contributed to the plan which aims at preparing Spain for the challenges the modern world holds. Amongst these 100 authors, 10 are urbanism world class technical experts (including the Aretian leadership; Ramon Gras and Jeremy Burke) who depict the best practices that Spain should follow. Aretian recommends the continued development of Innovation Districts to align urban development with knowledge economy, fractal-type city layouts utilizing the 15-Minute City concept to create high-quality, compact urbanism. In addition, there are great opportunities to focus on rural development strategies by advancing operations and logistics of what Aretian calls Agritechnology Campuses that cluster farming communities and contribute to the circular economy.
You can download the report here.
As explained in the España 2050 plan, “[Spain] will be affected by the digital revolution and the breakthroughs in innovation that, well managed, can help to substantially improve quality of life in both the urban and rural world. Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, advanced robotics, autonomous vehicles, the Internet of Things (IoT) or 5G will impact the way in which our cities function, and may give rise to new jobs, new businesses (...) new management and governance possibilities, which can improve citizen participation and facilitate accountability”.
Aretian’s Atlas of Innovation Districts, and MIT Tech Review article, were quoted in the report as well as in the televised announcement by Pedro Sánchez (Spanish Prime Minister) from our urban studies of the Barcelona metropolitan area. As this forward thinking strategy unfolds, Aretian supports the efforts to improve sustainability and growth of urban and rural communities throughout Spain and Catalonia.
