Barcelona closed the year with satisfactory news. The Catalan capital, Granada and Santa Cruz de Tenerife became the provincial capitals that allocate the greatest volume of social spending among their inhabitants. The figure is not exorbitant, just over 151 euros per inhabitant, but there are notable cities throughout the country whose contribution barely exceeds 56 euros per citizen. That Barcelona is the best of the large Spanish cities in compliance with social spending is a reason for joy.
The doubt that may cause the anxiety of this management model that contributes to improving the quality of life of its inhabitants is whether the city will be able to maintain the pace of resource generation that it requires. Linking the destinations of Barcelona to a better and more profitable economic activity seems to be an essential element if the Catalan capital wants to compete in the big leagues. To take better care of your loved ones, you have to earn money and build the foundations that allow robust and lasting business growth. Will the rulers of Barcelona be capable? Let's hope so, but for that it is necessary to abandon absurdly goodistic criteria that, in reality, only harm citizens.
For this reason, any strategy that allows the city to regain vigor gains value. One of these key plans must be found in the aspiration to expand the airport, a showcase to dream of greater activity in the essential sectors that support the citizen economy, such as tourism, and the fight to capture new business areas thanks to the maintenance of the big fairs. All of this has to make it possible to seduce international capital so that a portion of their investments see Barcelona as a friendly and safe destination for their business plans.
There is no perfect solution, but between being an attractive city for companies from half the world or losing that interest and neglecting the key business drivers for the Catalan capital, an absolutely different reality can be seen. Either you are economically important or there are no resources to achieve a better, more prosperous and more supportive city. The hackneyed message of putting brakes on the wheels of growth only leads to economic and, of course, social deterioration. Let's hope that 2024 is a bright year for Barcelona and that attempts to cut off key businesses fade quickly. Barcelona has always fought to influence and stand out. If you have not already done so, read the magnificent account of Roman Barcino written by the friend and journalist of this house Fèlix Badia (The first millionaire of Barcelona). Those businessmen were proud of the capacity for influence that their capital provided them Let's learn from that small city within the walls and let's not fail history.
