We are pleased to present Barcelona’s new business magazine, a
revamp of the existing Barcelona Good News but with fresh and
enhanced relevance.
This relevance, however, does not just come out of nowhere
but instead is the consequence of the period Barcelona is
going through. Indeed, the new format brings with it expanded
communication to encompass a dimension of the city, the
economic one, which in the midst of the worst global crisis
in seventy years has been able to maintain its position at the
international forefront. It is therefore only fair to provide a more
detailed and accurate portrayal of Barcelona’s economy.
1. Flaixos
Antoni Giró,
UPC rector: Top city for
business
Spearheading the project
Puma lands
in Barcelona The 2010 European Cities Monitor
release shows Barcelona remains one of
Gas Natural the top cities for business. Only topped
by the political and economic capitals
Fenosa, from gas of the EU, the city brand is strong
lighting to electricity
because of the drive, creativity and
professionality of both its locals and
foreign inhabitants.
1
Balcelona Good News
Good
news
January 2011. N. 1 Barcelona Business Magazine
www.bcn.cat/barcelonabusiness
2. editor’s sectioNs
2
Barcelona Good News
new stage, new views
Until recently, Good News came in newsletter format; with the change to paper support, it became a magazine
and therefore a new and expanded publication, both physically and in terms of content.
We are pleased to present Barcelona’s new business magazine, a enhanced transport, welfare and knowledge economy
COVER:
revamp of the existing Barcelona Good News but with fresh and infrastructures. they attract investment from home and
the cover shows the Rtve
enhanced relevance. abroad and drive an economy based on added value as buildings (left), interface
Building (centre) and indra
this relevance, however, does not just come out of nowhere the only way to ensure the prosperity of Barcelona over
(right) in 22@Barcelona,
but instead is the consequence of the period Barcelona is forthcoming decades. the innovation district.
the picture was taken
going through. indeed, the new format brings with it expanded Nonetheless, alongside the favourable conditions created
by Lluís Bernat,
communication to encompass a dimension of the city, the by its institutions, the city’s prosperity is above all the result BPMO photo.
the font used for the
economic one, which in the midst of the worst global crisis of the excellent work done by its people and those who have
masthead is called
in seventy years has been able to maintain its position at the built their projects in Barcelona over recent decades. it is also “Poster” and has been
specially designed for this
international forefront. it is therefore only fair to provide a more down to those who have more recently sited their business
issue by iñigo Jerez, from
detailed and accurate portrayal of Barcelona’s economy. initiatives in Barcelona to take advantage of the city’s positive typo-Ø-tones. this chunky
didot-like typeface with
Barcelona’s strength as a centre for economic activity and dynamics that are recognized in the international rankings.
thick strokes, thin arms
innovation can be seen in the data produced by consultants Good News intends to cover both cases. and serifs owes its origin to
the revivals of 19th century
whose job it is to identify the best places for doing business in Finally, it should be noted that Good News is in english
Bodoni modifications.
europe and around the world. As the cover story in this first issue not only because english is the international language of
the other fonts used in
of the new Good News points out, Barcelona’s position in these business today, but also because with this publication,
Good News Barcelona
rankings is based not only on the city’s personality and well- Barcelona is further extending its strategic commitment are akkurat and itC
Barcelona, the latter
known creative skills, but also on its figures and the confidence to being open to foreign talent, talent that is a rewarding
designed by edward
it generates among executives across the continent. opportunity for the entire city in its human, cultural, language Benguiat for the 1992
Barcelona Olympics.
this competitive Barcelona with its european and worldwide and, obviously, also economic aspects.
relevance is largely the outcome of development policies
Jordi Hereu i Boher
over the course of its history that now take the shape of
Mayor of Barcelona
Editor
Barcelona city council - economic Promotion Area
Llacuna 162, 08018 Barcelona (spain)
t. (+34) 932 563 915
www.bcn.cat/barcelonabusiness
BCN HIGHLIGHTS 3 /// STANDING OUT 4 Barcelona, top city for business Design and Production:
BPMo edigrup - www.bpmoedigrup.com.
creative director: Paula Mastrángelo /// editorial coordinator: carmen Alcalde
/// BARCELONA WORLD 9 /// SPOTLIGHT ON 10 Antoni Giró, UPc rector /// WIDE /// Art director: Marta solà /// Photo editing: carlota Prats, BPMo photo ///
Language coordinator: raúl Pelegrín /// Print by enlaze3 Print Management
ANGLE 13 Gas Natural Fenosa /// DO IT IN BARCELONA 14 /// NETWORKING 15 /// TOP Cofunded by
SECRET 16 /// ZOOM IN 17 cFLabs /// DEPARTURES AND ARRIVALS 18 Puma / Almirall
/// PENSAT A BARCELONA 20 /// WHAT’S COOKING Bet 22 ///AGENDA 24
3. The CMT opens new headquarters
BCN HIGHLIGHTS
‘CITy Of SCIEnCE AnD
InnOVATIOn’ The Telecommunications Market Commission The new CMT offices are more symbolic, provide more space
Barcelona is among the 30 Spanish cities (CMT) becomes first state agency to establish its and better security than its provisional headquarters in the
receiving the distinction of ‘City of Science headquarters in Barcelona Mapfre Tower. The Spanish Government, led by José Luis
and Innovation’ by the Ministry of Science and Rodríguez Zapatero, approved the transfer of the CMT from
Technology for the first time. The title, which Madrid to Barcelona in December 2004.
will be given in early 2011, recognizes the The Commission’s new offices have 600 full-time employees
efforts of the city in research and development and occupy two buildings with a total area of over 12,000
and will benefit research programs. square metres. The first houses the CMT directorates and
For three years the recognised cities will the offices of the Presidential Department, the Council and
make up ‘Impulso Red’, a network of cities of the Secretariat. Installed with solar panels and connected to
science and innovation. Barcelona is the only the city’s urban heating and cooling systems, this bioclimatic
large city (over 10,000 inhabitants) that has building is highly efficient in terms of energy. The second
received recognition from the Ministry for its building houses an auditorium seating 330 and an interna-
commitment to research. tional meeting room. Moreover, a crèche on the same floor
More info: http://www.mityc.es helps CMT staff to reconcile work and family life.
More info: http://www.cmt.es
nEw flIGhTS AnnOunCED
frOM BArCElOnA TO SAO
PAulO AnD MIAMI The city presents its
Iberia has announced that the company will be
flying to Sao Paulo and Miami from Barcelona
candidature to host the
El Prat International Airport. The new thrice- 2022 Winter Olympiad
weekly direct flights, with no stopovers, will
begin next summer season, in March 2011. Barcelona will have to pass through three
3
Barcelona Good News
These new transatlantic destinations go a long filters if the city’s Olympic hopes are to
way to meeting the long-held ambition cherished finally prosper.
by both the Government of Catalonia and The first is the selection of the candidature by
Barcelona City Council: to consolidate El Prat as the Spanish Olympic Committee, which will meet
the Spain’s second-most important airport. for this purpose in 2013. At the meeting, the
More info: http://www.iberia.com Catalan capital’s rival will be Jaca, presenting EVS27 2013, devoted
its seventh bid to host the Winter Olympics. The to the electric vehicle
MSC COnTInuES ITS second obstacle will be the International Olympic
COMMITMEnT wITh uS Committee (IOC) meeting in 2014, whilst the final The project, led by Barcelona City Council, the Insti-
The Swiss company MSC Cruises chose decision will be taken in October 2015. tute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) and
Barcelona to present its new developments As Jordi Hereu, the mayor of Barcelona, ex- the Spanish Association for the Electric Vehicle, won
for the 2010-2011 season. Company director plained at a press conference in January this the vote against candidatures put forward by other
Emiliano González stated that MSC “continues year, the city’s proposal revolves around two cities such as Geneva and Paris.
its commitment to the Port of Barcelona, one Olympic villages. These are: Barcelona itself, In 2013, Barcelona will host the most important international
of our key destinations”. Four MSC flagships, which will host the opening and closing ceremo- meeting in the specialist sector that is electric technology and mo-
including two of the most modern craft in nies, the medal ceremonies and indoor sports bility. The event is organised by the World Electric Vehicle Associa-
the company fleet, will pick up passengers in (ice hockey, skating and curling) competitions; tion (WEVA), which will stage the EVS25 symposium in Shenzhen
Barcelona next season. Moreover, MSC Cruises and the Pyrenees, where all the other events (China), whilst EVS26 will take place in Los Angeles (California,
also announced that, for the first time, the will take place. USA) in mid-2012. Finally, when the event returns to Europe, Barce-
company’s ships will also dock at the Port of Barcelona-Pyrenees will also have to fight off lona has been chosen to host the 27th edition of this exhibition.
Palamós. competition from bids put forward by the likes Not only professionals, but also users and ordinary citizens will
of New Zealand, Romania and Canada. also find much of interest at the show, as it includes a section
More info: where manufacturers can exhibit and test drive their vehicles.
http://w1.bcn.cat/candidatura2022 More info:
http://www.avele.org
http://www.evs25.org
Headquarters of the
Secretariat for the “Do it in Barcelona”
“Barcelona Process: Union wins Eurocities
for the Mediterranean” Awards 2010
More info: http://www.msccruceros.es
The Barcelona Process: union for the Mediterranean The Deputy Mayor of Barcelona, Jordi William
nEw PrOPErTy SEArCh EnGInE (upM) is an international organisation set up to Carnes, picked up the Eurocities Awards 2010
fOr BuSInESS SPACES promote cooperation and the development of Innovation Award on behalf of the city for the
The new search engine will connect supply international relations. Its members include all “Do it in Barcelona” programme run by the City
and demand in this sector by enabling the 43 Mediterranean countries. Council. Eurocities is a network of major Eu-
members of official associations to advertise The new headquarters of the UpM, which was established in ropean cities which each year gives awards to
their offers. The application will help users to 2008 in Paris and Marseilles, will be in Barcelona. The Catalan the activities and programmes carried out by
find commercial premises, offices, business capital was selected as to host the Secretariat for the “Bar- its more than 140 member cities. The innova-
centres and industrial units throughout the celona Process: Union for the Mediterranean” organisation at tion category recognizes activity planning and
city of Barcelona, whether they are seeking to the Euro-Med Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs. This implementation by local authorities. “Do it in
purchase or only to rent. Secretariat will play a key role in the institutional architecture, Barcelona” is an initiative addressed at highly
More info: http://www.barcelonactiva.cat/ identifying, monitoring and promoting projects and recruiting qualified people aged between 24 and 25 who
espaisdenegoci/es members. are looking to work in the city.
More info: http://www.ufmsecretariat.org/en More info: http://www.doitinbcn.com
4. 4
Top
city for
Barcelona Good News
business
After the release of the 2010 European Cities Monitor (ECM), Barcelona can feel
proud of mantaining its position amongst the best cities for business in Europe.
Topped only by the political and economic capitals of the EU, the city remains
strong thanks to the creativeness and the professionalism of its local and
foreign inhabitants. By Toni Güell
A few weeks ago, oriol Barrachina, Europe talks about access to markets and customers; pres-
manager of the consulting firm cush- Barcelona ence of skilled labour; quality of telecom-
man & Wakefield in Barcelona, said this is precisely the case of the european munications and presence of transport
that the catalan capital continues to cities Monitor (ecM). on the world stage, routes toward other cities and abroad.
enjoy a very good image on the europe- the movement of capital and talented With its study for 2010, the ecM has
an stage as an ideal city for business, people is accelerating at an increasingly reached its twenty-first year, and if we
but also pointed out that this idea is faster pace, and therefore requires valid wish to make an appropriate evaluation
not widespread at all among the city’s references; among them, ecM is one of Barcelona’s fifth position, we need to
inhabitants. of the most often consulted. the index stress that the index has been topped
Nevertheless, the fact remains that is the result of the work commissioned by London, Paris and Frankfurt since
Barcelona is at the top of the rankings by consulting firm cushman & Wake- its creation. of course this shouldn’t
that evaluate cities as being suitable field to tNs BrMB, and was created via surprise anyone: the first two are the
for economic life. Moreover, the results interviews with 500 senior managers at capitals of two of the richest and stron-
of this ranking don’t just come from leading companies from the old con- gest countries in the european Union
cold statistics, but is also a result of tinent. in its successive years, the four and the international scene, and the
the opinions expressed directly by factors considered most important for third is not only the financial capital of
business-owners and professionals these guidelines when deciding in which the Union itself (the ecB is located there)
from across the continent. city to set up business have been: ease of but also of a Germany whose economic
6. 6
Barcelona Good News
power is demonstrated by having five reflected in facts that can be translated economic and entrepreneurial life, and
THE INTERNATIONAL of its cities among the top fifteen of the into figures. the Barcelona of universal here it is necessary to highlight the ar-
ECONOMIC CRISIS, ecM (Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, düssel- exhibitions, the Barcelona of the 1992 rival of the high-speed train (AVe) and
AN OPPORTUNITy dorf and Hamburg). Furthermore, the city olympic Games and Barcelona as a the opening of terminal t-1 at Barce-
New ways make it easier to establish that takes the fourth position (occupied capital of design (among other things) lona-el Prat Airport, as both projects
your business in Barcelona by Barcelona in 2009) is Brussels, which, for the 21st century are interlinked by a improve competitiveness and elevate
similarly to Washington, d.c. in the common thread that is shown when you Barcelona, the metropolitan area and
32% of office rental contracts in the United states, enjoys the unbeatable look at the data closely. For example, the catalonia as a whole to the first level on
city centre. 112 contracts signed in the advantage of being the headquarters fact that 7.5% of the inhabitants set up the international scale. this comes in
eixample district. 24% fall in the price of the main bodies of the eU, as well as their business in Barcelona means that addition to other city assets that have
of office rental. 52,254 square metres the political home of NAto. this implies the city has a greater rate of entrepre- been functioning at an excellent level
of office space rented in the last six a great centre of attraction for lobbies neurship by population than Germany, for longer, such as the port. in 2009, the
months. european city with the sixth- as well as all types of companies and France, the Netherlands, the United Port of Barcelona was the leader in the
best relation between quality and price businesses. Kingdom and the oecd average. Mediterranean and the fourth in the
for offices. €333 per square metre. on this basis, and also taking account world in terms of cruise ship traffic. in
Barcelona is one of the 15 cities with of the power and resources of other The ratings come from cold July 2010, around 1.1 million tourists
cheapest office rentals. it is cheaper capitals and major cities of european statistics as well as from passed through its facilities, meaning
than in london, paris, Frankfurt and countries, Barcelona’s fifth position in the opinions expressed an increase of 11.2% on the previous
Brussels and 33% cheaper than the ecM 2010 edition has even greater directly by business- year.
the average for the world’s major value. in fact, Barcelona only fell by one owners and professionals Looking beyond infrastructure, it seems
cities. Barcelona has responded to hundredth (0.01) of its final score from from across the continent appropriate to refer to data (most of
the economic crisis with the largest 2009, and has come in fourth or fifth which were provided by observatorio
investment in its history: €1.028 billion since 2005. All this can only be indicative in 2009 Barcelona attracted a total of Barcelona’s 2008 report) such as the
in 2009 and €836 million in 2010 of a dynamism inscribed in the dNA of 153 investment projects from abroad. business penetration of new technolo-
the city, and by extension, its inhabitants. this magnetic effect of the region is gies. Here, the percentage of companies
combined with the role that the city with broadband and that sell and buy
Sensations… and data has played historically. therefore, by over the internet are evaluated. cata-
Barcelona is the second-best city at combining the efforts of different cen- lan firms obtain scores that fall in line
business promotion in 2010, while in tres, catalonia took sixth place among or are above the european average.
2009 it was the first. communication the european regions that attract most Barcelona has the third-largest per-
makes sense, because giving the city foreign investment in 2008, after the centage of people employed in creative
a positive image abroad really attracts regions of London, Paris, düsseldorf, sectors (12%) and it occupies a com-
wealth. But Barcelona’s creative person- Madrid and dublin. mendable number 21 in the world in
ality is not merely a question of dis- in addition, the city is making continu- terms of scientific production. in 2007,
course and its entrepreneurial character ous efforts to set up infrastructure that catalonia was the european region with
is not a legendary quality; both are keep it connected with international the fifth-largest population working in
7. stANdiNG oUt
7
Barcelona Good News
science and technology (11%, which it is also important to cross-reference from observatorio Barcelona, 43% of direct jobs in 2011. this dynamic is fully
corresponds to almost 600,000 people). the data on quality of life with living catalan companies foresee a growth in in tune with the needs of not just the
expenses and income levels. While exports in the near future. exports from city, but of the continent as a whole, and
Quality of life Barcelona has a high quality of life, the catalunya already represent 26% of proof of this are the words spoken last
For the thirteenth consecutive year, professionals who establish or con- overall spanish exports in 2009. 8 April by the european commissioner
european executives surveyed in 2009 tinue their careers in Barcelona should Androulla Vassiliou in Barcelona, ac-
for the ecM chose Barcelona as the know that it has fallen seven important But Barcelona’s creative cording to whom one out of every three
best european city in terms of quality of positions and settled at thirty-eighth personality is not merely jobs created in the european Union
life for workers, above Geneva, Munich, in the world in terms of living expenses a question of discourse between 2010 and 2020 will be highly-
oslo and Madrid. But this concept is not (the first is the most expensive, with and its entrepreneurial skilled.
always subject to proper understand- Barcelona coming from the thirty-first character is not a However, it is fair to remember that
ing; as the aforementioned manager position). they can also rest assured legendary quality; both are the commitment to high-level train-
of cushman & Wakefield in Barcelona that while the spanish economic crisis reflected in facts that can ing and professionalism is not a recent
indicates, the concept of quality of life has been particularly pronounced, be translated into figures development in the city. Barcelona’s
should not be linked with a stereotype salaries in Barcelona are average for prestigious educational institutions
of parties and sangria, nor only with the similar large cities in the world (specifi- in its territorial leadership role, the generate knowledge and skilled labour
climate. Attracting the best profession- cally, number 29 out of a total of 49, and city is also immersed in changes that are valued highly by international
als is because of many features of the above Milan, Lisbon and rome). to its economic model. With this investors when deciding where to set
city, such as its size and its inhabitants’ aim in mind, it faces challenges in up their business. catalonia’s universi-
many initiatives that fill everyday life in Continuous improvement terms of innovation, training and ties (such as the University of Barcelona
Barcelona, like its wide-ranging cultural As noted above, Barcelona’s excellence internationalisation, in addition to (UB), Polytechnic University of cata-
and leisure offering and work habits. in attracting investment and wealth is public-private collaboration. on lonia (UPc), Pompeu Fabra University
Quality of life, ease of access thanks to by no means a matter that can be re- several occasions, the deputy Mayor (UPF), the University of Lleida (UdL),
the presence of necessary infrastruc- duced to discourse or marketing, nor to and President of 22@Barcelona, Jordi the University of rovira i Virgili (UrV)
ture and other variables interact to favourable climatic conditions. indeed, William carnes, has indicated that in and ramon Llull University (UrL)) keep
generate even more data to show Bar- it hinges on continuous effort led by all the next few years, the city will need gaining international recognition; this
celona leads international rankings. For the city’s inhabitants, businesses and to promote quality employment and a year, most of these universities received
example, take the fact that in 2010 it is institutions (in fact, Barcelona is one new production model that will have to the distinction campus of international
where the world’s second-largest num- of the top ten european cities in terms manage the Barcelona brand effectively, excellence 2010. Moreover, Barcelona is
ber of meetings are held (after Vienna), of government-generated business- boost public-private collaboration and the only european city with two schools
according to the international congress friendly environments); an effort that strengthen connectivity. in the european top ten for manage-
and convention Association. Likewise, moves forward thanks to recognition in the same vein, the catalan capital ment training. esAde and iese, its two
according to the Union of international of opportunities for improvement. For is one of the main stages for promot- business schools, respectively come in
Associations, Barcelona held 10.3% example, exports are one area in which ing the Quality employment Pact (Poc), eighth and fourth in the Financial Times’
more conventions in 2008 than in the these developments could occur, and it which was signed in Barcelona in 2008 european ranking and beat the schools
previous year. is no coincidence that according to data and is expected to create about 7,500 of London, rotterdam and Milan.
BARCELONA IN THE RANKINGS
SCORECARD ON PROSPERITy 2010 EUROPEAN CITIES AND REGIONS Of THE
(TORONTO BOARD Of TRADE) fUTURE 2010-2011 (fDI MAGAZINE)
3rd city in the overall ranking 5th European city
1st city in the labour 1st city in the south of Europe
attractiveness ranking 4th city in human resources
4th city in infrastructure
9. FActs ANd FiGUres
BArceLoNA WorLd
Barcelona is amongst the top ten urban areas in
europe. this article highlights some of the main
economic facts and figures that helped to define the
city in 2009 and 2010.
9
Barcelona Good News
the employment market is the business the economy is Barcelona is an Barcelona is
endowed with both critical mass property market is open and connected international committed to a model
and qualified human capital highly competitive to the world reference for tourism of commerce based
• the city provides more than one million jobs, the · Barcelona Metropolitan • More than 3,400 foreign and organising trade on quality, diversity
metropolitan area nearly 2.5 million. rates of region devotes 7 million companies are located in fairs and congresses and proximity
activity and employment in Barcelona (79.2% and square metres to high added catalonia, and our country • the city received 6.5 million • With 16,650 companies and
65.6% respectively) are higher than the catalan, value economic activities received a total of €1.804 visitors in 2009, with 12.8 151,724 jobs, commerce is
spanish and european averages. (nanotechnology, medical billion in direct foreign million bed nights at its one of the most important
• According to the Financial Times 2010 MBA technologies, energy, investment (dFi) in 2009. that wide range of quality hotels. sectors of activity within the
rankings, two Barcelona business schools –iese aerospace, optics and same year, catalan companies Foreigners accounted for 69% city’s economic structure.
and esAde– are amongst the leading 10 in europe photonics, among others), made foreign investments of visitors. • Barcelona’s municipal
and the world top 20. with the capacity to generate totalling around €1.374 billion. • Barcelona is second in the markets, which occupy a total
more than 200,000 new • Barcelona generates one-fifth world ranking of trade fair area of over 200,000 square
Barcelona leads Spain’s advance towards a strategic jobs in the three of all spanish exports. and congress locations, with metres, generate €1 billion in
knowledge economy areas of activity that form • in 2009, Barcelona’s was a total area of 280,000 square economic impact.
• 23% of spanish innovative enterprises are based the Barcelona Economic the ninth-busiest european metres of indoor exhibition
in catalonia, which also account for 19% of total Triangle, as well as providing airport in terms of passenger space and nearly 3 million Barcelona is the leading
state spending on innovative activities. the catalyst for other traffic, handling more than visitors in 2009. European city for quality of life
• catalonia’s focus on promoting research in projects revolving around the 27.3 million passengers. • in 2010, for the thirteenth
recent years has greatly increased spending on knowledge economy and which • the Port of Barcelona was consecutive year, Barcelona
r&d, which reached 1.6% of GdP in 2008, whilst offer excellent business and ranked 12th amongst european once more occupied first place
the number of people working in research and investment opportunities. ports in terms of container in the ranking of european
development has risen to over 46,500. traffic in 2009. cities in terms of quality of life
• there were 210 technology parks and technology • the Barcelona-Madrid bullet for employees, according to
and research centres in the Barcelona area in train (AVe) carried 2.7 million the European Cities Monitor
2010, as well as 9 science and technology facilities passengers in its second year (cushman & Wakefield).
of international standing. of operation.
DESPITE THE CRISIS, BARCELONA IS ENTREPRENEURIAL
458,918 6.7%
Barcelona houses the The rate of entrepreneurial
6,233
companies were created
26%
The ratio of business
2010
This year Catalonia has
35
according to the 2009 Global
headquarters of 458,918 activity surpasses that of in Barcelona in 2009, and regeneration (which measures received the entrepreneurial entrepreneurship monitor
companies, 14% of all the other countries with success- the city is at the top of the the rate of companies region award 2010 from on Catalonia, the average
companies in spain. ful business traditions like rankings for companies closing versus those of new the eu Committee of the Barcelona entrepreneur
Finland and Germany, along created per 1,000 creation) is more favourable regions. is an employed male with
with the european (5.8%) and inhabitants among large in Barcelona province (26%) university studies under 35
spanish (5.1%) averages. urban areas in spain. than in Catalonia (39%), the years of age.
european union (49%) and
spain (62%).
11. sPotLiGHt oN
“we Have stRengtHeneD tHe
teCHnOLOgy tRansfeR CentRe,
wHiCH HeLPs Us tO geneRate new
ReseaRCH PROJeCts”
Antoni Giró, UPC rector since 2006, has been reelected this year to hold
the position for another four years, which will be his second and final
term. We spoke to him about the future of the UPC. By Toni ponCe
11
Barcelona Good News
With the perspective you have gained over these students dedicate to working than on teaching hours. this
four years, how would you evaluate the progress means that a large portion of our teaching materials must
of the UPC over this period? also be changed. i think it is important to take full advantage THE KNOWLEDGE AND
the four years of this first term have been very intense, but very of the possibilities offered by it applications such as Atenea RESEARCH VALUE CHAIN
positive. i think we have taken a qualitative leap forward in to create adapted materials and at the same time to encour- “We are resolved to value research.
every sphere. age as much as possible dialogue with students. these are We have strengthened the Technology
these four years were devoted, among other things, to integrat- not things we are making up as we go along, but rather are Transfer Centre, which helps us to
ing our programs into the framework of the european Higher part of a clear strategy that the research and teaching teams generate new research projects. We
education Area (eHeA). From a teaching standpoint, we were have been incorporating into their work and developing. this have created a patent office to support
able to make a smooth transition to the eHeA, but it wasn’t easy. way, while one group carries out a task, another modifies lab our staff when applying for patents.
practices, another works on changes to the working groups, We have the innova programme, which
One of your defining characteristics is your another on the final research projects, etc., and when all provides advice for those wishing to
innovative spirit, as you have shown through of this is posted on the web publicly, it helps to enrich our create companies. and we have recently
your leadership as a teacher and as a researcher teaching and to give shape to the changes we are making and opened the upC’s Technological
working on several projects. As UPC rector, do consolidate them. you can’t expect there to be a huge trans- innovation Centre in order to help
you think applying this desire to innovate is formation overnight. channel companies’ requests for
compatible with everyday management tasks? research”.
i would say that more than being an innovator i have taken “It is important to take full advantage
full advantage of my detailed knowledge of the administra- of the possibilities offered by IT CLEAR ACCOUNTS
tion and of management in order to optimise resources and to applications to create adapted materials antoni Giró began his work as rector
be able to raise and manage the funds from several different and at the same time to encourage as with a predicted déficit that reached
investment plans. it is clear that research is one thing and much as possible dialogue with students” the level of €21 million, and ended
management is another, and they are very different. But it’s up closing that first year with €13.5
true that having experience with research can help you to be The implementation of the changes brought million in losses. The following year,
more creative as a manager. However, what really character- about by the EHEA is coming to an end during the deficit decreased to €3.5 million,
ises the job of a manager is work, work and more work! your term. What is your assessment of this and the next to €0.5 million. last
the team i have working with me is a very strong one. And change in the model at the UPC? year the result would have been a
that is critically important, because the rector can’t do every- What we have done during this term has been to set out the surplus of €2 million had the Catalan
thing. the key to success also lies with the team you have, as specifics of the eHeA, but it was just last year that we have government carried out its original
well as with everyone who works at the university every day. begun the new degree programmes, as we already had a wide financial plan.
range of Master’s programmes on offer.
During your career you have also combined work But it was this year, in october, when the UPc’s programmes THE UPC, OPEN TO
as a teacher with management positions. With were definitively adapted to the framework of the eHeA. that THE WORLD
the experience you have amassed as rector, what is why we are introducing the new methodologies in each For the 2010-2011 academic year, the
has changed? What remains to be changed? academic term. upC is offering 60 university master’s
currently, and regarding teaching, the change in teaching over the next four years the changes will be monitored and programmes, 20 of which are offered in
methodology that we need to enact is crucial. the eHeA consolidated. to sum up, these past four years have been english so as to facilitate the arrival of
does not consist only of the harmonisation of programs of ones of adaptation, and the coming four years will be of con- international students.
study, but also of a need to focus learning more on the time solidation. that is the task we have before us now.
13. Wide ANGLe
1841: the beginnings
GAS NATURAL fENOSA in 1841 the French technician, charles Lebon, and
FroM GAs LiGHtiNG
the financier, Pere Gil, won the public tender to
provide Barcelona with gas lighting, the first of its
kind in spain. construction began on the country’s
to eLectricity first gas production plant in the Barceloneta
neighbourhood near the port, using coal as the
raw material. the following year, the first gas-lit
More than 150 years’ experience vouch for gas natural fenosa, a
streetlamps were in place.
company created in 1843 to provide the city of Barcelona with gas-lit the first activities carried out by the company,
streetlamps. today, the gas natural fenosa group is the leading firm sociedad catalana para el Alumbrado por Gas,
on the iberian Peninsula combining both gas and electricity and amongst founded in 1843, included extending the gas net-
the top ten european public utilities, with a presence in more than work throughout the city and progressively adding
streetlamps as well as finding private clients who
23 countries and more than 20 million clients around the world.
wanted this type of lighting in their own homes. the
company also began its national expansion shortly
thereafter, opening gas plants in seville and Ferrol.
the company joined the Barcelona stock market in
1846, and it is the only company of its type to have
remained publicly listed uninterruptedly until this
very day. After various changes in name, sociedad
catalana para el Alumbrado por Gas is today known
as Gas Natural Fenosa. its new headquarters, in-
augurated in 2008, are found on the site of the very
first gas plant in Barcelona, spain.
13
Barcelona Good News
Looking towards the future
the merger between Gas Natural and Unión Fenosa
took place in 2009, creating the largest gas and
electricity company in spain and in Latin America,
while also making it the leader in natural gas com-
mercialisation on the iberian Peninsula, the third
liquefied natural gas (LNG) operator in the world
with a fleet of 13 carriers and the largest distributor
of LNG in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
The company, a leader in the
distribution sector, has a share
in 3 regasification plants (2
more in project), 2 liquefaction
plants and different projects in
the gas value chain
Leveraging its various strengths from a position
of leadership is a fundamental pillar for the
multinational. its business model is based around
global energy management that is able to compete
efficiently in markets that are submitted to an
increasing process of integration, globalisation and
high competition.
the company, a leader in the distribution sector,
has a share in 3 regasification plants (2 more in
project), 2 liquefaction plants and different projects
in the gas value chain.
HISTORIC MILESTONES
1841
French technician, Charles
1889
The company Compañía
1907
Juan ron and the marquis
1969
Catalana de Gas y electricidad,
1992
Gas natural began its pro-
2000-2010
in 2000 the company began to sell
lebon, and financier,pere madrileña de alumbrado de urquijo began con- through its affiliate with exxon, cess of international expan- electricity on the deregulated span-
Gil, won the public tender to y Calefacción por Gas, struction on the Bolarque called Gas natural, began the sion in 1992, with its entry ish market, and in 2002 the company
provide Barcelona with gas consisting of French capital, hydraulic power plant in era of natural gas in spain into the argentine market. began production at spain’s first
lighting, the first of its kind entered the spanish Guadalajara between the signing supply contracts with The group’s process of inter- combined cycle power plant. after
in spain. Business activities electricity market with the Tagus and Guadiela rivers. libya and algeria, the con- nationalisation was intensi- realizing its goal of uniting gas and
began in 1843 with the task of foundation of the company The plant was inaugurated struction of the first spanish fied in 1997, when it began electricity through its acquisition
providing the city of Barcelona Compañía General madrileña in 1910 by h.r.h. King methane carrier featuring cryo- activities in Brazil, Colombia of unión Fenosa in 2009, this year,
with gas street lighting de electricidad, the leading alfonso Xiii, with the power genic technology, the launch and mexico. 2010, the company has launched its
electrical energy firm in the generated reaching the of the regasification plant in new brand, Gas naTural Fenosa.
country’s capital over the city of madrid. Barcelona and the develop-
following years. ment of the lnG market.