https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254091209_The_knowledge_city_against_urban_creativity_Artists'_workshops_and_urban_regeneration_in_Barcelona

22@Barcelona

Overview

The 22@ Plan responds to a triple objective: Poblenou’s urban, economic and social renewal. And the project has to be seen in the Barcelona tradition of longterm strategic planning and design of the city model. Launched in 2000, this mixed-use development combines technological innovation with urban planning, creating a space where companies, universities, and residents coexist. The district serves as a testing ground for Barcelona's technological sovereignty approach, emphasizing citizen control of data, open-source technologies, and reduced dependence on large tech corporations. The project balances economic revitalization with social inclusion goals, though it continues to navigate tensions between innovation-driven growth and concerns about gentrification.

Goals and Aspirations

Urban Regeneration. Transform the industrial Poblenou neighborhood into a modern, mixed-use district with quality public spaces, sustainable infrastructure, and improved connectivity. The plan aims to preserve industrial heritage while creating a compact Mediterranean urban model that integrates residential areas with innovation spaces, maintaining Barcelona's human-scale urban design tradition.

Economy System. Establish a vibrant innovation district that attracts knowledge-intensive activities and fosters collaboration between businesses, universities, and research centers. The plan designates space for five strategic clusters (media, ICT, medical technologies, energy, and design) to position Barcelona as a competitive hub in the global knowledge economy while creating high-quality employment opportunities.

Social Renewal. Ensure the urban and economic transformation benefits existing residents through affordable housing provisions, public facilities, and job training programs. The plan seeks to preserve neighborhood identity and cultural heritage while creating a socially diverse district that prevents displacement and promotes equitable participation in the knowledge economy.

Key Characteristics

Strategic Clustering. One of the defining features of 22@Barcelona is its focus on clustering related industries to drive economic growth and innovation. The district is structured around five primary knowledge-based sectors:

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
Media and Cultural Industries
Design
Energy and Environmental Technologies
Biomedical Technologies

Mixed-Use Urban Development. 22@ employs a comprehensive mixed-use development model that integrates residential, commercial, educational, and recreational functions within the district. Key elements include:

The adaptive reuse of industrial buildings for startups and creative enterprises
The inclusion of both market-rate and affordable housing to accommodate a diverse population
The development of public parks and green spaces to enhance quality of life

Innovation and Sustainability. The district is supported by modern infrastructure tailored to the needs of innovative enterprises and a sustainable urban lifestyle. Notable investments include:

Deployment of high-speed fiber-optic internet and digital city services
Expansion of green infrastructure, including pedestrian zones and public gardens
Enhancement of sustainable mobility options, such as public transport, bike lanes, and smart mobility systems

Talent Attraction. 22@ places a strong emphasis on human capital by aligning its physical and institutional infrastructure to support talent development. This is achieved through:

Partnerships with universities such as Pompeu Fabra University and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC)
The establishment of research centers, business incubators, and startup accelerators
An internationalized environment that attracts students, researchers, and entrepreneurs from around the world

Stakeholders

Barcelona City Council. Initiator and primary public authority responsible for urban planning, policy-making, and infrastructure development in 22@.
Key Individual: Francesca Bria

22@Network BCN. A non-profit association of businesses, institutions, and universities in the district.
Key Individual: Susana Prado

Universities and Research Institutions. Provide academic, research, and talent infrastructure critical to 22@’s knowledge economy.\

Citizens of Barcelona. Directly affected by gentrification, housing prices, and urban transformation, but often marginalized in planning decisions.
Key individual: Yee Ding

Technology Interventions

Smart Urban Infrastructure. One of the earliest and most foundational technology interventions in 22@ was the deployment of high-speed fiber-optic broadband infrastructure, ensuring universal internet access throughout the district. This backbone has supported the growth of ICT companies and enabled advanced smart city applications.
Use cases include real-time urban monitoring, energy-efficient lighting systems, and smart mobility solutions. The infrastructure follows open standards and interoperability guidelines to facilitate integration with future technologies.

Smart Mobility Solutions. The district emphasizes smart, low-emission transport systems, including real-time public transport tracking, bike-sharing platforms, and pedestrian-first street design. IoT devices and GPS-enabled infrastructure feed data into a centralized traffic management system that improves efficiency and reduces environmental impact. Key platforms involved include Barcelona’s SMOU mobility app and integrations with TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona). The city promotes open access to mobility data through its Open Data BCN platform, supporting innovation by third-party developers and startups in the mobility sector.

Open City Dashboard. 22@ has leveraged digital platforms to enhance citizen interaction and transparency in urban governance. Through digital participation portals (e.g., Decidim Barcelona), residents can provide feedback on public projects and vote on local initiatives. These platforms use secure authentication standards and GDPR-compliant data protocols, ensuring that residents can participate safely.

Technological Entrepreneurship and Startups Supports. The district features a network of technology incubators, co-working spaces, and accelerators, many of which are supported by Barcelona Activa. These facilities offer access to digital tools, cloud computing credits, and training in AI, blockchain, and IoT technologies. Startups can leverage open APIs and real-world urban datasets to build and test solutions within a "living lab" environment. Business models vary, but many operate under public-private partnership models that balance innovation support with commercial viability.

Financing

Financing Scheme.

Financing Mechanism	Description	Details
Public Funding	Direct investment from the Barcelona City Council and public agencies	Over €180 million invested in infrastructure, public space, and basic services improvements
Private Investment	Urban development funded by private real estate and tech companies	70% of industrial area renovated; 141 private plans approved; >3 million m² transformed
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)	Collaborations between the city and private sector entities to co-fund and implement smart city projects.	Examples include: ICT network integration by IMI and district heating/cooling system with 52MW heating, 56MW cooling
European Union Grants	Funding from EU programs aimed at promoting innovation, sustainability, and digitalization in urban areas.	Likely contributors via ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) and Smart Cities initiatives
Land Revaluation (Value Capture)	Funding infrastructure through increases in land value post-development	Developers contribute to public infrastructure costs through zoning incentives and reclassification

Outcomes

Attraction of International Investments. Barcelona's strategic initiatives have attracted significant international investments, including the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Factory. This project, led by the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, involves a total investment of €174 million, combining contributions from the European Commission, the Spanish Government, and the Generalitat of Catalonia.

Development of Innovation Districts. The 22@Barcelona project transformed the former industrial area of Poblenou into a technological and innovation district, attracting over 4,300 companies, including major multinationals, startups, and research centers. The area is now internationally recognized as a model for knowledge-based urban regeneration.

Job Creation and Economic Diversification. The district has generated approximately 93,000 jobs, with a significant share in knowledge-intensive services. It has also diversified Barcelona’s economy beyond tourism and traditional manufacturing.

Urban Revitalization. 22@ has redeveloped over 70% of the old industrial land, introducing new housing units, office spaces, and public areas. This has improved urban density and enhanced the quality of life in Poblenou.

Open Questions

Sustainability and Long-term Funding. How will Barcelona ensure ongoing financial sustainability and consistent funding for continuous innovation, maintenance, and further expansion of digital infrastructure beyond initial project phases?

Interviews with Barcelona residents indicate satisfaction with improvements in public transportation and accessibility. However, there is a gap in public awareness regarding the economic benefits of these developments and the emergence of high-tech industries. The absence of effective communication strategies may lead to public disengagement, reducing support for ongoing and future projects.
The city's focus on specific funding mechanisms may limit its financial resilience: Concentrating investments in particular industries, such as mobile communications, could make the city's economy vulnerable to sector-specific downturns. There appears to be a lack of emphasis on diversifying funding sources, such as leveraging municipal bonds or engaging in broader international collaborations, which could enhance financial stability.

References

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources

Type

Tech-enabled District

Author

Yueqi Hu

Timeframe

2000—2019

Location

Barcelona, ESP

Lat: 41.4036, Lon:2.1944

Case Study Geography