The Metropolitan Area of Barcelona commemorates its 15 years in the Parliament, highlighting the importance of political consensus. The event brought together key figures and addressed future challenges.
In an emotional ceremony held at the Parlament de Catalunya, the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB) commemorated its 15th anniversary, an event that underscored the need for political consensus to tackle metropolitan challenges. The president of the AMB and mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, opened the event by recalling the words of former mayor Pasqual Maragall, who dreamed of an administration that would unite municipalities around common goals.
A legacy of collaboration
Since its creation, the AMB has integrated 36 municipalities, covering an area of 636 km² and representing more than 3.4 million people. This conglomerate is not only vital for urban management but also accounts for over 52% of Catalonia's GDP. In this context, Collboni emphasized that the AMB must continue to be an example of collaboration among different political forces. “Today we celebrate a pact that was not easy,” he stated.
New challenges for the metropolitan future
Throughout the event, the next steps to strengthen the metropolitan structure were discussed. Collboni mentioned the expansion of the AMB and the development of the Besòs axis as a priority, where areas with great industrial potential are located. “It is essential to articulate policies that respond to the needs of a growing population,” he highlighted.
Round table on history and future
A round table titled ‘L’Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona: 15 years of trajectory’ brought together historical figures such as Xavier Trias, former mayor and former president of the AMB, as well as the former president of the Generalitat José Montilla. The participants reflected on the origins of the AMB following the previous dissolution of the Metropolitan Corporation in 1987 and how that experience shaped the current foundations.
Thanks and looking ahead
Closing the event, the president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, emphasized the importance of political pact to achieve significant progress. “Doing politics means knowing how to give up for a greater good,” Illa expressed before an audience composed of local and regional political leaders. The celebration culminated with a strong commitment to the future: “The AMB will continue to be an essential part of the solution to social problems.”
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