Gallery
Fortes Vision
United States
Credits
The Barcelona-Esplugues innovation district
Notes
**Esplugues Innovation District** is a bold new vision for a forgotten corner of Barcelona’s metropolitan area. Just northwest of the city, this district is being transformed into a vibrant hub for science, startups, and smart living. Led by the Esplugues City Council and Aretian Urban Analytics and Design, the project brings together public and private forces — from hospitals and universities to over 350 startups — to rethink how cities grow around knowledge and care.
One of the biggest challenges was turning scattered, outdated data into a clear picture of what this area could become. Using advanced urban analytics, the team built a roadmap for economic and spatial development rooted in real local needs. With institutions like UPC, UB, IESE, and ESADE on board, the district is set to become a testing ground for the future of innovation-driven cities — greener, smarter, and more connected to the people who live and work there.