Barcelona kicks off campaign for Mobile World Congress

The objective of the proposal, announced by the city mayor Ada Colau, is to reinforce the idea of the capital as “the technological hub of southern Europe”

Barcelona mayor Ada Colau answers questions at the press conference organized by the Association of Catalan Journalists on January 22 2018 (by Aleix Freixas)
Barcelona mayor Ada Colau answers questions at the press conference organized by the Association of Catalan Journalists on January 22 2018 (by Aleix Freixas) / Nazaret Romero

Nazaret Romero | Barcelona

January 23, 2018 01:04 PM

Just in time for the Mobile World Congress (MWC), an international campaign will be kicked off to promote the city of Barcelona and to reinforce the idea that “Barcelona is the technological hub of southern Europe,” as the city’s mayor Ada Colau explained.

Colau explained in a press conference that “the October 1 police actions and the uncertainty brought by the declaration of independence have affected” the city and this is why, for the 2018 MWC, the official wishes to take advantage of the city being in the international spotlight and filled with activity to “bring confidence back to the Catalan capital.”

The Barcelona mayor, who cut her teeth as a grassroots activist in the housing sector after Spain’s economic crash, also expressed concern over the constant issues with evictions and rising rent prices. Inasmuch, she also announced her plans to modify ordinances so that comprehensive reforms cannot be taken advantage of in order to pressure or put tenants out on the streets.