Valencia and Lisbon’s Bold New Partnership: How This Will Transform Tourism, Innovation, and Connectivity in Europe – Travel And Tour World

Report on the Strategic Partnership Between Valencia and Lisbon for Sustainable Urban Development

Executive Summary: A Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17)

The cities of Valencia and Lisbon have formalized a strategic partnership through a memorandum of understanding, aimed at advancing shared goals in innovation, sustainable tourism, and urban resilience. This collaboration serves as a direct implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), establishing a cooperative framework between Mediterranean and Atlantic cities to accelerate progress towards sustainable development. The agreement, signed by Mayor María José Catalá of Valencia and Mayor Carlos Moedas of Lisbon, focuses on exchanging best practices to create a more sustainable, connected, and prosperous future for both municipalities.

Fostering Innovation and Resilient Infrastructure (SDG 9)

A central pillar of the partnership is the creation of an “innovation corridor” to bolster technological and economic growth, directly contributing to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The objective is to build resilient infrastructure and foster inclusive and sustainable industrialization by promoting innovation.

• Innovation Ecosystems: The collaboration will link Valencia’s technology hubs, such as Valencia Innovation Capital and the Marina Tech Hub, with Lisbon’s Unicorn Factory Lisboa.
• Key Technology Sectors: The partnership will prioritize mutual growth in critical areas for sustainable development, including:
  1. Artificial Intelligence
  2. Sustainable Mobility
  3. Digital Health
  4. Digital Transformation of Public Administration
• Network Development: The agreement aims to strengthen networks of incubators, accelerators, and research centers to drive technological progress and social solutions.

Advancing Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)

The partnership places significant emphasis on creating inclusive, safe, and resilient urban environments, in line with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Key initiatives focus on sustainable tourism, cultural preservation, and urban resilience.

• Sustainable Tourism Model: Both cities will collaborate on a tourism model that prioritizes the well-being of local communities and minimizes environmental impact. This includes using technology to manage visitor flows and reduce strain on local resources.
• Cultural Exchange: The shared heritage of Saint Vincent the Martyr will be leveraged to foster collaboration between museums and creative industries, enhancing the cultural fabric of both cities.
• Urban Resilience and Climate Adaptation: A shared commitment has been made to develop strategies for climate-resilient infrastructure and improve emergency response systems to address the challenges of climate change, directly supporting the goal of making cities more resilient.

Enhancing Connectivity and Climate Action (SDG 13)

The development of sustainable transport infrastructure is a key component of the agreement, addressing both economic connectivity and environmental responsibility. This initiative is aligned with SDG 13 (Climate Action) by promoting lower-carbon transport solutions.

• Mediterranean-Atlantic Rail Corridor: A primary objective is the expansion of the rail highway connecting Valencia’s port to Madrid and extending it to Lisbon.
• Benefits of Rail Expansion: This project is expected to:
  1. Boost commercial relations and trade between Spain and Portugal.
  2. Facilitate carbon-efficient transport for goods and people.
  3. Enhance logistical operations and supply chain resilience.

Promoting Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

The partnership is designed to stimulate economic activity and create high-quality employment, contributing to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Valencia’s recent success in attracting investment highlights the potential for this collaboration to foster sustained and inclusive economic growth.

• Investment and Job Creation: In the last two years, Valencia has attracted 53 new companies, resulting in over €310 million in investment and the creation of 2,600 qualified jobs.
• Public-Private Collaboration: The partnership will build on a model of public-private collaboration to create a stable and attractive environment for entrepreneurs and investors in both cities.

Conclusion: An Integrated Model for Sustainable Development

The Valencia-Lisbon partnership represents a comprehensive strategy for achieving sustainable urban development by integrating economic, social, and environmental objectives. By focusing on innovation (SDG 9), urban resilience (SDG 11), climate action (SDG 13), and economic prosperity (SDG 8), all underpinned by a strong partnership (SDG 17), the two cities are creating a scalable model for inter-city cooperation. This alliance is poised to strengthen the Mediterranean-Atlantic region and serve as an exemplar for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals at the municipal level.

Analysis of SDGs in the Valencia-Lisbon Partnership Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article emphasizes “innovation-driven economic growth,” the creation of “employment opportunities,” and attracting investment. It specifically mentions that Valencia has attracted over €310 million in investment, leading to “2,600 new qualified jobs.” The focus on developing a “sustainable urban tourism model” that creates jobs also aligns with this goal.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • This goal is central to the article. The partnership aims to build an “innovation corridor” by linking technology ecosystems like “Valencia Innovation Capital” and “Unicorn Factory Lisboa.” The focus on “artificial intelligence,” “sustainable mobility,” and “digital health” highlights the commitment to technological advancement. Furthermore, the plan to expand the “rail highway” for “carbon-efficient transport” directly addresses the development of sustainable infrastructure.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The partnership is fundamentally about improving urban life. Key themes include “smart city development,” “sustainable urban living,” and “urban resilience.” The collaboration aims to create a “sustainable urban tourism model” that benefits residents and uses technology to “manage visitor flows,” reducing the negative impacts of tourism. The focus on “climate-resilient infrastructure” and adapting to environmental threats also supports this goal.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • The article explicitly states a shared focus on “urban resilience,” “climate adaptation,” and “sustainable urban development” in response to “climate change.” The cities will share “strategies for climate-resilient infrastructure” to better cope with environmental threats, which is a core component of climate action at the local level.

5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The entire article describes a “strategic partnership” between Valencia and Lisbon, formalized by a “memorandum of understanding.” This collaboration between two cities to achieve shared goals in sustainability, innovation, and economic growth is a perfect example of SDG 17, which promotes partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The article’s focus on building an “innovation corridor” and supporting “technology firms” in sectors like AI and digital health directly supports this target.
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all. The partnership’s goal to “create employment opportunities” and the reported creation of “2,600 new qualified jobs” align with this target.
   • Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs. The agreement to collaborate on a “sustainable urban tourism model” that benefits residents and the local economy is a direct reflection of this target.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The plan to expand the “rail highway” between Valencia and Lisbon to create “carbon-efficient transport” is a clear example of this target.
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries. The collaboration between “Valencia Innovation Capital” and “Unicorn Factory Lisboa” to foster links between their “innovation ecosystems” directly addresses this target.
   • Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research and innovation. The article highlights Valencia’s initiatives like “Sandbox València” and the “Marina Tech Hub” which provide an environment for “innovative solutions.”

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all. The expansion of the rail link to connect the two cities contributes to sustainable transport infrastructure.
   • Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. The partnership’s aim to foster “cultural connections” and promote collaboration between “museums” as part of a sustainable tourism strategy aligns with protecting cultural heritage.
   • Target 11.b: By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters. The agreement to share “strategies for climate-resilient infrastructure” and focus on “urban resilience” and “climate adaptation” is a direct implementation of this target.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The commitment to work together on “climate adaptation” and develop “climate-resilient infrastructure” to cope with “climate change, rising sea levels, and other environmental threats” directly supports this target.

5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The formal “strategic partnership” and “memorandum of understanding” between the mayors of Valencia and Lisbon to achieve common goals is a city-to-city public partnership that exemplifies this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several explicit and implied indicators:

• Explicit Quantitative Indicators:
  • Number of new jobs created: The article states the creation of “2,600 new qualified jobs.”
  • Amount of foreign investment: It mentions an investment of “over €310 million.”
  • Number of new companies: “53 companies” have established themselves in Valencia.
  • Innovation ecosystem ranking: Valencia is home to one of the “world’s top 100 emerging technology ecosystems.”
• Implied Qualitative and Milestone Indicators:
  • Formalization of partnership: The signing of the “memorandum of understanding” is a key indicator of progress for SDG 17.
  • Infrastructure development: The successful extension of the “rail highway” to Lisbon would be a clear indicator for SDG 9.
  • Policy implementation: The development and implementation of a shared “sustainable urban tourism model” and “strategies for climate-resilient infrastructure” would serve as indicators for SDGs 8, 11, and 13.
  • Technological application: The use of “technology to manage visitor flows” is a measurable outcome for sustainable tourism management under SDG 11.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: travelandtourworld.com