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Mayor, Ruiz-Gallardon
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Plaza de la Villa
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Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon is mayor of the City of
Madrid. In the course of this wide ranging interview
he covers, among other topics, the challenges facing
the Spanish capital, the reasons why its economy
has taken off, his contacts with cities in the United
States, Madrid's bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics,
and the impact of new technologies on the city's
future.
Question: How
would you define Madrid in 2004?
Answer: As a modern
and prosperous city which -- thanks to its dynamism
and flexibility -- belongs to the network of great
cities around the globe capable of attracting investments
and visitors from other countries and continents.
Madrid was not always like this. In recent years
this city has undergone an important transformation
parallel to the profound changes that have taken
place in Spain. Madrid mirrors the political and
economic changes in our country -- and I would like
to stress this. The processes of decentralization
at home and integration abroad that contributed
to the changes in Spanish society and the economy
brought particular benefits to our city. What has
been good for Spain, has been even better for Madrid.
Q: What
challenges does the city of Madrid face today?
A: Well, the
city government has ambitious plans for Madrid in
the 21st century. We have a project based on a series
of essential strategic elements, with investment
and infrastructure as the main instruments of growth.
And some of the elements that will ensure our future
include air, rail and road services; offering the
public advanced information systems; promoting cultural
and leisure tourism not to mention high quality
shopping. And then there's our campaign for the
2012 Olympics.
Q: Madrid
has made significant advances in the past five years
as a business and financial center. What are the
reasons for this progress?
A: In the last
five years Madrid's economy has grown at twice the
European Union's growth rate, creating a climate
of optimism and confidence among its citizens, business
people, and investors in the opportunities that
the city has to offer. This aspect, together with
other key factors such as political and labor stability,
the high standards of quality control in the work
force, the construction of new infrastructure, and
the positive economic outlook make Madrid an area
full of business opportunities. Besides, Madrid
enjoys an advantageous geostrategic position offering
North American investors an attractive geographic
and cultural reach that extends beyond the European
continent to South America and North Africa.
Q: You
have visited the United States on various occasions.
What differences do you see between running a city
in North America and a city in Spain, like Madrid?
What can they learn from each other?
A: The differences
between cities in the United States and in Spain
are many for a variety of reasons such as urban
development, population patterns, and history. In
the center of Madrid there are buildings and streets
dating from the 15th century, whereas Washington
has the appearance of a modern city, even though
it was founded in the late 18th century. In North
America, the center of the city consists of office
buildings from which all life and activity disappears
once the working day ends. In the historic center
of Madrid there are residences, stores, places of
amusement, and we want to preserve this variety.
But the reality is that all major cities, regardless
of their geographical location, face a series of
common challenges. Administrations on both sides
of the Atlantic share the mission of meeting the
growing demand for services. The exchange of experiences
between cities has become fundamental to finding
satisfactory solutions to such problems as mobility,
or the environment, or integrating new citizens,
or public security. That's why one of our objectives
is to explore the creation of new areas of collaboration
with cities in the United States to come up with
solutions to common problems.
Q: Which
U.S.mayors do you know, and what is the nature of
your relationship with them?
A: In the past,
as President of the Community of Madrid I had occasion
to visit Miami where I met the mayor of that city,
Alex Penelas. We developed various topics and joint
projects between our two cities -- cities that are
the economic movers of their respective areas, and
where a great many citizens share the same language
and the same culture. I've also met Rudolph Giuliani,
although at the time he was no longer mayor of New
York, nor was I mayor of Madrid. I wanted to hear
details of the security arrangements he had put
in place when he was in office.
Q: Can
you reveal any details of Madrid's campaign to host
the 2012 Summer Olympics?
A: Madrid is
a serious contender to host the 2012 Olympic Games
because its offer rests on five main pillars --
solid structures, proximity of venues, mobility,
ease of access, and respect for the environment.
In the Madrid project, the Olympic Games will be
the first in history to make the use of private
cars unnecessary. But mainly, our candidacy is guaranteed
by the support of all of Spain. 88 percent of Madrilenos
and 82 percent of all Spaniards are backing us.
In addition, the government, the Madrid region,
the administration of the city, the Spanish Congress
of Deputies and the Senate, the political parties,
the labor unions, the business sector, the universities,
and all of society have expressed their confidence
in the project.
Q: But
the Games will be a security nightmare, and don't
always turn out to be economically profitable...
A: Ours is a
justifiable aspiration. Madrid is the only major
European capital in contention that has never hosted
the Olympic Games. We think the games present an
opportunity for Madrid to show the world that it
has undergone an important transformation in the
past decades, and is ready to put its historical
and cultural heritage at the disposal of the Olympic
family.
With regard to security, Madrid has considerable
experience in hosting major international meetings.
The Middle East Peace Conference, various Europian
Union summits, the International Monetary Fund summit,
and the more recent Iraq Donors Conference have
demonstrated that we are capable of guaranteeing
the security of our guests. Moreover, the plan is
to set up a Senior Commission for Olympic Security,
and a Central Control in which all the state security
organizations will be represented. These organizations
will plan, execute, coordinate, and oversee all
the security operations.
As for the financial return, Madrid has embarked
on a process of modernization -- including key infrastructure
projects -- quite independently of its Olympic aspirations.
But there is also Olympics-related construction
70 percent of which is already finished, or is well
in hand. So one aspect of what we gain from the
Olympics is this legacy. Madrid will benefit from
those installations to consolidate its position
as one of the most competitive venus in europe and
the world.
Q: In
his recent address before the U.S.Congress Prime
Minister Jose Maria Aznar declared that Spain is
resolved to maintain its current good relations
with the United States. How does that policy impact
on the City of Madrid?
A: I share the
Prime Minister's view on the importance of our transatlantic
ties. As the most important city in Spain we want
to translate the current interest in collaboration
into concrete action in the areas of tourism, the
economy, and business. Our aspiration is to be the
liaison between North and South America and Europe.
Our relations with all three regions and our history
qualify us to fulfill this role.
Q: How
is Madrid preparing for the forthcoming wedding
of Prince Felipe, the Spanish crown prince, and
Dona Letizia Ortiz?
A: Clearly,
we realize that the wedding of H.R.H.the Prince
of Asturias on May 22 in Madrid will be of world
wide interest. For that reason Madrid must be prepared
to be seen at its best. It's a chance to show the
world that Madrid is a modern city with an important
cultural and artistic heritage to offer, and that
its citizens are actively involved in the events
of their city.
Q: How
does the Mayor of Madrid see the future of the City
of Madrid, and what impact are the new technologies
having on the city?
A: I think the
future of this city is tied up with what happens
in other major European and world cities. A lot
will depend on our ability to sustain our ability
to attract investment and tourism in fiercely competitive
surroundings.
Innovation and technology are key to Madrid's future.
We have set in motion a series of initiatives that
will ensure a strong network of communication services
for all our citizens and commercial enterprises.
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