Mayor Rita Barberá |
The Valencians of the 21st century
who have elected Rita Barberá as Mayor on
four consecutive occasions (the last three with
an absolute majority) inhabit today a city that
is in the vanguard, a city of entrepreneurs with
a lively and qualified population, with high-quality
services and excellent installations and facilities,
and where the vanguard can be seen to emerge from
the heart of the city and its thousand-year long
history.
Rita Barberá, is up for election
this year. The general consensus is that her track
record coupled with her charismatic personality
will get her re-elected for her fifth term as Mayor.
Early this year I sat down with her
to take stock of all the recent meetings and events
that have taken place in Valencia in 2006 and asked
her some questions on the past present and future.
Here is what she had to say.
2006 Has been
a spectacular year for Valencia, particularly with
respect to the major events and conventions that
took place here. Do you think that Valencia can
keep up the pace in the years to come?
During 2006 Valencia was selected
for four major world events: The Third Congress
on Victims of Terrorism, The Fifth Forum on World
Alliance of Cities against Poverty, The World Astronautical
Convention and The World Families Meet which of
course Pope Benedict presided over. This year in
2007 Valencia’s dream to host the America’s
Cup will become a reality. But that’s not all,
Valencia will continue being a progressive, modern
and innovative city for years to come.
We have to take into account that
the organization of these events is preparing us
for the future. As an example, since Valencia was
selected for the America’s Cup, 24 Hotels have
been built, with the majority being in the deluxe
range. Parallel to that, in the same period the
number of tourists has doubled in such a way as
to put Valencia on a list of must visit cities,
for Spanish and Europeans alike.
Another pertinent fact to relate
is that Tourism generated through Trade Fairs has
risen by 227%! The recent expansion of Feria Valencia
has made it the biggest in Europe. Tourism from
conventions has increased 476% which are held in
Norman Foster’s Convention Center. This is
only a brief aspect of what is propelling Valencia
and I am convinced that given Valencia’s confidence
and vitality this positive situation will continue
for years to come.
Did Pope Benedict’s
visit to Valencia this past summer have a positive
impact on the City as a whole?
Valencians and Valencia celebrated
the Pope’s visit intensely and with tremendous
joy. It was his first visit to this country and
Valencia benefited from it. During the period Pope
Benedict was here, the city became the home for
families from around the world. More than half a
million pilgrims, coming from five continents visited
us and were caught up and overwhelmed by the hospitality
of the Valencian people. Naturally preparing for
this event, was, for the city, a major undertaking
and at the end of the day everyone was happy and
Valencia basked in the limelight.
In the eyes
of the world, 2007 is "The Year of Valencia."
Is the City ready? And what measures has Valencia
taken to ensure security and safety?
Since the first minute Valencia was chosen to host
the America’s Cup, the municipality started
planning and then began implementing those plans.
Today the city center is only minutes away from
the sea thanks to a total renovation of its main
artery, Avenida del Puerto; Additionally, Valencia’s
streets are being spruced up and embellished alongside
new tramway routes. A new metro station by the Port
is planned. The air conditioning of the "leisure
zone" of The America’s Cup is an important
project, to add a comfort factor to the area. It
is a large space, alongside marinas and the waterfront
for Valencians and visitors alike, to view the events
or just take a leisurely stroll.
With respect to security Valencia’s
track record is impeccable. One need just look at
the past events of 2006 that we hosted. For those
events we implemented protection plans that tested
our organizational capability. For The America’s
Cup we have put into place a special security plan
which involves all branches of our state security.
It is a given, that such an international type of
event requires security on a national level. Presently
all the necessary measures are being taken to guarantee
the security of citizens and visitors alike for
the 32nd America’s Cup.
How do you
see Valencia, post America’s Cup?
Valencia has reinvented itself into one of the most
sought after destinations on the Mediterranean.
At present the renovation of our coast line is the
object of an international contest of ideas involving
world class architects, The Popular Party (The majority
party in the Valencian Region) has other on-going
projects such as Bioparc, a new zoological theme
park, a new football stadium born out of an accord
between Football Club Valencia and the Municipality,
a new Central Park, the restoration of the "Tabacalera"
building, which formed a prominent part of Valencia’s
Regional Exposition of 1909 and all culminating
with the restoration of Valencia’s historical
old quarter. Lastly we are preparing a new Urban
Formula One racecourse that will play host to world’s
best races and drivers and keep Valencia in the
forefront of people’s minds.
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