Gijón: “Port and City Together”

Q. Why has your port participated in the first ESPO Award?

A: Port-city and port-region relationships are central in the Port of Gijón’s strategic plan 2002-2020. Due to the spatial integration (embedding) of the port inside the city of Gijón, we need to establish a permanent dialogue and cooperation with the city and the region, in order to assure a positive connection with both local authorities. It is part of our corporate social responsibility model and long-term sustainability approach that we need a proper planning of port operations and activities.

Q. In a few words, please describe your "Gijón Port & City Together" project

A: "GPC-Together" is an integrated project, focusing on port-city relationships and consists of 76 small, medium and large actions developed over 25 years, from 1985 until 2010, and beyond. These cover the three felds targeted by the ESPO Award: - improving sustainable development synergies between ports and cities; - improving quality and accessibility of port areas; - promoting the image of the port as a place to experience, live and work. In addition to the examples given in the terms of reference, we are adding new ones, enlarging the scope of our work. We have included a second classification criterion to the actions developed by the Port Authority of Gijón, with a spatial location. The fourth criterion is used to identify those actions different to the three previous: Port, City, Region and Extra - the first external actions, developed in Spain or Europe.

Q: The Port of Gijón has surpassed ports such as Rotterdam, Stockholm, Genoa and Gent

A: The Port of Gijón is one of the main ports in Spain. However, compared with Europe, especially the north, we are a medium-sized port. Having been one of the finalists and one of the seven shortlisted ports, the ESPO Awards 2009 award has given us a "brand" which will enable us to strengthen our international position: "Port of Gijon, an important port in the European Atlantic Arc". This is an essential image as part of our business development.

Q: How optimistic were you of winning?

A. In principle, knowing the large number of projects that were presented - and, above all, of the number of relevant ports presented - we thought that the decision for us was going to be difficult. Furthermore, it was difficult to assess the situation, as this was the first time the prize had been awarded. We did think that one of the "major" ports could be the first to be awarded the prize, but we relied on the work we had done at Gijon in recent years and our achievements. Fortunately, our confidence was rewarded. The jury praised all our initiatives and our focus on citizens, our measurement of opinions in the port environment. And I was very pleasantly surprised with the results when we periodically take the pulse of the city and the region with regard to our activities and our extension work in what we called "Puertobarómetro. With this, the Port Authority of Gijón perceived that 81.7% of citizens have a "good" or "very good" opinion of the Port of Gijón; and 82.6% think that the port expansion is "beneficial" or "very beneficial" to Asturias.

Q: What do you think were the keys to success?

A: Spain is a country within the European Union in which, for its peculiarity Peninsular over 8,000 miles of coastline, maritime transport, ports and therefore, are key elements in economic development. In this sense, the Spanish Port System has become a reference in the European Union. It is noteworthy that the 7 ports finalists Spain had only two candidates: the Port of Algeciras and the port of Gijón. In the case of Puerto de Gijón, is has been working for years in an innovative port model result of integrated planning between Musel Commercial development and management of integrated spaces in the city. The coordination and excellent results of this system believe that they have been the keys to success. From a simple idea of recovery of land occupied by industrial concessions extinct, has been moving toward a much more ambitious strategic planning, prompted management unit, commercial development, technical and economic port in all areas.

Q: What elements of the project highlight the Port of Gijon?

A: It’s difficult to highlight any item individually. We have developed a number of projects gradually, recognising the heritage value of the port and bringing back to life obsolete spaces of the Old Port and creating walks, beaches, recreation areas and marinas; in cooperation with the city and the Principality of Asturias, we have also developed unique features, such as the Aquarium and the Thalassotherapy Center, training programs for school and university in maritime issues, empowerment of Lights for expository purposes, activities of the port of Gijón citizens; sponsorships for promotion of sports and culture, organization of leisure and cultural activities in port areas, environmental awareness programs for the Port Community, processes of international cooperation with the UN, publications and exhibitions for the recovery of the history of the city and its port, etc. The most spectacular projects are the recovery and transformation of infrastructure, but projects like the School Visits Program, where more than 2,000 school children annually enjoy a tour of our facilities or the training program to developing ports produce a lot of satisfaction. Another key project is the development of a port community that has enabled the internationalization of the port and its services. This is also integration with the environment.

Q. What stage of implementation is the project currently? What results have been achieved so far?

A: The project "GPC-together" is presented as a living element in continuous evolution. It started in 1985. Through an urban and social development with the collaboration and implication of agents and institutions, it has lasted till today, with plans for 2010 and beyond. The basis for a new planning is being defined, which will form a new boost to next years’ development. The reference period, in which the Project is described covers 25 years, a period of time in which changes and adaptations in the port and the city of Gijón have been and will still be materialised. For years, the Port of Gijón lived apart from the social life, the culture and the city or regional development. City and port were evolving separately. There was a lack of knowledge on the port’s industrial activities and its importance for economy and employment as well as local and regional growth. The main objective was the promotion of the port as a place to experience, live and work. 56 of the 76 actions of "GPC-together" were based on it, specifically on the themes of "cultural partnership" and "port heritage and other cultural values". Cultural partners focused on how to solve the collaboration problem between the port authority and other institutions, both public and private. Heritage and cultural values have been employed to solve the problem of how to communicate port activities to society.

Q. What other initiatives do you plan to take in the near future to increase the societal integration of your port?

A: There are many things to do. It is a living project and every day we are making it more attractive. As for the future? Well, every day we are working for the future of Gijon and the port. Look at the spa or aquarium; four years ago were not there. And do not forget that the Expansion of the Port and its operations will be, without doubt, the best contribution that we can make to society. There are two main working lines for the near future. The first one is the LABORAL Art Center and Industrial Design, a large complex of buildings, placed in the outskirts of the city of Gijón. The port contributed with €1.5 million distributed between 2006 and 2010. This complex is a centre for exhibition and development of modern digital art. The main objective is to merge art, science and technology. The second project is the support of the PERIODIC Actions that have showed a good social acceptance, especially those related to cultural partnerships and port heritage.

Q: Is the Port of Gijón adapted to new market demands?

A: Perfectly. And so this European recognition demonstrates that we have just been granted. Also in May the Port of Gijón, Asturias region held in the European Union Maritime Day. The Port of Gijon is working on several fronts simultaneously as a result of its Strategic Plan. On the one hand, transforming its quality management to market requirements in this sense the Seal 500 + of the EFQM model, ISO, and the application of modern tools in strategy, technology, innovation and organization are examples of the effort has been made. In addition to adapting its infrastructure to the new port models that require more space and drafts for new generation vessels, by acquiring logistics spaces, which provide land line second and third port; developing connected road access to ensure rapid movement, promote intermodality and logistics customers. Finally creating a diversification of trades to rebalance its cargo mix: we are currently tendering for a Liquid Bulk Terminal, we are about to begin the first Atlantic Sea Highway and container movements continue to grow.