Bilbao’s “City of Values” initiative sets a global benchmark: What new updates for you?

Written By: Paramita Sarkar

Paramita Sarkar

Story-telling has been one of my favourite passtimes and when it is about travel, every other activity seems to fall short. I started my journey as a freelancer close to two decades ago having worked with various online portals inclduding Sambhar Stories, Thirllophilia and so on. Down the years, life has rewarded me with experiences, only adding to my writing practice. Even though teaching has been my primary profession and passion, choosing the job of a travel journalist was not quite dilemmatic when selected by the esteemed editorial team of Travel And Tour World. Knowing and letting readers know about the quaint yet intriguing desintions across the globe through writing is something I always cherish and put in my best endeavour to.

See Full Bio

January 18, 2025 1:20 AM

Image generated with Ai

Bilbao, the largest city in Spain‘s Basque Country, with a population of approximately 350,000 and over one million in its metropolitan area, continues to evolve through its innovative initiative, Bilbao Balioen Hiria (BBH) – Bilbao City of Values.

This program places cultural values at the core of the city’s strategies for sustainable development, social inclusion, and citizen engagement.

From Industrial Hub to Cultural Beacon

The transformation of Bilbao began with the inauguration of the Guggenheim Museum in 1997, which marked the city’s shift from an industrial center to a global cultural and tourism destination.

Building upon this momentum, the Bilbao City Council launched the BBH initiative to further social and cultural progress, embedding shared values into the fabric of urban life.

The Bilbao Charter of Values

Central to the BBH initiative is the Bilbao Charter of Values, approved by the City Council on March 22, 2018.

This charter outlines 17 individual and collective values, including respect for human rights, social justice, gender equality, solidarity, diversity/inclusion, commitment, environmental sustainability, participation, trust, creativity, coexistence, identity, effort, co-responsibility, honesty, enthusiasm, and health.

Implementation and Community Engagement

The BBH project is structured around three core areas:

BBH Udala (City Council): Integrating the spirit of the Bilbao Charter of Values into daily city life through various plans, such as the Health Plan, Environmental Strategy, and Strategic Plan of Sport.

BBH Agiria (Values Charter): Promoting and disseminating the values charter among residents and social stakeholders, ensuring widespread understanding and adoption of the outlined values.

BBH Sariak (Awards): Recognizing and honoring organizations and initiatives that exemplify the city’s shared values, fostering a culture of appreciation and motivation for value-driven actions.

The City Council has translated the Bilbao Charter of Values into multiple languages, including English, French, Chinese, Arabic, Romanian, and Portuguese, to ensure accessibility for all residents.

International Recognition and Future Outlook

Bilbao’s commitment to embedding shared values into urban development has garnered international acclaim.

The city has been recognized for its efforts in promoting sustainable human development and aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The “Sustainable Bilbao: 2030 Agenda and SDGs” Action Plan exemplifies this commitment, aiming to create a more humane, livable, inclusive, and egalitarian city by 2030.

Mayor Juan Mari Aburto emphasized the city’s dedication to becoming a global benchmark in sustainable development, stating, “Our goal is to achieve a Bilbao 2030 that is more humane, more livable, more inclusive, and more egalitarian.”

Conclusion

Bilbao’s Bilbao Balioen Hiria initiative demonstrates the city’s innovative approach to urban development, placing shared cultural values at the heart of its growth.

By fostering collaboration among institutions, organizations, and citizens, Bilbao sets a precedent for other cities aiming to integrate cultural values into sustainable urban development.