News | 08 October 2024

Barcelona supports Barcelona Mar de Ciencia to raise awareness of oceanic research and encourage citizen participation

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The centre will strengthen the connection between ocean research and society, offering activities for the general public, educators, artists, government bodies, and businesses.

The Barcelona Mar de Ciència space will be located at the Marina dock of the Olympic Port / ICM-CSIC.
The Barcelona Mar de Ciència space will be located at the Marina dock of the Olympic Port / ICM-CSIC.

Barcelona is reinforcing its commitment to the sea, research, and the blue economy through three new facilities, with the standout project being the Barcelona Mar de Ciència (BCN MdC), located at Marina Pier in the Olympic Port. This centre will become a leading hub for marine scientific culture, knowledge transfer, and public engagement, bringing ocean research and sustainability closer to the public.

BCN MdC aims to establish a link between citizens and the sea and will be managed by the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC) with support from the Olympic Port. The facility, spanning 3,000 square metres, is backed by a €30 million investment from Barcelona City Council. It will be free and open to all, offering a wide variety of activities catering to different audiences. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and finish by 2027.

"BCN MdC aims to raise public awareness of the environmental challenges facing our oceans and promote a culture of sustainability. Its environment will foster synergies between scientific research and the blue economy, creating a space where science and innovation meet education and outreach," explains Valentí Sallarès, Director of ICM-CSIC.

A Place for Ocean Discovery

The Barcelona Mar de Ciència project (BCN MdC) is the result of a partnership between Barcelona City Council, the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), and Barcelona de Serveis Municipals (BSM). It aims to become the city’s leading experimental space dedicated to ocean exploration. With its strategic location and activity programmes, the centre will encourage collaboration between various public and private stakeholders, raising awareness of the ocean's crucial role in planetary health and seeking solutions to current challenges.

“The project is designed as a new and pioneering experimental space to promote the participation of various social and professional sectors, creating opportunities for discovery, debate, co-creation, and the development of new narratives about the ocean’s importance to planetary health, the climate emergency, and biodiversity. It will offer a wide range of research-based content, including exhibitions, artist residencies, debates, immersive experiences, themed events, professional training, workshops, and activities for all audiences," says Elisabetta Broglio, ICM researcher and MdC project coordinator.

This space will allow the public to observe and participate in marine exploration, contributing to greater understanding and respect for the marine environment among the city’s residents. Additionally, its location in the Olympic Port will create synergies between scientific research and projects linked to the blue economy, integrating the centre into the local community and connecting with the city’s coastal neighbourhoods. The Mediterranean Space and the Barceloneta Community Plan are just a couple of examples of the projects that BCN MdC will collaborate with to ensure that citizens actively participate in content development and activity programming.

A Project that Positions Barcelona as a Leader in Marine Science

BCN MdC is a clear commitment to strengthening Barcelona’s role as a pioneering city in open science and marine sustainability, creating connections with other coastal cities facing similar challenges. With a €30 million investment, the centre will offer 3,000 square metres dedicated to scientific outreach, training, interaction, and cooperative work, with construction expected to start in 2026 and be completed by 2027.

This project complements other major initiatives along Barcelona’s coastline, such as the Maritime Technology Park and the Blue Tech Port, which are part of the city’s Strategic Plan for Coastal Areas. Together, these facilities will consolidate Barcelona as a capital of the blue economy, enhancing its relationship with the sea and boosting its international reputation in innovation, research, and sustainability.

Three Facilities to Transform Barcelona’s Coastline

The Barcelona Mar de Ciencia Centre is part of a €142 million global investment that includes two other strategic projects: the Barcelona Maritime Technology Park and the Blue Tech Port, designed to promote research, training, and entrepreneurship in the maritime sector.

With an investment of €56 million, the Maritime Technology Park will be located at the New Mouth of the Port and will offer cutting-edge infrastructure such as a hydrodynamic pool and a navigation simulator. Meanwhile, the Blue Tech Port, also receiving €56 million, will become an innovation hub focused on the blue economy, located at Sant Bertran Pier.

These three projects, framed within the city’s Strategic Plan for Coastal Areas, will strengthen the relationship between Barcelona and its maritime front, reaffirming its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and marine culture, and establishing the city as the Mediterranean capital of the blue economy. This sector already accounts for 4.3% of the city’s GDP and includes activities such as maritime logistics, marine renewable energy, and tourism.