Last year was a crucial period for the .barcelona domain, with a large number of key events for the city. Active participation in the most important digital congresses, such as the E-Show, BizBarcelona and WordCamp, have further strengthened the commitment to the local digital sphere.

One of the most significant projects promoted by .barcelona was to help the city’s sports clubs and organisations go digital through the initiative elmeuclubesportiu.barcelona. The project has helped reduce the digital divide in this sector, at the same time introducing people to the domain and the values and benefits associated with it.

Collaboration with other domains such as .cat, .gal and .eus took centre stage in a working meeting on 8 June. The session was used to share plans and perspectives, establish ties and explore future internet trends.

On an international level, .barcelona shared its local digitalisation projects with the GeoTLD Group at the annual meeting in Cologne, contributing to common strategies on the NIS2 directive and co-marketing.

At the ICANN 78 Congress in Hamburg, the .barcelona domain strengthened its role in internet governance, demonstrating the city’s commitment to the decisions that make up global digital architecture.

At the end of the year, the launch of the new image for the .barcelona domain signalled a strategic move to consolidate the domain as an essential point of reference for projects linked to the city.

This year gets under way with a strong determination to keep building a reputation, through collaboration with registration companies, co-marketing initiatives and an

important presence at major events. The .barcelona domain is becoming a fundamental tool for driving the city towards the digital future.

Cities are responsible for 70% of the CO₂ emissions generated around the globe and are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Yet while they’re part of the problem, they are also clearly essential in the solution.

Barcelona consumes 13.222 GWh a year, with renewable energies producing 1.229 GWh of this. This is a figure that needs to be increased significantly, which is why the city is working to build its own energy model based on the supply of 100% renewable energy, with zero emissions and democratically accessible to everybody.

The city thus continues its long-running fight against climate change, which since 2002 has seen it develop various planning measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase the generation of local renewable energy, improve energy efficiency and adapt to the expected impacts.You can find full information on the website energia.barcelona, where you can also check your energy rights  and access documents, advice and guides on improving energy savings.

Cities shine bright, with thousands of lights glittering in the streets, on trees and in houses. It’s the most magical moment of the year, when we whisper our wishes in the hope that they’ll be granted.

If yours is to gain an internet presence, it’s in your hands. It’s the .barcelona domain and it knows no linguistic or geographical frontiers, allowing you to use special characters and helping you to stand out on Google Maps.

Only thirty cities around the world have a gift like this in their sack, the star on top of the tree for innovative projects, local businesses and initiatives firmly rooted in the city, as well as those looking to get into the market in Barcelona.

If you already have a domain other than .barcelona, ask for it as a secondary option and multiply the possibilities of getting seen online. Remember to put it on your Christmas wish list!

Barcelona is known for its architecture, design and urban planning, among other things. The quintessential dissemination facility is the Museu del Disseny (DHub), a spectacular building which has just celebrated its ninth anniversary.

Its temporary exhibitions will be on display until early January and are devoted to the project Oh!Pera (by the Gran Teatre del Liceu), Catalan and Balearic architecture from recent years and the projects selected as the best of the year by FAD.

The DHub has also prepared various activities for children, linked to the current displays. Little ones can take part in the Christmas workshop ‘El Nadal a la butxaca’ and design a pouch they can keep their favourite gift in.

For those a little older, there’s a chance to create a trail of colour papers and Christmas designs, inspired by the prints by the women designers in the exhibition Here We Are! Women in Design. 1900-Today.

Last but not least, we also recommend you visit the museum’s permanent exhibitions, which are well worth it!

You’ll find full information and more activities at dissenyhub.barcelona. 

Founded by Queen Elisenda of Montcada in 1327, the Monastery of Pedralbes is one of the finest examples of Catalan Gothic architecture and monastic life in a cloistered community. It offers numerous activities delving into its 700-year history, reflecting its spaces or enabling visitors to enjoy time there with the family. You can find them at the monastery’s domain: monestirpedralbes.barcelona. 

Besides visits to the monumental site, every month visitors can attend one of the various guided tours by booking in advance on the website. These tours offer a chance to discover different aspects of the monastery: its architecture, the food its residents eat or the importance of water on the site.

With Christmas just around the corner, there are also many family activities linked to the festive season, such as a workshop on cyanotypes, another on advent crowns and another on Christmas sweets for little ones.  

Yet one of the main events at the monastery are undoubtedly the concerts, the centuries-old walls providing one of the finest settings. Tickets are now on sale for this year’s Christmas concert, with works by Händel, Scarlatti and Geminiani.You’ll find full information and more activities at monestirpedralbes.barcelona.

Hamburg hosted the 78^th Annual General Meeting of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) from 21 to 26 October, a key event in the world of internet governance.

The presence of the .barcelona domain at this global forum is significant as it demonstrates the city’s commitment to internet governance and active participation in the decisions that affect global digital architecture. Through this participation at ICANN 78, the .barcelona domain reaffirms its determination to be a fundamental part of the discussions that shape the future of the internet.

During the congress, representatives from the .barcelona domain took part in working sessions, debates and meetings with other key stakeholders in the internet community.

Through this interaction, representatives of various domains were able to share the successes and challenges experienced to date, as well as perspectives on the role of city domains in the configuration of the digital ecosystem.

At the same time, the presence of the .barcelona domain offered the chance to establish collaboration with other cities and regions looking at adopting city domains as a tool for digital projection. Through its own exclusive domain, the city of Barcelona can become a role model and source of inspiration for other cities looking to consolidate their digital presence.

One of the main topics addressed at the meeting was the European NIS2 directive on cybersecurity, a very important issue as it highlights how the European Union regulates and how its legislation can influence an international institution such as the ICANN, with repercussions for a global market and thousands of organisations in the world.

While there are still a lot of doubts over how the NIS2 directive will affect domains, we believe that collaboration in this area is essential to guarantee internet security, and that meetings such as this hold the key to establishing some guidelines for action.

Finally, we were also able to celebrate Nacho Amadoz being named as the vice-chair for the Generic Names Supporting Organisation (GNSO), one of the main organisations making upthe ICANN. Nacho Amadoz, the corporate director for the Fundació.cat (the organisation that manages the .barcelona and .cat domains), will combine this new role with his role as the chair of the geoTLD.group.