Bilbao: Political Management based on Economic Stringency and Strategic Budgets

Home to around half the population and economic activity of the Basque Country… Per capita GDP: € 32.133 Bilbao Bizkaia Gipuzkoa Metropolitan Bilbao Population: 953.152 Per capita GDP: € 32.924 Álava Municipality of Bilbao Population: 354.860 Per capita GDP: € 26.225

Third City with best reputation in Spain… The study identifies the best cities to live, work, visit, study and do business.

A City that has reinvented itself…

Renovation of the City: Major investments in infrastructures…

An internationally recognized model

Bilbao is also an exemplary city that continually re-invents and evolves itself amidst dynamic changes, and serves as an inspiration to cities worldwide. The experience of Bilbao as a comprehensive "city project", incrementally executed through 25 urban projects over 25 years, has achieved a profound transformation of the city. As a result of this extraordinary transformation, the model of urban, economic and sustainable revitalization of the City of Bilbao has been internationally recognized, as shown by its selection to participate in the Urban Best Practices Area at the Shanghai Expo 2010 and the reception of the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize in recognition of its integrated and holistic approach in urban transformation.

THE PROJECT

2003 - 2011 1 Billion Euro investment Zero Debt (as for April 2011)

Different phases in its political management …. Structure and Team Control of Resources Planning Re-definition Implementation Benefits

Benefits from a dual perspective: social and corporate….

2009: Less indebted City in Spain… 2010: 20% reduce of the debt… 2011: the only large municipality at a national level that is DEBT-FREE…

Project objectives

Citizen Participation Design and steer a project for the future of Bilbao… GENERAL OBJECTIVE Manage the available resources effectively and transparently in conjunction with the citizens in response to their needs. 1 2 Strategic Planning Monitoring / Control 3 Transparency Governance Plan 2007-2011 Control Table and Indicator System 4 Citizen Participation Efficiency and Austerity Plan 5 Zero Borrowing Strategic Budgets

Resources and Budget

Monitoring of the Governance Plan Total budget… Governance Plan 2007-2011 191.983 € TOTAL Monitoring of the Governance Plan (2007 and 2008) 225.862 € 33.879 €

Implementation of the project

Two tools for the strategic planning… Governance Plan 2007-2011 Strategic Budgets Transfer of Political Objectives to Specific Action Plans, with their respective Monitoring Indicators. Transfer of Strategic Objectives for the Term of Office into Budgetary Commitments

Establishment of Strategic budgets… Traditional Structure Structure with Strategic Budgets Mayor's Office Mayor's Office Budgets Economy and Finance Economy and Finance …. Urban Development Culture …. Urban Development Culture …. Budgets

Objective 1 – Street cleaning and Waste Management Implementation of a monitor and control system… Governance Plan Indicators: STRATEGIC POINT 1: BASIC QUALITY SERVICES Objective 1 – Street cleaning and Waste Management

High level of transparency… City of Bilbao’s Civic Council Neighbourhood Urban Observatory Promoting the ICTs Participation in the event organized by the International Transparency Foundation in 2008, 2009 and 2010

Citizen´s participation… Area of Participation and District Councils. Sectoral Councils. Special plans for specific neighborhoods. Sectoral participation through specific instruments.

Sustainability of the project

Austerity and efficiency policies A long-term strategy… Future Budgetary income Adjustment policies Austerity and efficiency policies Municipal borrowing

Development of new projects… Zorrozaurre Intermodal Station Green Belt San Mamés Berria University in the San Mamés District Abandoibarra

Results

Project results… ZERO DEBT 1 2 3 Bilbao City Council’s positive economic-financial situation 1 ZERO DEBT Completion of emblematic projects for the city 2 POSITIVE CITIZEN PERCEPTION OF MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT AND THE FUTURE OF BILBAO 3 Increase in municipal transparency

Positive economic – financial scenario in 2011… ZERO DEBT (As of April 2011)

A success achived thanks to the committment aquired by all the Political staff and citizens…

Next steps

Continue with a Zero Debt An ongoing project… Budget for 2012 5,35 % reduction Continue with a Zero Debt

EPSA 2011 “European Public Service Awards” Its last recognition: EPSA 2011 “European Public Service Awards” On November 17, 2011 the City of Bilbao was awarded with the European Public Service Award –EPSA 2011 in the theme Smart Public Service Delivery in a Cold Economic Climate, for its project on “Political Management based on Economic Stringency and Strategic Budgets”. The EPSA awards, recognize best practices at European level in the field of modernization of the public administrations.

Evaluation Summary Notes - EPSA2011108 33 33

Strengths of Project (I) High innovation in the establishment of a governance plan and a strategic budget. This project links public service development and delivery to regeneration in an exciting and practical manner. It is bold example of political leadership focused on place to secure objectives and benefits for a city using the resources of a range of agencies. This should be an average step of planning and management but in implementation it is seldom found. This project addresses Public Concerns on key topical issues which are pressing across Europe and especially in major urban areas that face the impact of global economic changes. Managing budget without debts (even more - pay debts back) is probably the topic number 1 on the agenda of European Public organisations. This project provides an example of this being achieved. 34

Strengths of Project (II) All aspects and activities described in the project (strategies, budgetary policy, projects) support the sustainability of this project. There are plans for the next stages of the project which are driven by evidenced based analysis and engagement. Objectives have been attained, proven impact and results are measurable and impressive. Results have been presented in a traceable and manifold way. Municipal debts erased by March 2011 and recreational area increased from 27 to 134 hectares. High learning capacity is given as this comprehensive programme shows results and covers the main areas of municipal life. This project and the approach which underpins it would be applicable to many other cities. The principles, strategies and actions would be usefully adopted by others.

Knowledge-Transfer Conference: International EPSA 2011 Knowledge-Transfer Conference: “Cities of Excellence in the Public Sector” The Innovation Front with their New Practices and Formulas Bilbao (ES) 4-5 June 2012 36