The “Shared Present and Future” conference strengthens cooperation between ports and cities as a key driver of territorial development
Cartagena (Murcia), March 24, 2026.- The International Association for the Collaboration between Ports and Cities (RETE), in collaboration with the Port Authority of Cartagena, held today the conference “Shared Present and Future in Cartagena”, bringing together institutional and port representatives from across Spain to analyse the current landscape and future challenges of port-city integration from a strategic, sustainable and collaborative perspective.
The event, hosted at the headquarters of the Port Authority and complemented by a technical visit to the port, provided a platform to exchange experiences, identify best practices and reinforce the role of ports as economic drivers, open urban spaces and key elements in territorial planning.
One of the most relevant aspects addressed during the conference was the investment effort in port-city integration carried out in Cartagena, amounting to €37 million under the “De Faro a Faro” project, an initiative aimed at progressively opening up the waterfront to citizens and transforming it into a space for coexistence, economic activity and tourism appeal.
In this context, the President of the Port Authority of Cartagena, Pedro Pablo Hernández, highlighted during his speech that “today we can see how citizens and visitors are making use of port spaces that we have been opening up in collaboration with the City Council, which reflects a job well done”, also stressing the importance of sharing experiences with other ports to move forward more efficiently in future projects.
Hernández also underlined ongoing and planned projects in the city, such as the new cruise terminal, the Marina promenade and the developments in Santa Lucía, noting that “collaboration between ports and cities, and also among ports themselves, allows us to learn, improve and tackle future challenges with greater confidence”.
The opening session featured strong institutional representation, including the Mayor of Cartagena, Noelia Arroyo; the President of RETE, Teófila Martínez; and the Director of Planning and Development at Puertos del Estado, Manuel Arana, alongside the host Port Authority’s president.
During her intervention, RETE President Teófila Martínez highlighted the strategic value of such meetings, stating that “port-city integration is no longer an option, but a necessity in today’s development model. Conferences like this enable the generation of shared knowledge, alignment of strategies and acceleration of innovative solutions across different territories”.
Martínez also emphasised the international and collaborative dimension of RETE, affirming that “the future of port cities lies in cooperation between ports, public administrations and civil society. These multi-port and multi-city forums are essential to build a shared vision and move forward in a coordinated way towards more sustainable, open and integrated models”.
The programme included technical presentations and two round tables featuring representatives from the ports of Málaga, Seville, Tarragona and A Coruña, who shared their experiences in port space transformation, strategic planning and relationships with their urban and social environments.
Particular attention was given to the presentation of Cartagena’s model as a success case in port-city integration, where the opening of spaces, waterfront regeneration and sustained investment have fostered a new relationship between the port and its citizens.
The conference concluded with a technical visit to the port facilities, allowing participants to gain first-hand insight into ongoing projects and reinforcing the practical and applied nature of the event.
Through this initiative, RETE reaffirms its role as an international reference platform in the field of port-city integration, promoting knowledge exchange and the development of joint strategies in a context marked by energy transition, digitalisation and the growing demand for more sustainable urban spaces.
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
