La Rinconada receives the title of Science and Innovation City, awarded by the Spanish Government

The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities has acknowledged La Rinconada, via Red Innpulso, for its exceptional commitment to innovation with the implementation of policies and actions that foster local innovation, which have turned our city into a true trailblazer for progress.

The award presentation ceremony, held in Reus (Tarragona), was officiated over by the Secretary General for Innovation, Teresa Riesgo. The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities granted this award to 21 municipalities alongside La Rinconada: Alcorcón, Bilbao, Burgos, Getafe, Huelva, Reus, Arteixo, Aspe, Castro-Urdiales, Cieza, Granollers, La Vall d'Uixó, Manises, Manresa, Rota, Sant Joan Despí, Aller, Castropol, Genalguacil, Mundaka, and Santomera. These 22 new municipalities bring the total of cities comprising the Network of Science and Innovation Cities (or Red Innpulso) to 112.

Raquel Vega, the First Deputy Mayor and Delegate for the 2030 Agenda, was responsible for collecting this award, which acknowledges our municipality as Science and Innovation City. Vega was accompanied by Rocío Sainz Flores, La Rinconada’s director of European Programs.

During the event, Teresa Riesgo stated that "the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities has strengthened its commitment to local innovation as a lever for modernizing the country" and emphasized that "these cities have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to innovation and have implemented policies and actions that foster local innovation, becoming drivers of innovation in their regions."

Raquel Vega highlighted that “this award acknowledges years of work and a strategy for La Rinconada as a city for investment, with 14 business parks, under the banner of Aerópolis, which positions us as a major aerospace hub in southern Europe with over 90 companies and 5,000 jobs. This award also recognizes the City Council’s work on safety, energy efficiency, modernization of public services, innovative public procurement, and our commitment to reducing the gender gap in science. We look to the future with the determination to continue growing our economy, our employment rates, and our opportunities.”

The First Deputy Mayor called for the expansion of Aerópolis: “R&D&I defines the present and will guide the future of our city. It is a boost to that just demand for employment, future, progress, and modernity for the entire territory. It opens spaces for collaboration, alliances, and best practices, where we can incorporate the advancements of universities, science, innovation, and overall knowledge. All of these are essential drivers of progress for all public administrations nowadays.”

La Rinconada has accomplished several achievements that have led to the positive resolution of this candidacy, among them are the development of a network of photovoltaic panel installations, the renovation of 7,000 LED lighting points, and the development of a business ecosystem with alliances in favor of the aerospace industry. It should be noted that Aerópolis represents the main hub for aircraft manufacturing in southern Europe. Another aspect worth highlighting is the municipality’s implementation of sustainable mobility policies through video surveillance and traffic control systems, and the expansion of e‑government, which has fostered a network of innovation agents.

In addition, La Rinconada sets out to implement new actions as part of their 2030 Urban Agenda, such as the Comprehensive Action Plan (recently presented to the Spanish Government) or the City for Investment, which continues to support the expansion of Aerópolis and the development of Majaravique, as well as the commitment to STEM professions and reduction of the gender gap, among others.

Another notable element is the La Rinconada Urban Observatory, developed in collaboration with Pablo de Olavide University, which allows for measuring progress in innovation in the development of the region. This is a key action in innovation, as working alongside the educational community is essential in building a Smart City.