Insights from the third IMPETUS Policy Brokerage Event
For our third Policy Brokerage Event (IPB), we returned to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where we had previously met for our second Interregional Thematic Seminar in April 2023. Hosted successfully by our partners SAGULPA and the Ayuntamiento de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, this event provided a key opportunity to reflect on the good practices collected so far and to focus on the policy improvements ahead.
During a dedicated session, we reviewed the good practices collected to date, alongside inspiring examples from outside the project, examining their links to policy instruments. This analysis helped participants identify key factors that have influenced—or could influence—policy improvements. To apply these insights, a hands-on workshop guided participants in connecting these cases to real policy challenges and opportunities in their regions, drawing valuable lessons for future decision-making.
The event also provided a platform to discuss policy improvements, with partners sharing updates on their policy tools, challenges, and next steps.
As always, the study visits were a key part of the gathering, offering participants the chance to explore how urban change is shaping different areas of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
In La Isleta, a once-isolated fishing village turned working-class district, we witnessed the tension between heritage preservation and tourism-driven development, as rising property values and short-term rentals challenge the neighbourhood’s historic identity and social fabric. The visit highlighted the need for policies that balance economic growth with community well-being.
The tour of the Historic Quarter (Perojo, Triana, San Telmo) showcased the city’s architectural evolution, from traditional Canarian styles to modernist influences. These neighbourhoods reflect Las Palmas’ social and economic transformation, offering a successful example of heritage conservation and adaptation to urban development.
Both visits reinforced key themes of the IMPETUS project, providing concrete examples of the challenges and opportunities in temporary uses and policy-making.
Closing the agenda on a high note, partners also had the chance to meet with Carolina Darias, Mayor of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and Tony R. Murphy, lead for the city’s European Capital of Culture 2031 bid. This final exchange provided a unique opportunity to delve into how cultural policies and temporary urban uses can contribute to broader strategic goals, reinforcing the IMPETUS project’s commitment to urban regeneration and social innovation.