People advance quickly, very quickly. And governments have a bad reputation. So far, everyone agrees. So, where does technology come into all of this? Well, at the point of convergence... and everywhere.

This article is to puff up our chest, but without taking our eyes off the world around us. Hi there, world! What new needs do the world and modern societies have? And how is Biscay responding?

WHAT NEW NEEDS DO THE WORLD AND MODERN SOCIETIES HAVE?

New solutions to old needs and new needs for new times. We have to look back in time and bring what we have learned to the present to be able to design a future that will evolve with the times and trends.

In every design process there is a fundamental part that consists of observing in order to be able to respond later. We encourage you to put that to the test: right now, wherever you are, stop and look at what’s happening. What are people around you doing? What is your team talking about? What is being sold in stores? What news is appearing in the press?

We’ve detected 5 trends based on daily evidence that will ring a bell with you and prompt you to reflect:

1. Connectivity at the base of the pyramid

   Remote working, online paperwork, and public Wi-Fi are evidence of a trend in which connectivity and Internet access have become commodities as basic as electricity. Not having digital infrastructures can leave you as off the grid as not having a public transport network.

   How is Biscay responding?

   To respond to this trend and improve regional cohesion and equality, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transition is advancing with its fiber optic deployment plan, reaching any location, even difficult-to-access areas.

2. The planet at the center

   Fridays for Future, Greenpeace activists stuck to the Mona Lisa in the name of the planet’s temperature, and controversial climate summits are all signs of concern over the current climate crisis, among both citizens and governments.

   How is Biscay responding?

   To respond to this trend, the Government of Biscay is working on multiple initiatives involving analysis, awareness, environmental education, and concrete actions like Urban Klima 2050, the largest climate event in the Basque Country backed by the European Union.

3. Equity, not equidistance

   The transgender law, equality and diversity plans, and the massive demonstration on International Women’s Day are all a reflection of demands for social justice. It’s no longer just a question of achieving equality, but of contemplating and recognizing situations of special privilege and the disadvantages produced by a lack of equality.

   How is Biscay responding?

   To respond to this trend the Government of Biscay maintains its commitment to mainstream its equality policy so that it reaches every area of the organization. The Sixth Plan for Equality between Women and Men of Biscay is based on 4 strategic lines: Good Governance, Feminist Empowerment, Equality in Sustainable Development, and Lives Free of Sexist Violence.

4. “Rurban” (rural+urban) is growing

   The “back to the village” movement, the expansions of gardens and promenades, and the bicycle rental service are all responses to a city that keeps on growing and that demands a higher quality of life, one connected with nature. This trend also takes into account climate change and a constant questioning of our lifestyles.

   How is Biscay responding?

   To respond to this trend, the different local governmental agencies are creating and maintaining outdoor recreational areas where people can go to rest, walk, or simply enjoy the coast and the mountains without the need to spend.

5. Restoring trust

   Citizen participation, transparency laws, public budgets, and well-directed financial aid are evidence of governments’ interest in restoring trust and engaging citizens in more democratic ways.

   How is Biscay responding?

   To respond to this trend, Biscay is promoting the open data philosophy, which advocates for citizens’ free access to and the availability of their data held by the government, all in a free and responsible manner.