Scientific Advisory Commission

The Scientific Advisory Commission has been established, comprising nine experts from the Universitat Politècnica de València. (Video) The aim of this commission is to incorporate scientific rigour and expertise into the three areas of work of the University-City partnership.

Building a resilient, sustainable, and innovative metropolitan València is the goal of the partnership between the València City Council and the two public universities in València. Knowledge transfer, territorial cooperation and the implementation of pilot projects are the foundations of this relationship.

Following the effects of the dana on 29 October 2024, the University-City partnership reorganised its lines of work to address the challenges of resilience, recovery and sustainability. This strategy is being expanded with a metropolitan perspective, seeking alliances with surrounding municipalities in collaborative projects.

Pioneering commission

The Mayor of València, María José Catalá, has stated that this initiative is pioneering as it is the first city council 'to have a university-city commission and a committee of 19 scholars from the University of València and the Universitat Politècnica de València who are providing scientific and technical advice to the València City Council on the most important issues'. She highlighted two priorities: the implementation of the Southern Metropolitan Plan, 'which will make our territory better protected against disasters such as those we experienced with the dana’, and the development of a metropolitan strategy to address the major problems facing society today, which are ‘housing, mobility and territory, which we must tackle together’, she added.

The Rector of the Universitat Politècnica de València, José E. Capilla, has highlighted that 'the Politècnica has a lot to contribute in all areas and expertise in hydraulic and environmental engineering, which is essential to become a more resilient city'. For her part, the Rector of the University of València, María Vicenta Mestre, highlighted that what universities can contribute is "science, rigour, knowledge and reflection, and that politicians use this with the scientific rigour that we need".

Infrastructure and urban safety from a metropolitan perspective, economic recovery, and the protection and restoration of L'Albufera are the three main lines of action for the University-City partnership.

These lines will be strengthened by the incorporation of the Scientific Advisory Commission, which comprises representatives from both universities. Its functions will be to support the city of València in achieving its strategic milestones, including international scientific development and representation of the University-City partnership, advising on the preparation of scientific reports on prospects and assessments, and participating in the institutional and scientific life of the city. The commission will also provide updates on scientific trends with an urban impact, as well as supporting fundraising and public innovation.

Boosting the candidacy of l'Albufera as a Biosphere Reserve

The first decision of the Scientific Advisory Committee has been to support the nomination of L'Albufera de València for designation as a Biosphere Reserve within the framework of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme. In this way, it demonstrates its firm commitment to the sustainability and conservation of Mediterranean ecosystems.

Three areas of action

The members of the Scientific Advisory Commission are grouped into three areas of action:

Area 1. Infrastructure and Safety

Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)

Tomás Ruiz Sánchez. Director of the Chair of Transport and Society (sustainable mobility).

Eloina Coll Aliaga. Director of the Chair of City Governance (data-based governance).

Javier Pérez Igualada. Senior lecturer in Urban Planning (planning and urban landscape).

Félix Francés García. IIAMA (urban hydrology and flood models).

University of Valencia-Estudi General (UV)

Ana Camarasa Belmonte. Full Professor of Physical Geography (natural hazards, hydrology).

Gustau Camps Valls. Full Professor at the IPL (climate AI, remote sensing).

Joan Romero González. Full Professor of Human Geography (territorial planning).

Axis 2. Economic Recovery

Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)

José María García Álvarez-Coque. Researcher in International Economics and Sustainable Development.

Carla Montagud Montalvo. Researcher in Energy Transition and Urban Solutions.

Norat Roig Tierno. Specialist in innovation, entrepreneurship and resilient economic models.

University of Valencia-Estudi General (UV)

Santiago Carbó Valverde. Full Professor of Economic Analysis (finance and regional economics).

José María Nácher Escriche. Senior Lecturer in Applied Economics (tourism, urban activity).

José Manuel Pastor Monsálvez. Full Professor of Economic Analysis (territorial economics).

Justo Herrera Gómez. Senior Lecturer in Business Management (environmental economics).

Axis 3. Conservation of l'Albufera

Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)

Carles A. Sanchís Ibor. Expert in traditional irrigation and hydraulic culture.

Miguel Martín Monerris. IIAMA (water quality and hydrological restoration)

University of Valencia-Estudi General (UV)

Antoni Camacho González. Full Professor of Ecology (aquatic ecosystems).

Andreu Rico Artero. Specialist in Ecotoxicology.

Raquel Ortells Bañeres. Senior Lecturer in Ecology (biodiversity and wetlands).

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