Cultural Agenda

The Royal Alcázar of Seville is a living symbol of the city's historical and cultural legacy, a space where Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque influences converge. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO , this palace complex exemplifies the rich heritage that defines Seville and its ability to generate identity and a sense of belonging. Its conservation and promotion not only preserve the memory of its past but also turn it into a driving force for cultural and educational development , attracting visitors from around the world who seek to learn about and understand its history through its architecture, art, and landscapes.

As part of the World Forum on Local Economic Development, this guided tour highlights heritage as a sustainable tourism resource that boosts the local economy without losing its historical essence. Cultural tourism not only generates employment and opportunities in the city, but also fosters appreciation and respect for Seville's tangible and intangible heritage. Through this tour, attendees will be able to reflect on the role of heritage in economic and social development while enjoying one of the most emblematic spaces in Andalusian history.

Limited seating. *Schedules are approximate and subject to change. Please confirm the schedule with the organizers a few days prior to the activity.

This tour provides a firsthand look at how heritage management boosts local commerce, hospitality, and entrepreneurship in various sectors such as crafts, gastronomy, and culture, fostering more inclusive and sustainable economic models.

In Seville's historic center, we find the Cathedral , which, along with the Archive of the Indies and the Royal Alcázar , exemplifies public-private collaboration in heritage management, balancing conservation, public access, and tourism profitability. This tour will demonstrate how local economies can maintain their identity while simultaneously generating wealth and quality employment, ensuring a just transition toward more sustainable and resilient models.

Limited seating. *Schedules are approximate and subject to change. Please confirm the schedule with the organizers a few days prior to the activity.

The Pantheon of Illustrious Sevillians and the Church of the Annunciation are essential stops, representing an excellent example of how historical and cultural heritage can become an asset for the sustainable development of cities. This site preserves the memory of illustrious Sevillians who contributed to the social, cultural, and economic development of the city and offers an extraordinary context and opportunity for dialogue on the interrelationship between educational institutions, cultural heritage, and sustainable local development—central themes in territorial development strategies.

Limited seating. *Schedules are approximate and subject to change. Please confirm the schedule with the organizers a few days prior to the activity.

This tour provides a firsthand look at how heritage management boosts local commerce, hospitality, and entrepreneurship in various sectors such as crafts, gastronomy, and culture, fostering more inclusive and sustainable economic models.

In Seville's historic center, we find the Cathedral , which, along with the Archive of the Indies and the Royal Alcázar , exemplifies public-private collaboration in heritage management, balancing conservation, public access, and tourism profitability. This tour will demonstrate how local economies can maintain their identity while simultaneously generating wealth and quality employment, ensuring a just transition toward more sustainable and resilient models.

*Times are approximate and subject to change. You must confirm the timetable with the organisation the days before the activity.

The natural environment of the province of Huelva has several protected areas, with interesting experiences in biodiversity conservation, balancing human development and environmental protection. On this visit we will have the opportunity to get to know and visit the Marismas del Odiel Natural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and considered the most important tidal marshes on the Iberian Peninsula. This visit will allow us to analyse in situ how conservation policies and local initiatives generate employment and promote sustainable tourism. We will also be able to learn about specific experiences of local economic development in the province.

Afterwards, there will be free time in the city of Huelva to enjoy its gastronomy and/or take a stroll through the city, before returning to Seville.

Limited places. *Times are approximate and subject to change. You must confirm the timetable with the organisation the days before the activity.

Greetings in La Rábida from political representatives of the Provincial Council of Huelva. Meeting with technical managers of GIAHSA and the Environment and Energy Service of the Provincial Council of Huelva. Visit to GIAHSA facilities. A public company belonging to the Association of Services of the Province of Huelva. This company is a shining example of the coming together of 69 small and medium-sized municipalities that concentrate and pool their efforts and resources to respond to the common needs of their respective populations. Visit to the Villarrasa waste treatment plant, a centre where the continuous improvement of waste management is promoted as a fundamental pillar in the circular economy strategies of the Huelva Provincial Council.

Limited places *Times are approximate and subject to change. You must confirm the timetable with the organisation the days before the activity.

It will begin with a presentation by representatives of Cordoba City Council on the city's tourism development policy.

Later, there will be a guided tour of the city.

Cordoba is the only city with four World Heritage designations and municipal management of tourism is key to its sustainable development. It is also an example of public services and an intermediate city that allows citizens to coexist with tourism development.

A tour of the Jewish quarter, the Roman bridge and the rest of the historic quarter will provide those taking part in the visit with an opportunity to explore the impact of cultural heritage, sustainable tourism and historical coexistence on local economic development. Cordoba, with its legacy of coexistence between cultures, is an example of how history can be an engine for sustainable development and social cohesion.

Afterwards there will be free time to sample the gastronomy and/or visit the Mosque Cathedral.

Limited places available *Times are approximate and subject to change. You must confirm the timetable with the organisation the days before the activity.

The Royal Tobacco Factory of Seville, now the Rectorate of the University of Seville, is one of the most emblematic industrial constructions of the 18th century in Europe and an exceptional testimony to the city's economic and social past. Its imposing architecture, with Baroque and Neoclassical influences, reflects Seville's importance as a centre of tobacco trade and manufacture, generating wealth and employment for centuries. Today, this building not only houses the academic and intellectual life of the university, but has also become a symbol of the evolution of industrial heritage and its adaptation to new uses, while maintaining its historical and cultural value.

This guided tour highlights how the recovery and reuse of architectural heritage can become a driving force for urban revitalisation and a sustainable tourist attraction. The Royal Tobacco Factory is an example of how historical heritage can be kept alive, adding value to the city in both educational and touristic terms, and demonstrating that the preservation of material heritage not only protects cultural identity, but also boosts local development and strengthens the connection between history, community and economy.

Limited places *Schedules are approximate and subject to change. Please confirm the schedule with the organizers a few days prior to the activity.

Seville Cathedral is a monumental treasure that captivates from the first moment, blending Gothic grandeur with exquisite Renaissance and Baroque refinement. Declared a World Heritage Site, this architectural gem houses masterpieces by Murillo, Zurbarán, and Goya within its walls, while the majestic Giralda tower stands as an unmistakable symbol of the Sevillian landscape. Every year, thousands of visitors from around the world marvel at the main altarpiece, the largest in Christendom, or discover the tomb of Christopher Columbus. This exceptional monument not only represents the splendor of Seville's past but continues to be a fundamental economic driver for the city, generating a constant flow of cultural tourism that boosts local commerce and projects Seville's image internationally as an essential destination for art and history lovers.

The visit will conclude with a mapping show.