La responsabilidad social como oportunidad de competitividadEstudio del caso “Cartagena Puerto Sostenible” en la comarca

Abstract

Sustainability has emerged as a key controlador of economic growth and job creation,particularly in the context of the blue economy. This approach promotes production models that not only protect marine ecosystems but also create new business opportunities ininnovative and circular sectors. This study examines how Cartagena has integrated two transformative processes into its development: the implementation of the Sustainable Portmodel and the industrial reconversion led by the Bazán shipyard (now Navantia) in the 1980s. The city’s commitment to the blue economy and sustainability has fostered innovation, the adoption of eco-efficient technologies, and the development of circularpractices, thereby strengthening the regional productive fabric and positioning the Port of Cartagena as a benchmark in sustainability. These measures, aimed at reducing the environmental footprint and optimizing the use of renewable resources, have yielded botheconomic and environmental benefits, while also opening up new business opportunities. At the same time, the industrial reconversion of Bazán not only spurred economic growthbut also contributed to the development of social and educational infrastructure that helped forge Cartagena’s working and community identity. Recreational spaces, housing, andlearning centers consolidated a collective memory that endures to this day. The convergence of these processes demonstrates that modernization and sustainability address not only economic and environmental challenges but are also deeply intertwinedwith the construction of the city’s cultural heritage and social identity. This underscores the importance of a multidimensional approach to urban and social development.