Turning an urban heat island into an ecological and recreational lung

At the beginning of the year, the bidding for the works to finish the project to improve the Salamanca Avenue will begin. The intention of the City Council of Santa Pola is to start the works immediately once it has been awarded. The project includes urbanization and landscaping work on the boulevard located on Salamanca Avenue between Monóvar Street and Obispo Bascuñana Avenue, and if possible, some more section would be expanded in the direction of Pilar’s Avenue.

The idea is to turn this area into a green space that offers citizens a new ecological and recreational lung, following the learning outcomes got from URBACT Health and Greenspace and following the sustainable development goals and the 2030 agenda. The initiative also responds to the current environmental and climatic needs for the Mediterranean region and represents a change in local policy in Santa Pola, betting on integrated urban planning from the criterion of Green Infrastructure and adaptation to climate change.

The design has been raised inspired by the traditional landscape of the salt flats, with its lines fused with the vegetal masses. Two types of pavements will be used, albero and precast concrete slabs and as a constructive element, the wooden slat that is traditionally used in the salt flats. This material will be used as a separator for flower beds and green areas, as well as a constructive element for the park furniture (benches, chairs and stands). Another objective is to give back the prominence to pedestrians, favoring the connection with the squares and surrounding spaces. To do this, the paving of the walk will be prolonged through the road at those points where this connection can be created, generating a small elevation of the ground that reduces the speed of vehicles along this avenue.