Torrevieja will build a flood-prone park that will retain more than 2,000 m3 of rainwater

In the Aguas Nuevas residential area, the construction project for a new multifunctional floodable park was presented to the residents by the Mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, the Councillor for Urban Services, Sandra Sánchez, the Councillor for Sports, Diana Box, the Manager of AGAMED, Jorge Ballesta, and the Deputy Manager of AGAMED, Gemma Cruz. This project, which is a component of the municipality’s Master Plan for Storm Water Management, will be implemented between Calle Sancho Panza and Dulcinea, Avenida de las Cortes Valencianas, and Avenida de La Mancha.

The undertaking will be executed in two distinct phases. Next September, the initial segment will commence, with an estimated completion period of nine months, and it will require an investment of over €1.2 million. The second phase is scheduled for a subsequent one, which is presently in the planning phase.

A novel multifunctional area

The primary objective of this new park is twofold: first, to serve as a green infrastructure for sustainable wastewater management, and second, to establish a new, naturalised, and accessible urban space for the recreation, sports, and leisure of residents.

Two distinct regions have been configured within the action area:

Precast concrete elements will construct a sports and leisure area that includes a skate park and a skating basin. These elements will not only serve as recreational amenities but also contribute to the urban drainage system.

A vast, naturalised green space will include over 1,500 m² of rain gardens and sustainable drainage solutions (SUDS), focussing particularly on integrating native vegetation and enhancing biodiversity.

Accessibility and hydraulic capacity

The new infrastructure will enable the retention of up to 2,000 m³ of stormwater, which will be evacuated in a controlled manner through a new conduit that will be installed along Avenida de las Cortes Valencianas. The design incorporates a system of connecting basins between various retention areas that will operate by gravity. This will enhance the efficiency of the drainage system and reduce the danger of flooding.

New pedestrian routes connecting Calle Dulcinea, Calle Sancho Panza , and Avenida de La Mancha with the existing routes along Avenida de las Cortes Valencianas are also included in the project, which also includes significant enhancements to urban accessibility. The drainage pavement and integrated green areas will be used to construct the pedestrian paths.

The verdant area will undergo a substantial landscaping project, which will involve the maintenance of 43 existing trees and the addition of 10 new ones. Furthermore, the objective is to enhance biodiversity and revitalise vegetation. Consequently, over 2,100 shrub and perennial species, including lemon verbena, sage, santolina, rosemary, lavender, thyme, and Teucrium fruticans, will be planted. Additionally, the park’s ecological function will be reinforced by the inclusion of 250 m² of permeable meadows.

An 80-meter-long plant-based acoustic protection screen will be erected adjacent to Sancho Panza Street as a complementary measure. This screen will be composed of ornamentally arranged Cupressus sempervirens trees.

Phase II: complementary equipment and green space

During the second phase, the project will extend to the section of Avenida Cortes Valencianas and Avenida del Sur. The park’s multifunctional nature will be further enhanced by the addition of a new green area that is outfitted with bio-healthy exercise areas, callisthenics, and children’s playgrounds. This will strengthen the park’s function as a hub for community and neighbourhood well-being.

Urban development and sustainability

The primary goal of the project is to convert this urban environment into a resilient space that can adapt to climate change while simultaneously providing citizens with a space to meet, unwind, and exercise in complete harmony with the environment.

Torrevieja City Council and AGAMED reiterate their dedication to sustainable development, innovation in green infrastructure, and the enhancement of the quality of life for residents through this intervention.