Valencia is stepping up efforts to prevent beach erosion along its southern coast by expanding its artificial reef project. Mayor María José Catalá announced that the Valencia City Council plans to install artificial reefs along the southern beaches to counteract the regression of the coastline and protect the sand from being washed away by storms.
This initiative is part of the broader efforts under the European Green Capital framework, which Valencia is currently working towards. Catalá revealed this during a roundtable discussion titled “Adaptation to Climate Change in Cities” at the Menéndez Pelayo International University in Santander. The discussion included other prominent figures such as the Mayor of Santander, the Galician Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Cantabrian Minister of Development, Territorial Planning, and Environment.
Collaboration with local communities and researchers
The mayor emphasised that this initiative responds to the demands of the residents of El Saler, a coastal area particularly affected by erosion. The project will be developed in collaboration with researchers from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, who have already conducted preliminary studies. This is not Valencia’s first venture into artificial reef construction. In 2014, the city installed Spain’s first artificial reef at Malvarrosa Beach, which has been deemed successful. The expansion to the southern beaches aims to replicate this success and further protect the city’s coastline.
Also read: Concerns about dissappearing beach in El Saler, Valencia
Broader environmental initiatives
In addition to the artificial reef project, Mayor Catalá outlined several ambitious environmental initiatives that the city is undertaking as part of its European Green Capital bid. These projects include the development of 350,000 square metres of new green spaces, the installation of anti-fire cannons to protect the Devesa forest, the use of low-carbon materials in construction, and the implementation of photovoltaic trees and smart pavement technology.
Europe’s largest urban solar plant
The mayor also provided an update on the “Requiem In Power” project. This involves the construction of Europe’s largest urban solar power plant on municipal land. The project includes installing over 6,600 solar panels in city cemeteries to generate energy for municipal buildings and support vulnerable households.
Contracts have already been signed with families at risk of energy poverty, allowing them to benefit from the solar energy produced by these panels starting in September. This project is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 1,000 tons annually and provide critical support to around 800 vulnerable families.
Also read: Artificial reef to increase marine biodiversity in the port of Barcelona