Alicante Recovery Plan: 81 million euros to transform the city with 32 projects

The Alicante Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan (PRTR) invests a total of 81,500,000 euros until 2026, which «has contributed to transforming our city with the implementation of 32 projects to make it a more sustainable, modern, green, digital European enclave with greater resilience to future challenges,» according to the Councilor for Strategic Plans and European Funds, Antonio Peral.

These programs, backed by the Next Generation EU European funds, have a funding of 36.6% European subsidy (29,852,441 euros) and 63.3% municipal contribution (51,647,559 euros). It includes six programs, from the implementation of low emission zones to the digital and sustainable transformation of urban transport, modernization of administrations to tourism sustainability programs.

Councilor Antonio Peral stated that Alicante is the third city that receives the most money in all of Spain, behind Madrid and Zaragoza, «and this makes us leaders in the management of European funds and places us in a privileged position,» Peral highlighted. In total, the Alicante City Council manages 43,584,833€ of European funds from all programs that have enabled actions valued at more than 104 million euros with municipal funding.

The main bulk is the improvement of sustainable mobility through the implementation of Low Emission Zones (LEZ) and the modernization of urban transport, which has a total investment of 51,149,696 euros. In this regard, Antonio Peral explained that «a big step has been taken with the acquisition of 23 electric vehicles for public transport, along with the installation of charging stations in municipal garages.» Within the balance sheet, it was recalled that in Alicante projects have been developed to improve pedestrianization, traffic calming and mobility control, and significant reforms have been undertaken in the redevelopment of strategic areas such as Ramón y Cajal Avenue and Canalejas.

Antonio Peral also expressed great satisfaction and pride in the «city project and work that has allowed us to fulfill our commitments by making decisions and betting on pedestrianization in the center along Constitución Avenue axis, Bailén and Castaños streets, improving accessibility and promoting a more habitable urban environment that has transformed this central area.»

These initiatives include the implementation of LEZ and the transformation of Doctor Gadea Avenue and Paseo de Soto. «With these measures, we aim not only to reduce pollutant emissions but also to make Alicante a more modern and sustainable city,» he explains.

There are several large-scale projects transforming our city among which stand out «the digitization and modernization of local administrations which has made our city a benchmark in innovation and sustainability. The Plan's projects are actions that not only improve the urban environment but also directly benefit citizens.»

Among the most notable actions is the implementation of the virtual assistant ALI based on artificial intelligence for facilitating citizen interaction with municipal services and simplifying electronic processing is an example of one of the most successful projects. The renewal of storage systems and servers dedicated to corporate databases, along with the launch of a cybersecurity operations center. Technological improvements have been made possible thanks to a total investment of 1.58 million euros, contributing to a more efficient, secure administration accessible to all citizens.

In the cultural field, Caja Negra hall in Las Cigarreras has also been modernized with advanced technology. «This action reinforces Alicante's commitment to promoting culture and arts by adapting them to current technological and sustainable demands,» assures the councilor. The investment in this project has amounted to 216,202€.

On the other hand, there is the Tourism Sustainability Program at Destination within the framework of the extraordinary Call 2022, where several key projects for transitioning towards more sustainable and digital tourism in Alicante have been promoted. This program is structured into four main axes: Green and Sustainable Transition, Energy Efficiency, Digital Transformation, and Competitiveness.

Axis 1 focuses on green and sustainable transition including Almadraba area's environmental restoration project with an investment of 1.386.825.30 euros from European funding plus over three million from municipal funding. The project is awarded and works will begin mid-October this year.

Axis 2 aimed at improving energy efficiency will allow enhancing digital applications information materials at MACA Museum with an investment worth 524.68770 Euros while Axis 3 focused on digital transition has boosted improvement same applications materials additional investment worth €150k including augmented reality project Santa Barbara Castle finally Axis 4 seeking strengthen tourism competitiveness will involve Musealization Interpretation Center Huerta Towers Torre Sarrió worth €200k.

Councilor Antonio Peral emphasized «this plan is historic opportunity change our city we are maximizing available resources build better Alicante these projects reflect commitment sustainable green digital transformation.»

Regarding urban rehabilitation Plan includes improvement neighborhoods such as Virgen del Remedio where 288 homes will be rehabilitated increasing energy efficiency accessibility with €9.996012 subsidy «This one most important projects promoted will transform entire environment within Integral North Zone Plan placing people plan's axis valuing heritage,» asserted Antonio Peral.

Finally sports field energy efficiency digitization study Technification Center aim modernize facilities guarantee long-term sustainability reinforcing city's commitment sport infrastructure improvement.