Benidorm Unveils Urban Agenda to Achieve a Greener, More Connected, and Inclusive City

The Municipal Centre of Torrejó hosted the official presentation of Benidorm's Urban Agenda Action Plan this Wednesday, an ambitious roadmap designed to guide the city's development towards a more sustainable, connected, inclusive, and innovative model. The event, presided over by Mayor Toni Pérez, included participation from the Councillor for Innovation, Aída García Mayor, as well as representatives from the social, economic, and community sectors of the municipality.

During his speech, the mayor emphasised that the Urban Agenda is conceived as a "city project focused on the well-being of residents, locals, and tourists" and recalled that the document stems from "a rigorous reflection on our immediate future, the 2030 horizon." The plan's main objectives include improving access to housing, promoting sustainable mobility, social and territorial cohesion, innovation in municipal management, and adaptation to climate change.

Pérez also highlighted the continuity of this strategy with the work lines initiated in 2015, which have made Benidorm an international benchmark as the world's first certified Smart Tourist Destination and a resilient city in the face of challenges such as the pandemic. "Politics is not just about letting time pass, but about setting tasks," the mayor stated, adding that "if you don't set yourself permanent challenges, you won't arrive on time for anything."

The presentation of the Plan included a detailed exposition of its five strategic pillars—green, connected, inclusive, sustainable, and opportunities—by Nuria Prior, manager of EuroVértice Consultores; Carmen Azorín, municipal engineer; and Vicente Mayor, chief engineer of the City Council. A summary video also illustrated the main objectives and planned lines of action.

One of the fundamental pillars of the Action Plan is the driving projects, which will act as engines of urban transformation. Among them, the ambitious 'Benidorm Open Arena' project stands out, with which the city has entered the Edil Plan call, funded by Feder funds from the Ministry of Finance. With a planned investment of 15 million euros, this initiative includes the rehabilitation of the old bullring to convert it into a large multifunctional space for cultural, social, and sports events, as well as the creation of an accessible, multicultural, and integrative youth centre. Additionally, the plan foresees the urban regeneration of the area to improve the connection between the Els Tolls-Salt de l'Aigüa, Foietes, and the urban centre through the l'Aigüera park.

Toni Pérez insisted that the development of the Urban Agenda not only seeks a better-designed and more cohesive city but also positions Benidorm at an advantage when accessing European funding calls. "Benidorm, due to its uniqueness, should not compete on equal terms with very different destinations; but until that is recognised, we must be prepared to arrive better than anyone," he explained.

In the final stretch of his speech, the mayor reiterated the aspiration that "Benidorm be the best city to live in the world" and argued that the key to this transformation lies in ensuring that "any space in the municipality has the same opportunities, possibilities, and qualities for all Benidorm residents, wherever they live."