Malaga coastal development plan envisions turning large areas into pedestrian zones

News

Málaga presented its coastal development plan at the Future Malaga Conference in October. Mayor of Málaga Francisco de la Torre attended the conference along with other local government officials and pointed out that the plan will improve public transport in the metropolitan area.

The plan includes connecting the city centre directly to the port and improving intercity bus mobility, with city authorities pointing out that one bus station will be moved underground to serve as a connection point to the metro system.

The coastal development plan also includes turning a large area into a pedestrian zone and building an underground car park beneath it. City authorities pointed out that cost of the plan is estimated at roughly EUR 408 million.

Of this, about EUR 5 million will go towards preventing highest-polluting vehicles from entering the city centre.

Málaga pointed out that it could not finance the plan on its own, stressing that it will need the support of private investors and EU funding. It stressed that the plan will lower CO₂ emissions, create more than 1,500 jobs and boost the local economy.

Málaga’s coordinator for infrastructure and projects Pablo Otaola pointed out that regulations limit concessions for public works to 40 years and noted that laws should be changed to attract private investors.

“Until that law is changed, it is going to be very difficult to carry out this type of project with private collaboration,” he concluded.

(Photo credit: David Becker / Unsplash)