Altea shows European students its urban projects and River Algar restoration

Altea has introduced its European urban planning, sustainable mobility and environmental restoration projects to a group of students from different countries taking part in an exchange organised by the secondary school in Callosa d’en Sarrià.

The visit provided an opportunity to present initiatives including the seafront redevelopment and restoration of the River Algar, as well as mobility opportunities and projects run by the municipal EuroAltea office.

Connecting the town and the seafront

The proposed seafront scheme aims to improve links between the built-up town and the coast, which are separated by physical barriers including the tracks used by the TRAM rail service.

European Projects councillor Germán Manjón explained the town council’s involvement in the URBACT programme and highlighted the work being carried out as part of its participation in the URBACT Daring Cities project.

This project is developing a proposal for Altea’s “tranviarització”, with the aim of better connecting Altea de Arriba and Altea de Bajo, reducing physical barriers and encouraging more sustainable ways of moving around.

Manjón supported exchanging experiences with other cities as a way of sharing local initiatives and looking for innovative solutions that are adapted to the particular needs of Altea and its residents.

A visit to restoration work on the Algar

The meeting also involved European Projects officer Paloma Verdú, Environment councillor Jose Orozco and Carlos Úbeda, a municipal environmental officer who took part in explaining the initiatives to the visiting students.

Orozco highlighted the interest that Altea’s environmental restoration work generates in other places and the value of sharing experiences in order to learn from initiatives developed by other European municipalities.

The day ended with a guided tour led by Carlos Úbeda of the restoration work on the River Algar, which is intended to restore and protect this natural area within the municipality.

During the visit, students saw the work first-hand and learned about the importance of preserving the area, completing a day linking urban planning, sustainability and European cooperation with specific projects being developed in Altea.