The Palamós City Council has given the green light to the second phase of the coastal transformation project on Gran beach, after its definitive approval by the Local Government Board. The action will focus on the recovery of the dune area located between the end of the promenade and the beach, a key area given the forecast of sea level rises.
Renaturalization in the space of the old car park
The intervention contemplates the creation of a dune system in the space where until now the parking lot was located between the promenade and Gran beach. The objective is to reinforce the retention and stabilization of the sands, improving the natural protection of the coastline. The assigned budget amounts to 1,571,225 euros and has funding from the Next Generation funds.
The estimated execution period is five months. However, the works will not begin until after the tourist season, to avoid interference with the usual use of the beach.
Elimination of pollutants and protection of the dune
The action includes the removal of the car park and the complete re-naturalization of the area. The most contaminated layer of sand, affected by sauló dust, will be extracted and reused in the old car park as the base for the new dunes. Subsequently, the next layer will be removed to bring out the cleaner sand.
The new dune area will be protected by natural wicker boundaries and fences of poles and rope. In addition, species typical of dune systems will be planted, such as herbaceous plants, shrubs, pines and tamarisks, with the aim of consolidating the ecosystem and promoting local biodiversity.
Improvements in accessibility and services
The project foresees the installation of walkways to the beach, wooden platforms for showers, benches, and a wider access from Aragó and Provença streets. These measures seek to facilitate the transit of users and improve the integration of the urban environment with the coast.
It is expected that this month they will be completed and the renovated promenade will be inaugurated. The second phase, focused on the dune area, will start once the high season ends, thus completing the transformation process of Palamós' seafront.