The plenary session of the Calafell City Council has approved modifying the General Urban Planning Plan of 2011 in the town center. The measure seeks to recover public spaces in an area that suffers from high densification and a lack of basic facilities.
The urbanistic intervention will allow for the gain of a total of 3,849 square meters intended for facilities, parking, and open spaces. This regulatory change directly affects the old town and aims to correct historical imbalances in the distribution of urban land.
Recovery of public space
The breakdown of new land uses reveals a clear commitment to mobility and local culture. 1,936 square meters will be allocated for parking and 1,387 square meters for municipal facilities.
Local authorities have closed agreements with owners of key properties to rescue these spaces. Among the projects, the creation of a venue for cultural entities stands out, which will allow them to rehearse without the current space limitations.
"The core is very dense and lacks facilities" - Ramon Ferré, mayor of Calafell
This strategy follows the line previously set in Segur de Calafell and other areas of planned growth. The objective is to equip the historic center with infrastructures that had been relegated in the face of peripheral expansion.
New parking lots and heritage
Two parking areas will be created next to the Cal Bolavà farmhouse. Another parking area will be located in front of the future music school planned for the Cal Rion farmhouse.
The plan also identifies farms to allow the expansion of the Cal Bolavà neighborhood. This action benefits from the aid of the Neighborhood Plan and seeks to improve accessibility in a consolidated area.
In parallel, work will be done to preserve and enhance the listed building Cal Perico. This mansion dates from 1899 and belongs to the Marquises of Samà, representing a relevant heritage landmark for the municipality.
Schedule and execution costs
The expropriations necessary to execute the plan will begin in 2028. The schedule foresees that some acquisitions will extend until 2035, which dilates the investment over time.
The total cost of these expropriations will amount to 1.5 million euros spread across different budget years. This financial item must cover compensation for those affected by the modification of the planning.
Several streets will see their works or modifications paralyzed for two years due to this process. The affected roads include Mar 11, Ventura and Gasol (numbers 8 and 18), Jesús 61, José Bergés and Barba (numbers 6, 8 and 10) and Principal 42.
The approval in the plenary session reflected the usual political division on complex urban planning issues. The motion had 13 votes in favor from the PSC, PP, and one unaffiliated councilor, while ERC and Vox voted against.
UAM and CUP opted for abstention with three votes in total. The government team defends that this intervention is vital to reverse the displacement of commercial activity towards other areas of the municipality.