Two gigantic parks that will make “sponges”

The Generalitat Valenciana has presented your strategy to deal with future floods after Dana’s disaster: The creation of two huge green corridors that will occupy 1,500 hectares and work as water absorption areas. The project, baptized as “Parque de la Esperanza”, will require an investment of more than 150 million euros and aims to become one of the largest metropolitan parks in Europe.

What includes the plan. The project includes two large green axes of 35 kilometers of total extension. The first will expand the current Turia channel in 10.5 additional kilometers, connecting the heading park with the mount of La Vallesa. The second will take place in the area most affected by the Dana on October 29, with a main section of 18.5 kilometers from the Albufera to Picanya and another secondary of 5.5 kilometers between La Torre, Massanassa and Catarroja, following the route of the ravine of the poyo.

Seeking to replicate the work of the Albufera. The Dana disaster, which claimed the lives of 228 people, demonstrated the vulnerability of the area to such meteorological catastrophe. At that time, the albufera acted as a natural laminator, absorbing part of the water and avoiding major damage. Now the idea with this project is Replicate this capacity in a planned way in areas that can serve to cushion damage to future overflows.

How will it work. These spaces will act as giant “sponges”, absorbing excess water in times of torrential rains and allowing a controlled water release. The project includes the plantation of 100,000 trees and the creation of water sheets integrated in the landscape. Eduardo Rojas, UPV professor, commented that the sediments dragged by the Dana They will be reused to adjust the land levels and protect the inhabited areas of future overflows.

Between the lines. Beyond its defensive function, the initiative also seeks transform agricultural land devastated in climatic shelters and public leisure spaces connected by cyclopeatonal roads. President Carlos Mazón has taken advantage of the presentation to criticize The lack of economic support from the central government, insisting that it is “a matter of state” that the Generalitat is facing “practically alone.”

Next steps. The 2026 regional budgets will include an initial game of two million euros for the development of the project. The Generalitat will also explore European financing and public-private collaboration through CO2 emission compensation mechanisms. The Plan has the technical support of the Polytechnic University of Valencia and the Center for Environmental Studies of the Mediterranean, although there is still no specific date for the execution of the project.

Lessons learned. The Dana showed problems that came long. Decades of construction in flood risk areascareless ravines and Lack of infrastructure They were some of the ingredients that ended up magnifying the tragedy. Criticism also pointed to alert managementwith Mazón in the main focus. This new plan seeks to turn the situation by creating spaces where water can run safely.

Cover image | GVA and Levante-EMV

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