Clear Lanes
CARTAGENA is leading a European project to reduce pollution and improve traffic flow, without banning cars. The city is working with 10 other European towns and 10 technology partners to create a superblock system that makes streets safer and less polluted.
The project, called RE-ALLocate, is set to receive €15 million from the European Horizon Europe program, with €2.7 million going to Cartagena. Mayor Noelia Arroyo assured residents it won’t cost them anything. ‘We’ll reduce pollution and noise while making daily life better, without blocking cars from entering,’ she said.
Superblocks change how traffic moves by directing through-traffic to bigger roads and keeping smaller streets for local use. Small plazas will be built at busy intersections to help reduce congestion. The first changes will happen in the Ensanche area.
The plan won’t remove parking spaces, they will just be moved around to keep the same number. Experts say this system will cut pollution by stopping cars from idling in traffic.
With cities like Dublin and Tampere also taking part, Cartagena is becoming a leader in green city planning. If the funding comes through, work will start soon to make the city cleaner and more efficient.
Smart Spending
SAN PEDRO DEL PINATAR has announced its 2025 budget, set at €33.48 million, a 12.8 per cent increase from last year. The plan focuses on safety, town upkeep, family support, and boosting the local economy.
Mayor Pedro Javier Sánchez said the budget is based on what residents need, with over €1 million going to public safety. This includes €300,000 for new security cameras, €310,000 for extra police availability, and bringing back the summer beach patrol.
Town maintenance is also a priority, with a 21 per cent funding increase since the start of the term. Plans include renewing waste collection and street cleaning contracts, improving parks with €86,000, and planting more trees with €50,000.
Accessibility is getting attention too, with €300,000 for better streets and €50,000 to upgrade municipal vehicles. Families will get more support, with €125,700 for education grants, €45,000 for preschool scholarships, and more funding for summer school.
To keep the town active beyond summer, €240,000 will fund off-season events. The budget also includes plans to update the Music School and build a Semana Santa Museum.
Financial stability is a key goal, with town debt expected to drop to €13.14 million, a 66 per cent decrease since 2011. The mayor called the budget responsible, aiming to make the town safer, more enjoyable, and economically strong.
Wildlife Rules
NEW steps are being taken to help save the Nacra (Pinna nobilis), a large sea mollusc that is in serious danger of disappearing. The regional government has set up four protected areas in the Mar Menor where boats are not allowed to anchor. These areas are Isla Perdiguera, Isla del Barón, Punta del Galán – Pedruchillo, and Pueblo Cálido.
To make sure everyone knows where these zones are, 14 special buoys have been placed in the water. These buoys are designed to be safe for the environment and won’t harm marine life.
Anchoring boats in the wrong places can damage the Nacra and its habitat, so these new rules are important. People using boats in the Mar Menor are asked to follow them, and there will be fines for anyone who doesn’t.
Scientists at the University of Murcia are also working on ways to breed Nacras in captivity, with the hope of reintroducing them to the sea in the future.
Looking after the Mar Menor’s sea life is everyone’s responsibility. By following these simple rules, we can help protect this special species.
Rain-Ready
SAN JAVIER is making La Vereda del Vinco safer and better prepared for heavy rain. The town hall, working with the regional government, is investing over €500,000 to upgrade the area and reduce the risk of flooding.
The project includes new paving that soaks up water and bigger drainage pipes to help water flow better and stop blockages. ‘This will keep the area safer and protect homes from flooding,’ said Manuel Camacho from engineering firm IMACAPI.
Mayor José Miguel Luengo said the project is part of a bigger plan to improve the town’s infrastructure. ‘We’re working on parks, drainage systems, and flood-prone areas to protect our community. This upgrade will not only help with water drainage but also give people a new place to walk and relax,’ he said.
The project is funded with a €350,000 grant from the regional government and over €200,000 from the town’s budget. Work should be finished by mid-April, making the area safer and more enjoyable for residents.
Smart Park
Catherine McGeer
A new park in San Javier is being built to make the area cooler and greener. Located near Calle Isla de Alborán in Santiago de la Ribera, it should be ready by early March.
Part of the PIMA Climate Change Plan, the park is designed to lower temperatures by 2 to 8 degrees Celsius on hot days. With 420 trees and shrubs, it will absorb about 1,050 kg of CO2 per year. A special drainage system will help manage rainwater better.
The park covers 7,979m² and has a budget of €140,000, including an €80,000 government grant. It will have a plaza, a sports court, a petanque area, and rain gardens. A 3-metre-deep well will help prevent flooding by collecting extra rainwater. Drainage channels and inlets will also help control water from the streets.
The park will include solar lights, benches, outdoor gym equipment, sports goals, a playground, and picnic tables. Mayor José Miguel Luengo said the park will be a green space for the community and a smart way to manage rainwater and reduce heat.
Air Affects
MURCIA’s air quality monitoring network will support an international research project looking at how pollution, transport initiatives, and heart disease are connected. Researchers from the University of Murcia, Liverpool, and Bialystok (Poland) are applying for EU funding to carry out the study.
The region’s Environment Department has agreed to share detailed air quality data, including readings from its mobile unit, to help identify risks and possible ways to prevent heart problems. Researchers Francisco Marín (University of Murcia) and Lukasz Kuzma (University of Bialystok) recently visited one of the 11 monitoring stations in Murcia’s San Basilio district to check how the data is collected. They were joined by Environment Director Juan Antonio Mata.
Mata pointed out that Murcia’s air quality network is one of the most advanced in Europe, offering a huge amount of data for comparison with health records. The mobile unit, which was upgraded with a €118,351 investment, will also be available for further studies.
If approved, the project could start in early 2026, involving over 200 researchers and several partners. It will also look at how transport policies under the EU’s Smart Cities program affect public health. Talks have begun with the regional Health Department to coordinate efforts.
This study could provide important insights into how pollution and sustainable transport impact heart health.
Incredible Support
MABS Mazarrón has had a busy start to 2025, with volunteers providing vital support to local people facing cancer. So far this year, the team delivered an incredible amount of help and services. Assisting with 93 appointments,88 translations, and much more.
The charity is always looking for new volunteers, no matter your skills. If you’d like to get involved, contact them via WhatsApp at 634 362 954 or email mazvolunteers@mabscancerfoundation.org. Every helping hand makes a difference in providing practical support to those who need it most.
Read more Costa Calida news, articles and events here
