Valencia: Achieving Green Capital Status – A Model for Sustainable Urban Development

Valencia, with its prime location on the Mediterranean, has long enjoyed the distinction of being one of Spain’s sunniest cities. However, it now proudly holds another title: the most sustainable city, having been awarded the prestigious Green Capital of Europe accolade.

The European Commission’s recognition of Valencia’s sustainability efforts is underscored by the city’s vast green spaces, totalling 5 million square metres. A staggering 97% of residents reside within a mere 300 metres of these verdant havens, whether it be the famed sandy beaches of the Mediterranean or the serene marshy lagoon of the Albufera, where Valencia’s renowned paella rice thrives.

Bestowed annually to a European city that exemplifies environmental leadership, the Green Capital title brings with it not only a monetary reward of 600,000 euros ($656,000) from the European Commission but also invaluable marketing prestige. Previous recipients, such as Tallinn, Estonia, and Oslo, Norway, have benefited from this esteemed recognition.

Paola Llobet, Valencia’s councillor for tourism and innovation, views the award as a testament to the collective efforts of the community. She remarks, “I think it’s a recognition by the European Community of our common work. It’s something that we, as a community, have been building for years within neighbourhoods. We have been protecting our orchards, our beaches, our sea, the Albufera Natural Park and more.”

A testament to Valencia’s commitment to sustainability is the Turia Nature Park, a nine-kilometre-long oasis created from a converted riverbed that traverses the city. This remarkable green corridor stands as a testament to Valencia’s dedication to preserving and enhancing its natural environment.

Envisioning the Future: A Green Revolution of Parks and Pedestrian Zones

Following a devastating flood in 1957, plans were set in motion to transform the Turia River into a multi-lane highway. However, public outcry against this development led to a significant shift in perspective, with citizens advocating for more green spaces in the city centre.

Today, Turia has evolved into a cherished communal area—a verdant ribbon that links the fruit orchards on the city’s outskirts to the tranquil shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Weekends see the park teeming with activity, from spirited soccer matches to rugby and baseball games at its numerous sports facilities. Families bask in the sunshine as they picnic beneath the shade of baobab and cypress trees, while adventurers test their mettle climbing mediaeval stone bridges or executing amateur acrobatics.

At the heart of Turia lies the City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic marvel designed by renowned Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava. Its sleek, avant-garde design, characterised by bright white curves and skeletal supports, has made it a magnet for tourists and filmmakers alike, serving as a backdrop for various science fiction productions, from “Star Wars” to “Westworld.”

Moreover, the Turia serves as an eco-friendly thoroughfare for sustainable transportation. With designated paths spanning its length, cyclists and electric scooter riders can traverse the city with ease, circumventing congested streets and reducing their carbon footprint.

Giuseppe Grezzi, an Italian transplant to Valencia, found his passion for cycling intertwined with his involvement in local politics, culminating in his tenure as the city’s councillor of sustainable mobility for eight years. His most notable achievement was the expansion of bike lanes by over 50%, a testament to Valencia’s commitment to green initiatives.

Under Grezzi’s leadership, Valencia invested heavily in sustainable transport infrastructure, including the expansion of metro lines, the introduction of public bicycle schemes, and the enhancement of bike paths spanning nearly 200 kilometres. Additionally, during the pandemic, the city took proactive measures to convert high-traffic areas into pedestrian-only zones, fostering a more pedestrian-friendly environment, exemplified by the transformation of the central roundabout, home to Valencia’s historic City Hall, into a pedestrian haven amidst the city’s impressive 18th-century architecture.

Abundant Harvest in Valencia: La Huerta’s Agricultural Wealth

Another advantage of Valencia’s lush greenery is its rich bounty of fruits and vegetables. Enveloping the city is La Huerta, spanning over 120 square kilometres of fruit orchards and vegetable plots, from which produce finds its way to Valencia’s bustling municipal markets. Recognizing the importance of local food systems, the European Commission lauded Valencia’s neighbourhood and food program, aligning with the Zero Kilometre food movement. This initiative promotes the cultivation and consumption of food within the same vicinity, curbing transportation emissions and costs.

Valencia’s Mercado Central stands as a vibrant testament to this ethos. Within its expansive modernist confines, nearly 300 vendors peddle a diverse array of fruits, vegetables, fish, and meats. The day begins in earnest before dawn, with a flurry of activity as trucks unload fresh produce, including Valencia’s renowned oranges, sourced from the surrounding area.

Despite its allure as a tourist magnet, Mercado Central remains deeply rooted in local life, with approximately 80% of its patrons being residents of Valencia. This local connection extends to the city’s burgeoning gastronomic scene, marked by an increasing number of Michelin-starred restaurants. Chef Begoña Rodrigo, for instance, founded La Salita in 2005 to celebrate the region’s culinary treasures. Her innovative approach to cuisine earned her a coveted Michelin star in 2019, a testament to her ability to elevate the flavours of Valencia’s bounty.

Steering Valencia Towards Sustainable Horizons Despite Navigating Political Currents

However, Valencia grapples with formidable environmental challenges, compounded by shifting political landscapes. The genesis of Valencia’s Green Capital initiative under the previous left-leaning coalition, known as Compromis, contrasts sharply with the political tides that swept the centre-right Popular Party (PP) and the far-right Vox into power in 2023, prompting concerns among environmental advocates.

Giuseppe Grezzi, former councillor of sustainable mobility, voices apprehensions over stalled projects and partisan divides hindering sustainability efforts. He stresses the need for a unified, nonpartisan approach to safeguarding Valencia’s environmental agenda.

Despite these obstacles, Paola Llobet, the current councillor of tourism and innovation, remains resolute in pursuing sustainability goals. While acknowledging policy divergences, Llobet underscores the overarching objective of fostering a sustainable city for residents and visitors alike.

Strategies to Tame Tourism’s Tide in Valencia

Valencia faces pivotal decisions regarding its commercial port and cruise terminal, with proposals for expansion posing challenges to sustainable tourism management. The spectre of over-tourism looms large, echoing the struggles of cities like Barcelona and Venice. Concerns abound over the strain on infrastructure and the environment, prompting calls for prudent measures to regulate tourist influx.

Llobet advocates for leveraging technology to mitigate tourism’s impact, with initiatives such as producing “heat maps” to guide tourists and alleviate congestion. She emphasises the imperative of ensuring a positive tourism footprint, given the sector’s significant role in Valencia’s economy.

Yet, amidst these efforts, Valencia’s cherished Fallas tradition poses a poignant environmental dilemma. The annual spectacle, characterised by extravagant parades and firework displays, exacts a toll on the environment, with emissions from burning polystyrene and petroleum-based products marrying its festivities.

Innovative Solutions for Valencia’s Path to Sustainability

To address these challenges, Valencia embarks on its inaugural “Green Fallas,” promoting eco-friendly alternatives in a bid to transform the tradition by 2030. Initiatives like these underscore Valencia’s commitment to reconciling tradition with sustainability.

As Valencia navigates the intricate interplay between tradition, tourism, and environmental stewardship, the city stands at a crossroads, poised to chart a path towards a greener, more sustainable future. Through collaboration, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to its environmental heritage, Valencia endeavours to redefine what it means to be a great example of sustainability in Europe.

Promoting Sustainable Heritage in Valencia

This year, Valencia commemorates its prestigious Green Capital status with the inaugural “Green Fallas,” marking a significant stride towards sustainability. Neighbourhoods receive funding to construct Fallas monuments using environmentally conscious materials like paper maché, wood, and rice-stalks, aiming for a complete transition to sustainable materials by 2030.

At the heart of this initiative stands the monumental centrepiece of the festival, the “2 Doves, 1 Branch,” currently under construction in front of City Hall. Symbolising a plea for peace, the towering structure features a pair of white doves carrying an olive branch. Crafted from wood, papier-mâché, and Neops—a sustainable alternative to polystyrene derived from plant residues—it embodies Valencia’s commitment to marrying tradition with eco-conscious practices.

Nevertheless, reconciling cherished traditions with environmental imperatives poses challenges. Despite efforts to green the Fallas, Valencia’s iconic mascletà—a daily fireworks spectacle—remains a contentious issue. Each day, hosted by a different Valencian neighbourhood community known as a “fallero,” the event captivates audiences with its thunderous crescendo of sound and smoke.

Llobet acknowledges the difficulty of fully aligning the Fallas with sustainability goals but underscores ongoing efforts to make the tradition more environmentally friendly. Collaborating with various falleros, Valencia endeavours to minimise the use of plastics and waste, as well as water consumption, in the festival’s execution. Despite the scale and entrenched nature of the event, Valencia remains steadfast in its commitment to evolving the Fallas into a more sustainable, eco-conscious tradition, emblematic of the city’s enduring dedication to environmental stewardship.