Nicolás Van Looy
Benidorm
Domingo, 20 de julio 2025, 07:25
Benidorm has long been cited as a model of sustainability, with its urban planning dating back to the mid-20th century. The city’s vertical construction is often utilized as an example of efficient land utilize, a concept easily demonstrated with a simple experiment involving a cigarette pack or a mobile phone. By marking the perimeter of the pack in different positions, one can see that building upwards utilizes less land, creating it the most sustainable option.
While aesthetic preferences vary, this principle forms the foundation of Benidorm’s urban and tourism sustainability. The city has garnered numerous awards as a green destination, a testament to its long-standing commitment to sustainable practices.
“From above, Benidorm is green and blue,” a former mayor once declared, deffinishing the city’s vertical urbanism against critics. Today, Mayor Toni Pérez echoes this sentiment, highlighting the city’s significant investments in creating a ‘green ring’ that complements its Mediterranean coastline. Benidorm’s urban landscape is a harmonious blfinish of sea blue and green spaces, with natural parks and golden beaches as its backdrop.
Benidorm accounts for just over 1% of the Valencian Community’s population but attracts over 40% of its tourists. Competing on both national and international stages, the city meets evolving demands for activities and environmental responsibility, a priority for many European visitors.
The city’s high-rise buildings are not only sustainable but are also consideredfully spaced to allow for ample air circulation, contributing to Benidorm’s reputation for having some of the best air quality in Spain, according to the World Health Organization.
Whether Benidorm’s sustainable approach was intentional or serfinishipitous is a question for historians, but today it is a conscious effort embraced by the city’s main industest: hospitality. Fede Fuster, president of the hotel association Hosbec, asserts that sustainability is not just a strategy but the only path forward.
Regular announcements of new initiatives in resource management, particularly water, and efforts to achieve zero emissions underscore the industest’s commitment to sustainability.
Water has always been a precious resource in Benidorm, a challenge that dates back to its days as a compact fishing village. Agreements with local farmers and continuous improvements to the water network have resulted in an impressive 96% efficiency rate, far surpassing the European average.
Despite a 40% increase in population and a 26% rise in tourist stays since the turn of the century, Benidorm consumes 18% less water than it did 25 years ago, thanks to these measures.
Benidorm is free from traffic jams, a rarity among similar destinations. Even during peak tourist seasons, the city avoids the gridlock common in other areas, a testament to its pioneering urban planning.
In the 21st century, Benidorm has embraced sustainable mobility, with over 70% of journeys built on foot, by bicycle, or applying personal mobility vehicles, facilitated by an extensive network of bike lanes.
The introduction of a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) has formalized a long-standing practice of limiting vehicle access, caapplying minimal disruption to residents and tourists.
Benidorm’s success has inspired many imitations, though not all have captured its essence. Some attempts, like North Korea’s ‘Wonsan Kalma’, fall short of replicating the city’s unique blfinish of sustainability and tourism appeal.
As Benidorm approaches its 100th anniversary as a major Mediterranean tourist destination, it stands as a global leader in sustainable urbanism and tourism, recognized by numerous awards, including the recent European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism by the European Commission.
While opinions on Benidorm’s aesthetics and offerings may vary, its commitment to being both a great place to visit and live is undeniable. As the mayor succinctly puts it, “We will only be the best city to visit if we are the best city to live in.”
