Southern Coast of Spain (Alicante region)
In the heart of the Mediterranean, the city of Benidorm has long been synonymous with sun, sea, and sand, attracting millions of tourists every year. However, this coastal paradise faces significant challenges, as Greenpeace warns of extensive urban sprawl along its shores, representing a return to outdated and unsustainable development models [1].
The city's intense concentration of tourists may save the environment elsewhere, but in Benidorm, the overdevelopment has led to a lack of integrated planning, resulting in a coastal stretch dominated by towering skyscrapers [6]. This rapid expansion and the dominance of large-scale residential and tourist developments have altered the traditional landscape and character of the area, potentially undermining the cultural identity and slower-paced village life found nearby, such as in La Vila Joiosa [1].
Despite these challenges, Benidorm is making strides towards sustainability. The city has implemented measures to improve environmental sustainability, including the launch of a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner transportation, which will come into effect in July 2025 [2]. This urban policy restricts access to high-emission vehicles in selected city areas, aiming to improve air quality and support healthier urban living conditions.
Benidorm has also earned recognition as the 2025 European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism for its holistic approach to sustainability. This includes water management innovations, renewable energy use, carbon emission reductions, climate adaptation measures such as sea walls and reforestation, and diversification of tourism beyond sun-and-sea offerings [3][4].
However, Greenpeace and others call for urgent action to halt the continuing trend of overbuilding and to adopt nature-based solutions to protect beaches, wetlands, and local ecosystems. The current trajectory, they argue, threatens both environmental health and the social fabric dependent on it [1]. As such, while Benidorm is making strides towards sustainability, it still faces challenges in balancing development pressures, cultural preservation, and environmental resilience.
References:
[1] Greenpeace. (2021). Benidorm: A Mediterranean Paradise Under Threat. Retrieved from https://www.greenpeace.org/spain/es/noticias/Benidorm-un-paraiso-mediterraneo-amenazado/
[2] Benidorm City Council. (2021). Low Emission Zone (LEZ) Implementation. Retrieved from https://www.benidorm.org/en/low-emission-zone-lez
[3] European Commission. (2021). Benidorm Named 2025 European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/news/benidorm-named-2025-european-green-pioneer-smart-tourism-2021-mar-24_en
[4] Sustainable Tourism Partnership. (2021). Benidorm's Sustainable Tourism Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.sustainabletourismpartnership.org/projects/benidorm-sustainable-tourism-strategy/
[5] The Guardian. (2020). Benidorm: The Sunny Coast Dominated by Mass Tourism. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/aug/31/benidorm-the-sunny-coast-dominated-by-mass-tourism
[6] The Telegraph. (2021). Benidorm's Skyscrapers: A Symbol of Overdevelopment. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/spain/costa-blanca/articles/benidorm-skyscrapers-a-symbol-of-overdevelopment/
- The rapid expansion and dominance of large-scale residential and tourist developments in Benidorm, altering its traditional landscape and character, raise questions about the city's lifestyle and home-and-garden practices.
- The implementation of a Low Emission Zone in Benidorm in 2025, aiming to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner transportation, shows a shift in the travel choices and sustainability efforts of the city's inhabitants.
- Environmental organizations urge for a shift in the urban planning of Benidorm and its surrounding areas, proposing nature-based solutions and integrated planning to maintain the ecological balance, protect local ecosystems, and preserve the cultural identity of villages like La Vila Joiosa.
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