The City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has awarded Urban 2020 the improvement of the area around La Puntilla beach, in San Cristóbal, for 778,041.62 euros. The project, co-financed by the Canary Islands Development Fund, will have an execution period of six months.
La Puntilla beach, in the San Cristóbal district of the capital, is set to undergo a makeover that will make it a more pedestrian-friendly space. The City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has awarded the company Urban 2020 the works for the improvement of the area, with a budget amounting to 778,041.62 euros. The intervention, which is funded by the Canary Islands Development Fund (Fdcan), will start in the coming months and will last for six months.
Unique platform and vehicle restrictions on Estribor street
The project covers an area of 1,810 square meters between Estribor street, the port of San Cristóbal, and the Popa promenade. The main innovation is the repaving of Estribor street with a unique platform, which will act as an extension of the San Cristóbal promenade. Vehicle access will be restricted, although access for emergency and maintenance services will be maintained. The councillor for Planning, Urban Development, and Housing, Mauricio Roque, explained that the intervention aims to improve accessibility and the quality of public space.
For residents, this means a change in habits. Those who used to park in the area will need to seek alternatives, but they will gain a continuous promenade by the sea. The idea is for the street to become a staying space, with urban furniture and pergolas that provide shade. Coastal-adapted vegetation will also be planted, helping to integrate the environment with the marine landscape.
New access to the beach and adapted services
One of the project's strong points is the improvement of access to the beach. New ramps and adapted stairs for people with reduced mobility will be installed, as well as sunbathing areas. Additionally, prefabricated modules with accessible toilets, showers, and foot showers will be placed. The last sections leading to the sand will be conditioned with lightweight and removable materials to comply with coastal regulations.
The head of City of the Sea, Pedro Quevedo, highlighted La Puntilla's connection to the maritime character and traditional fishing activity of San Cristóbal. The renewal of the lighting, with a system designed to reduce light pollution, is another detail that will enhance the experience for both bathers and walkers. The proposed solutions are flexible to facilitate their adaptation to the future reorganization of the San Cristóbal waterfront.
Residents of the neighbourhood, who have been demanding improvements in the area for years, will see how the beach gains in accessibility and services. The intervention benefits not only the residents but also the tourists who increasingly frequent this corner of the Gran Canaria capital. With the new configuration, La Puntilla aims to become a benchmark for sustainable urban beaches.
The works, funded by Fdcan, represent an economic boost for the city and will create jobs during the six months of execution. The execution period is six months, so if the work begins in autumn, the beach could be looking renewed by next spring. In the meantime, users will have to cope with the inconveniences typical of construction, although the result promises to be worth it.
The transformation of La Puntilla is another step in the strategy of the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to reclaim the coastal front for pedestrians. It remains to be seen if the rest of the San Cristóbal neighbourhood will follow the same path, but for now, the beach takes the prize.
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