The mayor of Arrecife, Yonathan de León, the deputy mayor, Echedey Eugenio, and the councilor of Urbanism, Maciot Cabrera, have presented this Tuesday morning in a press conference the details of the document of the Supplementary General Plan, which will be submitted to the validation of the capital's plenary session next Monday, March 17, after the extraordinary Urbanism commission held this same Tuesday.
As the capital's leaders have explained, the government group, made up of the Popular Party and the Canarian Coalition, "has worked on eliminating the obstacles that have paralyzed the development of the city in recent years."
The mayor of Arrecife, Yonathan de León, has detailed that “the plan foresees creating land for the construction of more than 5,000 homes, of which 1,500 will be protected public housing. A need of the population is already covered with the decision of our Government group.”
Yonathan de León emphasized that this new plan contemplates “the creation of new spaces and green lungs, which will also allow the construction of large underground parking lots.”
For his part, the deputy mayor, Echedey Eugenio, has assured that “an urban plan has been guaranteed that prioritizes the general interest over particular interests, offering stability and security to citizens”, emphasizing that “we are not going to give in to smear campaigns; this document puts an end to decades of urban uncertainty and establishes the bases for an orderly and sustainable growth of the city.”
Thus, "after years of obsolete regulations and multiple failed attempts at updating, the Supplementary Plan proposes a modern ordering that guarantees legal security for both residents and investors. In addition, it seeks to eliminate the barriers that have prevented the development of Arrecife, establishing efficient and sustainable planning."
In his turn, the capital's head of Urbanism, Maciot Cabrera, emphasized that the Supplementary Plan “seeks to combine the legitimate interests of the owners with the legitimate interests of the citizens.” He also highlighted that “Arrecife needed serious and responsible planning in terms of housing and with this Supplementary Plan we are fulfilling an electoral commitment and responding to one of the greatest concerns of our citizens.”
Relevant aspects of the Supplementary Plan
Among the most relevant aspects of the new document are:
Regularization of homes: More than 450 homes in the nuclei of Las Vírgenes and the Camino de Güime will be regularized, providing security to their residents and allowing the installation of basic infrastructures.
Increase in land destined for Officially Protected Housing (VPO): It is increased from 10% to 30%, facilitating access to housing and offering solutions to the housing crisis. This translates into more than 1,500 homes of a social nature and more than 3,500 of a private nature. That is, more than 5,000 new homes.
Ordering of the Tenorio industrial area: It will allow the promotion of economic development and the generation of new business opportunities. In addition, almost 500,000 square meters will be enabled for industrial land throughout the municipality.
Elimination of assignments between sectors: This measure unlocks urban growth, allowing in turn land transfers for infrastructure and free spaces for the city.
Improvements in infrastructure and services: New spaces will be enabled for cultural, health and educational facilities, as well as solutions to the parking problem through the creation of more parking spaces and parking lots.
Moderate growth in height: The increase in buildability is allowed in the expansion areas of the municipality for the same owner units, balancing urban expansion with the preservation of the environment.
Legal security and attraction of investment: Clear and stable regulations are established that promote private investment and the development of strategic projects.
Partial plans underway: Respect for plans in development is guaranteed, ensuring their continuity and ensuring the obtaining of land for essential public infrastructures such as hospitals, sports and cultural spaces.
Sustainability and mobility: Commitment to public transport and the creation of new green lungs that improve the environmental quality of the city. A total of 287,000 square meters for urban parks, going from 2.57 square meters per inhabitant to 6.41 square meters.
The Islote del Francés: A clear categorization of the land is established in this key area of the city, guaranteeing its correct use in the urban development of Arrecife. With this, the uncertainty about this strategic plot is ended and the way to possible future claims is avoided.
The Supplementary Plan is committed to "a model of a modern and efficient city, where sustainable development, the improvement of the quality of life of citizens and the attraction of investments are prioritized. In addition, it establishes a balanced urban growth with greater availability of public transport and the creation of new green spaces."
After municipal validation, the document will be initially approved by the Ministry of Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Water of the Government of the Canary Islands and will be on public display for 45 days. In this period, informative meetings will be held in the neighborhoods so that residents can learn about the plan in detail and submit allegations. The response to allegations and request for reports is scheduled for September, while the final approval is expected for December 2025, coinciding with the expiration of the environmental procedure in force.
