The Yaiza City Council has responded to criticism of the works being carried out in the church square of Uga, stating that "all interventions respond to problem-solving and improvements based on technical criteria."
"In view of inaccurate and biased information spread by opposition political parties in Yaiza regarding the work in the church square of the town of Uga, the municipal government clarifies that this, like other works, corresponds to the plan of corrective actions in terms of accessibility, lighting, renovation, and updating of infrastructure in public buildings and their surroundings for compliance, in addition, with accessibility regulations, since some of these spaces were built in the seventies, eighties, and nineties."
The government group points out that "the objective in the Uga square is to remove architectural barriers and renovate the garden areas, achieving the urban integration of the temple in its environment. It is the obligation of public administrations to provide solutions and execute actions, within the scope of their powers, that enable universal access for all residents and visitors to public spaces."
"Apart from that, some buildings and/or public spaces have inappropriate designs, outdated and poorly maintained infrastructure due to the wear and tear of materials (pavements, coatings, paint, humidity...), deficiencies in outdoor lighting, inadequate landscaping, and other aspects that also deserve the attention of the institutions," they state.
They recall that "the small square located outside the church of Uga dates back to the late 70s. In terms of accessibility, it is a space that has floors at different levels, which, although initially bridged with steps, have been eliminated over the years with the construction of small ramps, introduction of landscaping elements to bridge unevenness, and decorative stones, among others, which, although at the time contributed to improving the functionality of the space to some extent, do not fully adapt to the regulations on the elimination of architectural barriers, representing a problem for some users."
Regarding the renovation and redesign of landscaping elements in the square, they clarify that "apart from fulfilling their primary function as decorative elements, they were placed in that location with the intention of bridging the height differences between the square and the side sidewalk, which are currently 25 cm, and with the main entrance from Joaquín Rodríguez street (15 cm)."
"Apparently, the design of the planters did not specifically obey the contribution of decorative plant elements, but rather the interposition of objects that helped to bridge the height differences present there," they add.
They continue explaining that "if the design had been taken into account as a primary element, it is likely that the cost of the works at that time would have increased greatly given the circumstances. As expected, a compromise solution was chosen that has certainly fulfilled its function until now, but which in current times makes no sense since, in this type of space, concepts such as 'Single Platform' are increasingly imposed, in which it is possible to intersperse different functional elements integrated harmoniously with the aim of providing barrier-free accessibility."
In addition, they point out that "another problem detected that causes damage to the west wall of the church of Uga is the presence of small planters located between the buttresses of the temple, which are a source of humidity inside, and whose elimination is necessary for the better conservation of the building. In its place, the space is planned to be covered with a white-painted concrete slab, expanding the sidewalk."
In relation to urban integration, they explain that "there are two extremes that are worth improving with the adoption of simple but effective solutions. Firstly, a modification of the turning radius of the southwest vertex of the exterior square of the Church is necessary, at the meeting between Joaquín Rodríguez streets and the entrance to Montaña Guardilama street."
"Traditionally, the turning access from Joaquín Rodríguez street to Montaña Guardilama street presents a narrowing that hinders the maneuvers of many vehicles to enter the street. This is due to the inadequate geometry of that sidewalk with a small turning radius," they state.
In the statement they have made, they also point out that "the solution consists of demolishing part of said sidewalk with the intention of incorporating a greater opening in the access by means of a turning radius of between 2.50 m and 3.00 m, although other interactions will have to be studied in situ for its implementation."
Secondly, "with the intention of providing better integration of the public spaces located in the area (Uga church square, Agricultural Market, and esplanade of the Fairgrounds), a small intervention is necessary consisting of the suppression of part of a garden area of the square to expand the ramp that connects it with the market, since said inclined plane does not comply with accessibility regulations by exceeding the maximum slope allowed for that horizontal development, nor with the minimum clear passage width for transit with wheelchairs."
The City Council points out that "for the moment, these are works of little significance and complexity, and the action is divided into two stages. In the first, the demolition of deteriorated pavements and curbs, the exterior sidewalk on Guardilama street and its meeting with Joaquín Rodríguez street, the demolition of planters, steps, and concreting of slabs, and the replacement of curbs are addressed."
"And for a later stage, a more far-reaching action is planned that integrates all the aforementioned public spaces, unifying criteria and providing a sidewalk that will allow citizens to travel along a safe route from the church of Uga to the facilities of the recently renovated Uga Picnic Area, which has just been equipped with an inclusive playground, as was also the children's play area located next to the CEIP Uga, within the program of renovation of 24 children's parks in the municipality," they reveal.
Finally, they explain that "in relation to the project of the second phase, the Yaiza City Council will put out to tender the corresponding technical project to contract the major works. This project will study new planters, lighting, and new pavements."