Completing her inaugural year heading the Urban Planning department, one of the capital’s most intricate areas, Zaida González (PP) has undertaken the weighty responsibility of charting the future urban development of Santa Cruz. Despite facing numerous challenges, she has succeeded in taking charge of the lone council department that was without a director at the start of the term. This situation, which has now been resolved, further bolsters her commitment to executing all the pending projects, including the revamp of Las Teresitas.
-Guillermo Díaz Guerra (PP) recently assumed the role of Urban Planning director: what does his appointment signify?
“It is not merely a reinforcement, but rather a seamless continuation and endorsement of the work I have been engaged in thus far, as I inherited the responsibilities from my predecessor and have been driving them forward over the past year. Díaz Guerra’s arrival bolstering a department he’s already familiar with proves advantageous and comforting. The appointment of a director took an extended period owing to the complexities involved. Initially, I had a different profile in mind, as I was concerned that appointing a former councillor in Urban Planning could raise eyebrows. However, it was unanimously agreed that he was the most suitable candidate, a decision corroborated by the officials’ assessment of his CV and clearance from the Intervention. I have nothing but gratitude for this decision and much to look forward to.”
The current focus of the management is on urban planning within the city. How is progress shaping up?
“We recently presented amendment number 3 of the General Planning Plan (PGO) to the governing council, rectifying a longstanding discrepancy concerning the coastal road, thus paving the way for the development of the entire area. Additionally, we completed amendment number 1, organising the sporting area above the Quico Cabrera pavilion, and also saw through amendment number 2, linked to the development of the Las Teresitas beach area. Consequently, the future urban landscape is gradually taking form, culminating in the eventual approval of the new General Plan anticipated around 2027. Initiating this endeavour is crucial, as the timeline in Urbanism and urban planning is protracted. What matters most is having a clear vision for the city’s trajectory.”
Will the urban remodelling of Las Teresitas include the construction of a hotel?
“The renovation of Las Teresitas is slated for completion within this term. Concerning the hotel, it’s essential to note that it was part of the 1992 General Plan specifying a designated hotel plot. Whether the hotel materialises or not, the plot provides an avenue for generating revenue, which can be reinvested back into the municipality as needed. The economic feasibility of each urban development is crucial. The sale of said plot is unrelated to the beach development but rather signifies an avenue to augment municipal funds for other essential undertakings. I wish to clarify that while these aspects are intertwined in planning, each project must exhibit viable economic prospects.”
Is the renovation of Las Teresitas an ambitious venture?
“It is a project befitting the city’s stature, ensuring the availability of a first-rate beach. This initiative was on the brink of approval before the 2013 General Development Plan was overturned by the Court, resulting in a ripple effect that nullified all associated special plans. Hence, the ongoing modification of the 2005 PGO mirrors the essence of the unapproved special plan, endorsed even during the Socialist Party’s administration under Patricia Hernández. The opposition’s puzzling stance on this matter fails to align with rational governance principles. Good policies for the city while in office should remain favourable even when in opposition. Therefore, I am spearheading the preliminary steps towards drafting the prospective General Plan, a task that I or my successor will uphold. What’s critical is laying the groundwork for the city’s envisioned path, considering the enduring nature of Urbanism and urban planning.”
On a different note, special plans like the one for El Toscal are being pursued. What impact will this have on the city?
“The Toscal Plan has been finalised, with plans underway for a modification to streamline the assessment process for properties that haven’t been assessed due to untraceable owners or limited access to evaluate the premises. This plan seems set to endure without legal challenges, thus ensuring stability. The area’s future has been mapped out, aligning with the new plan’s development. Owners of affected properties earmarked for public spaces or parking areas can apply for expropriations within two years. The council has laid the groundwork, with imminent actions slated for the Pisaca area, alongside the ongoing initiatives on La Rosa street and the pedestrianisation of San Martín street.”
As for the Special Plan for Hotels, the deliberations surrounding the bullring’s future persist. What course of action appears most viable?
“The plan is still in progress, hampered by a jurisdictional dispute with the Tenerife Council over the delineation of its extent and its potential inclusion of the bullring within the redevelopment ambit. I advocate for revitalising buildings to align with their surroundings. Regarding the bullring, retaining a portion of the structure is a viable urban planning strategy, given the Rambla’s layout and the impractical curve the bullring infrastructure necessitates. A harmonious project could retain a section of the building, facilitating a straightened Rambla, merging both utilities. However, the structure’s fragmented ownership poses a challenge. An economically unviable building with escalating maintenance costs compounds the dilemma. Although the bullfighting tradition isn’t prevalent in the Canary Islands, preserving aspects of the structure acknowledges its historical significance for the city.”
Transitioning to historic buildings, how is the capital’s heritage protection registry progressing?
“The conclusive formulation of this registry is a meticulous undertaking
The contract has been granted to the company Centro de Observación y Remote Detección Spacial until 2026. They will be responsible for conducting a thorough analysis of all properties, including the additional 500 properties identified by the Cabildo. Once this process concludes, we will have the final catalogue. The subsequent step will involve opening it to a full and transparent participatory process, where it will be publicly displayed for any objections before final approval.
How many properties are currently part of this catalogue?
Aside from the existing listings, the Tenerife Cabildo has also included properties from the 2013 plan that they deemed necessary for protection. The issues we are facing now stem not only from the annulment of the previous plan but also from assets added subsequently. Our approach is to evaluate each property individually, a task that the contracted company will undertake. New proposals, like the preservation of old military batteries, can also be considered.
Could the absence of a protection catalogue lead to incidents like the recent demolition of the Pérez Soto house?
The downfall of the 2013 General Plan eliminated the original protection catalogue, although the Pérez Soto house was not initially in it. Problems began post the judicial nullification of the plan, triggering the house’s demolition. The first instance was in 2018 with a building on Puerta Canseco street. Although it lacked a heritage assessment, a court ruling allowed its destruction. Following this, the city council ceased issuing demolition permits. This prompted developers to challenge the council, enabling them to act on non-catalogued properties.
-Another historical Planning dispute surrounds the abandoned Añaza hotel. Is its demolition imminent?
This year, the building was deemed no longer serving public interest, paving the way for expropriation and subsequent demolition. The estimated cost for the process is €2.5 million. Once final approval is secured, the demolition tender will be issued. Challenges arise due to the hotel’s history from the Franco era and its location restrictions. Therefore, expropriating the site is being considered to expedite the demolition.
-What lies ahead for Santa Cruz?
The future of the capital entails finalizing a General Planning Plan, concluding special plans and that of Las Teresitas, as well as developing urban action units. Additionally, we have urged the Canary Islands Government to lead the planning for the Refinery area, essential for the city’s future development.
