The project to restore the ancient wetland that gave its name to the city of La Laguna has surpassed the first phase of exploration and continues to meet deadlines to move forward, the Town Hall explained this Wednesday. Technical studies, they emphasise, support the viability of this environmental regeneration initiative, civil protection, and the fight against climate change.
The initiative, driven by the Town Hall of La Laguna and the Government of the Canary Islands, aims to recover a free plot of nearly 30,000 square metres located not far from the vicinity of La Concepción and situated between Silverio Alonso, Tabares Bartlet, José Peraza de Ayala, and Avenida de San Diego.
Specifically, the geotechnical surveys have allowed for precise determination of the groundwater levels and characterisation of the different soil types, essential data for the correct technical definition of this future space, as specified by the council in a statement.
Along with the hydrogeological study, the works have validated that the conditions of the subsoil and the surrounding area make it possible to recover the ancient wetland with technical, environmental, and urban guarantees.
Following the acquisition of these favourable results, the project has now entered the phase of drafting the execution project, which is currently at a high level of development and nearing completion. This document will be key to detailing the planned actions, from the restoration of the natural space to technical solutions for drainage, landscaping, and urban integration.
The Town Hall celebrates that the initiative not only represents the recovery of a site of enormous symbolic and historical value for the city but also offers urban and environmental opportunities, as it will help reduce the risk of flooding in the area, contribute to improving the municipality’s adaptation to climate change, and create a large green space open for public use and enjoyment.
“The future urban wetland is envisioned as a multifunctional infrastructure that will combine the conservation of natural heritage with spaces for walking and leisure, environmental education, and enhancing the quality of life for all of La Laguna’s residents,” specified the mayor.
The local mayor also stated that the local corporation is advanced in negotiations with the owners of the affected plots to agree on the acquisition of these lands, within the framework of the autonomous project’s general interest.
Project Details
The project manager and engineer of roads, canals, and ports at Gestur Canarias, Manuel Galván, has outlined the “complexity” of the project due to the restoration of the morphological and functional aspects of a part of the original lagoon that was drained by human actions. Thus, it will involve an environmental restoration exercise with significant added historical value that will also allow for the visualization and reinterpretation of a geographical element that was key to the city’s founding more than five centuries ago, which is now gone.
He also highlighted aspects of interest regarding the hydraulic functioning of the wetland, stressing how the filling of the basin will occur during rainfall periods and how it will be drained in a controlled and automated manner, which will help mitigate the risk of flooding in the historic centre.
Additionally, the project includes an annex from José María Fernández, a professor of Botany, Ecology, and Plant Physiology at the University of La Laguna, which outlines the flora to be implanted in the wetland, along with complementary measures to combat the presence of mosquito larvae.
