The Governing Council of Open Commercial Areas (ZCA) in Tenerife for the year 2025 has unveiled its latest initiative. A significant addition, in collaboration with the island’s local councils, is the incorporation of parking facilities, as the establishment of designated parking spaces has consistently been a prominent request from the management of these outdoor commercial activity hubs.
Criteria
In order to engage with this initiative, certain criteria must be met, including the justification for parking needs being adequately substantiated in the relevant Master Plan. The projects must be situated on public land or must have permission for execution according to urban planning regulations. Additionally, they should be within the boundaries of a ZCA or, if applicants are outside this perimeter, no more than 1,000 metres from the border, with the parking management being publicly operated.
Background
In October 2023, the Ministry of Commerce and Business Support launched this type of call for the first time. Eighteen Commercial Zones participated, with their projects soon to be put out to tender. The area councillor, Krysten Martín, notes that “the new initiative allows every town council to engage and work towards restoring, maintaining, and promoting traditional shopping centres.” The objective is “to maintain the ongoing strategy for enhancing and adapting the urban spaces where primary commercial activities occur.”
The Cabildo encourages the drafting of master plans for those ZCAs that are lacking such tools. Krysten Martín highlights this as “crucial for ensuring vibrant, modern, and sustainable commercial spaces.” All town councils in Tenerife can participate in the application process, which must be submitted electronically via the official site. headquarters.tenerife.es.
Mapping
The Island Master Plan for Open Commercial Zones outlines a total of 53 designated areas spread across nearly the entire island. The primary zones include the Metropolitan Area (three zones: Zona Centro and Zona Rambla, both in Santa Cruz, alongside Zona La Laguna); Northern regions (five areas located in El Sauzal, La Orotava, Los Realejos, Puerto de la Cruz, and Drago Centro in Icod de los Vinos); and the Southern regions (four zones located in Candelaria, Los Cristianos in the municipality of Arona, Guía de Isora, and Los Gigantes in Santiago del Teide).
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