THE PORT OF VIGO OPENS A NEW SUSTAINABLE AND ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC SPACE TO THE CITY NEAR AREALONGA BEACH

• The chairman of the Port Authority of Vigo, Carlos Botana, visited the completed works this morning together with local residents.

• The project has created an open 875 m² square that prioritises pedestrian use and removes visual barriers to the sea.

• The project, which involved an investment of 290,000 euros, stands out for its commitment to sustainability, the circular economy, solar energy, awareness-raising and environmental sensitivity.

The Port Authority of Vigo has completed the works on the new Arealonga square, a project that has completely transformed the space once occupied by a restaurant into a new meeting place open to all citizens.

The chairman of the institution, Carlos Botana, visited the completed works this morning accompanied by local residents, coinciding with the opening of this renovated site. As he recalled, the project was carried out in dialogue with residents and aims to care for "the Port of the details".

The project, carried out over an area of approximately 875 m², has recovered a new public space for residents and visitors to enjoy. The works — designed by OTIMA S.L. and carried out by ARINES OBRAS Y PROYECTOS, S.L. — represent a profound change in the relationship between this port site and the public, prioritising pedestrian use over vehicle traffic and committing to a safer, more accessible and sustainable urban model, which thus adds to the improvements also carried out by the Port of Vigo on the other side of Arealonga beach.

A space open to the sea, free of barriers

The new design reverses the traditional traffic hierarchy, giving priority to pedestrians through a single-level platform that allows shared use and helps reduce vehicle speed.

One of the main milestones of the project was the demolition of the former "Arealonga" restaurant, which removed a physical and visual barrier that for years had limited the connection with the seafront, restoring the views and enhancing the landscape and heritage of the surrounding area.

As a result, the area is now conceived as an open, flexible and multi-purpose square, ready to host neighbourhood activities, social gatherings and areas for rest and contemplation of the sea, from where visitors can enjoy the Ría de Vigo and Arealonga beach.

To achieve this, safety and accessibility were key criteria. The removal of architectural barriers and improved lighting make this area more comfortable and safer for all users.

Sustainability and circular economy

Sustainability is another key pillar of the project. To this end, a new lighting system has been installed featuring LED fixtures powered by solar energy, thanks to integrated photovoltaic panels and smart management systems that optimise energy consumption.

Construction solutions that favour the circular economy have also been used, incorporating recycled materials into key elements such as the concrete steps and benches. The project is completed with the addition of green areas, sustainable drainage systems and new urban furniture that improve the environmental and scenic quality of the area. Among its most striking features are the yellow chairs, echoing the buoys and pile "caps" of the neighbouring marina, which also stay cool in the sun, alongside signs bearing the words "Nothing is as much mine as the sea is when I look at it", by Elías Andino, and the information panel "A balcony onto nature", which includes a guide to the native species that inhabit the Port. As Botana himself reiterated, "we continue to champion the Port of the details in every project we carry out".

In terms of landscaping, an olive tree stands out as the distinctive, representative feature of the area, alongside perimeter trees that humanise and naturalise the space.

With this project, in which the Port of Vigo has invested a total of 290,000 euros (VAT included), the institution chaired by Carlos Botana reaffirms its commitment to port-city integration and to creating quality public spaces that improve people's lives and strengthen the relationship between citizens and their coastline.