In an effort to mitigate flood risks along the River Guadaiza in San Pedro Alcántara, the Marbella City Council in Málaga has announced a significant ecological restoration project. This initiative aims to enhance the river's natural flow and improve its ecological connectivity, making it a crucial ecological corridor between the mountains and the coast.
Javier García, the deputy mayor of San Pedro Alcántara, emphasized that the project will cover a length of 3.44 kilometers and focuses on preserving the rich ecosystem present in the river. The restoration measures will address severe flooding issues and ecological disturbances that have affected the area.
Key actions include the creation of 469 meters of new pathways and footbridges, the improvement of 1,625 meters of existing trails, the installation of environmental information panels, and the removal of invasive species alongside the planting of native flora along the banks.
The ecological significance of the River Guadaiza is highlighted by its designation as a site of special attention within the Natura 2000 network. The project, which is expected to be awarded soon, aims to enhance the river's ecosystem, making it more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
The city council has allocated over two million euros for this initiative, supported by a grant from the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge. The project will be co-financed by more than 80 percent of Next Generation EU funds from the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan (PRTR), with an estimated completion date of December 2025.