Altea Urban Project: An academic approach to the transformation of a coastal Spanish touristic city based on the improvement of the public space

Abstract

The town of Altea (Alicante, Spain) has an important urban center that has historically been characterized by two contrasting situations: on one hand, the settlements located on the seaside elevations (Bellaguarda and the Renaissance Bastion) linked to the agricultural uses of the fertile valleys of the rivers Algar and els Arcs, and on the other hand the coastal developments, originally fishery, but nowadays with touristic uses on the maritime front. All these elements configure an urban nucleus that, due to its urban, architectural and landscape qualities, gives rise to one of the main tourist attractions of the region. However, the area described nowadays presents an important problem related to the use and habitability of public space, which is invaded by the presence of the private vehicle, even along the seaside, due to its touristic relevance. This article presents the results of an academic experience developed to study different possibilities of urban transformations for the municipality of Altea, taking as a project site the urban vacuum still conserved between the two situations previously described: the historical areas on the coastal elevations (Dalt) and new urban developments parallel to the seaside (Baix). This academic activity, performed by nearly 50 students from the University of Alicante, was developed in the context of the design course Urbanism 5 during the academic year 2015-16, thanks to the agreement signed between the Municipality of Altea and the University of Alicante.