Somos FCC - Nº5

What has been the evolution of the city of Almeria in recent years? The foundations have been laid for a very defined project, led by the city itself and positioning its immediate future to be a capital more prepared in infrastructures, more structured around its neighbourhoods, more participative and transparent in mu- nicipal management, more commer- cial and with more employment and less taxes. From the municipal management we have been wagering on being a refe- rence at all levels, not only adminis- trative, but also cultural and commer- cial. Because of the indispensable collaboration with other administra- tions, I believe that the foundations have been laid for a city project that will give rise to more opportunities for people, more investment and more employment. The projects that have been promo- ted and that are beginning to mate- rialise are many and quite different, but all have a common denominator: the improvement of the structure of the city and its modernization. One of these projects worth mentioning is the removal of the El Puche level crossing, the first project involving the burial of railway tracks in Almería; the extension of the Paseo Marítimo; the urbanisation of the Sierra Alha- milla road; the rehabilitation of the railway station for its use and trans- fer to the city; the construction of a new library and the revamping of the Plaza Vieja and the areas adjacent to the Alcazaba and San Cristóbal for the enhancement of one of the city’s most important heritage sites. Moreover, if we talk about structural projects, we have to put the accent on the Port City project, undoubtedly the greatest challenge facing the city in the coming years. I would also like to highlight, the pro- motion of the first-rate commercial projects that the city will have at its disposal in just one year, such as the new shopping centres in Torrecár- denas and the northern part of the Rambla, with the Swedish company IKEA as the main exponent. These projects will create more than 2,000 direct jobs. As a representative of the public administration, what advantages would you highlight from pu- blic-private partnerships in the management of these types of services? It is important to highlight the role played by Aqualia in the city’s recent history and to mention, in this res- pect, the magnificent work carried out with regard to the supply of water, a basic ad precious necessity parti- cularly in Almería. I also believe that the necessary trust that is established between the company and the administration is I N T E R V I E W Juan José Alonso Municipal Services Councillor of the Almería City Council also fundamental, especially with re- gard to a resource such as water and in the face of the challenge in which both parties are working, which is none other than that there is never a lack of water and that it arrives with the highest quality, always providing the best of services. It is important to strengthen this in- terrelationship in order to continue improving the management of water services and resources, always thin- king of the citizen as the ultimate re- cipient of the service. A wish for the next 25 years.... To continue to witness the evolution and development of our city in terms of sustainability, modernity and job creation. With regard to the use of water, we must bear in mind that we are dealing with a natural resource that must be managed with the maxi- mum guarantees, making efficient and sustainable use of it, as well as the resources used for this purpose. The goal must be to continue to offer a quality service, guaranteeing the supply of water under the best con- ditions and providing access to it to all citizens. C O M M U N I T I E S 57 C O M M U N I T I E S