Arta in Transition: Old-town Renovation Nearly Complete — Opportunity with Pitfalls

Arta in the final stretch: more space for people — but at what cost?

Since 2022 the historic core of Arta has felt like one big construction site: the constant clack of paving stones, the muffled tones of excavators in the early morning hours and in the afternoons the distant peal of the church bells, now competing with noise and dust. With almost €1.7 million the municipality has relaid large parts from Carrer Major to the Plaça de l’Església, replaced pipes and redesigned public spaces. By the end of 2025 the worst of the work should be done (see Artà in the Home Stretch: Asphalt Scent, New Pipes — and the Question Who Will Pay the Follow-up Bill).

What the measures bring — and what is less visible

At first glance the result looks good: new sewage and drinking water pipes, fewer puddles after rain and a clearer separation of pedestrian and vehicular areas. LED street lighting makes nights brighter and more energy-efficient, and the green islands offer welcome shade in summer. For many cafés and small shops this means less through-traffic and nicer outdoor seating — the tables can finally breathe again.

But beneath the new paving stones lie questions rarely spoken aloud. Was enough thought given to how shops will be supplied? How will the needs of older residents with reduced mobility be ensured? (See WHO age-friendly cities and environments.) And who will cover the long-term maintenance costs for the new infrastructure once European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding for urban development or municipal subsidies are exhausted?

The quiet conflicts: logistics, parking, exemptions

In recent months it has often been the delivery vehicles that caused daily frustration — especially in the mornings between 7 and 9 when bakeries and grocery stores need deliveries. Some streets have been declared residential zones; new rules now apply for visitors and suppliers. The town hall has announced transition periods, but much will depend on everyday practice: how strict will controls be? How straightforward are permits for tradespeople or moves?

Another frequently discussed issue concerns access for emergency vehicles (see Manual for Streets guidance on street design for emergency access). Narrower lanes and new plantings are wonderful for daily life — but they must be planned so that emergency services and garbage collection are not needlessly hindered. Such details are often unspectacular but essential building blocks of a sustainable renovation.

Less noise, but the risk of rising prices

More peace is a blessing for many residents: less engine noise, less dirt, and a higher quality of stay. But where upgrades happen, rising rents and prices often follow in the long run. For classic tourist shops this may not be a problem; for local crafts businesses and long-time residents it can quickly become tight. There is a risk of subtle displacement, as has already been observed in many places in Mallorca (for example, Palma allows the conversion of vacant offices and shops into apartments).

Concrete proposals: so the renovation can do more than just look nice

If Arta wants to avoid the renovation merely looking pretty while complicating everyday life, simple, practical measures can help:

Flexible delivery windows: Binding morning time slots for deliveries, awarded and monitored locally. This reduces chaos and gives bakeries and supermarkets planning security.

Resident parking permits & exemptions: Digital permits for residents, proof for business owners and simple special rules for tradespeople that can be activated at short notice.

Emergency and cleaning routes: Wider drive-through zones at strategic points to be kept clear when needed; regular cleaning rounds so the new paving is not overrun by weeds and dirt.

Maintenance fund: A small, earmarked fund in the municipal budget for the upkeep of pipes, lighting and paving — better to plan now than to groan later over unexpected costs.

Citizen participation: A contact point at the town hall for complaints and suggestions in the first six months after completion. Many good ideas arise on the spot, during a chat at the café.

Looking ahead: seize opportunities, avoid problems

The new old town of Arta has the potential to become a place to linger rather than just pass through. The rustle of leaves in the newly planted green islands, the scent of freshly brewed espresso on the corner and the feeling of easily crossing the street on stepped curbs — these are the small gains of a successful redesign. To keep them, pragmatism is needed now: clear rules, sensible exceptions and a plan for maintenance.

I will be back there in a few weeks, espresso in hand and without a helmet on my head — and hopefully with fewer delivery truck horns in my ears. The result can be wonderful if the municipality finishes the last meters with care and takes the people on site seriously.