Rethinking Portixol: More Green, Fewer Parking Spaces — But at What Cost?

More green, fewer cars — and a lot of uncertainty: Portixol faces change

Yesterday morning the first designs for a major redesign of Portixol harbor were presented. In the visualizations everything looks friendly: benches in the shade, palm-like silhouettes, walkers holding hands along the pier. The concrete message is clear: opening of a previously closed area of around 4,300 square meters, additionally about 5,500 square meters of new green space, a pedestrian zone on Carrer de la Sirena, a walkable canopy along the pier and an underground parking garage instead of above-ground parking spaces.

Central question: Who pays and who bears the consequences?

That's the guiding question being passed around between sea breeze and the smell of coffee at the harbor: who really benefits from the project — and what costs only appear later? Authorities presented design goals but not concrete schedules or budget figures. That raises skepticism: residents mutter 'pretty rendering', business owners worry about delivery logistics and parking fees. The city talks about increased quality of life; reality could mean six years of construction noise and delivery bottlenecks if the project is not planned in phases.

An underground parking garage sounds elegant because it relieves the waterfront promenade of car traffic. In practice, an excavation project on the coast brings technical and ecological challenges: groundwater, corrosive saltwater, ventilation and drainage systems, and vibrations affecting existing buildings. Such factors quickly drive up costs and timelines — and that's what has been missing in the visualizations so far.

What is missing from the public debate

Between photos of benches and shady spots there are topics that often get lost: local ecology, maintenance costs of the new green areas, barrier-free access for older residents and people with mobility impairments, or the perspective of fishermen and boat owners whose berths could be affected. Also species protection (bird breeding seasons, coastal vegetation) and the question of how to deal with heavy rainfall have been hardly discussed so far.

Another, easily overlooked point is maintenance: new trees need watering and pruning, perennials need care plans — that costs staff and money. Who will pay the long-term maintenance costs? If city budgets are cut, there is a risk that the spaces will become overgrown or be executed with poor-quality materials.

Concrete proposals so Portixol doesn't just look good

The project has potential if implemented smartly. Suggestions from everyday harbor life that should be included in the planning:

1. Phased implementation: Carry out works in sections so that cafés, boat harbors and residents are not completely cut off for months. Temporary loading zones and replacement parking along the Rambla during construction help stabilize businesses.

2. Publish technical feasibility study early: Disclose reports on groundwater, corrosion, ventilation and cost caps — that builds trust and prevents later surprises.

3. Sustainable planting and irrigation: Choose Mediterranean, drought-tolerant species, allow rainwater infiltration and plan subtle drip irrigation so maintenance costs remain low.

4. Neighborhood participation: Regular information evenings at the harbor (not just digital PDFs) and a local advisory board with café operators, boat owners, older residents and young people — audible and binding.

5. Transparent financing: Disclose public funds, possible EU grants and private partners; link tenders to local employment requirements.

A look ahead — with realistic optimism

Portixol has the chance to transform from an 'auto belt' waterfront zone into a lively, shaded harbor neighborhood. If Carrer de la Sirena really becomes a pedestrian zone, you might soon hear the rustle of palm leaves again instead of engines — the pigeons coo, coffee cups clink, and older neighbors have shady benches. But for that you need not only pretty renderings but binding timelines, an honest cost breakdown and the involvement of the people who live and work here.

In short: the vision is there. The question is whether its implementation will be as sustainable, fair and well-crafted as the pictures shown to us yesterday. Anyone who wants to have a say should attend the public information sessions in the coming months and ask for the feasibility studies — because at the harbor it will be decided whether Portixol only looks nicer or really becomes better.