Palma's Botanical Garden: Reality Check — Green Project or Multifunctional Event Park?

Palma's Botanical Garden: Reality Check — Green Project or Multifunctional Event Park?

The Key Question

Can a botanical garden that, in addition to plant collections, also allows greenhouses, aquariums, zoos and event spaces actually become a gain for Palma's quality of life — or will it devolve into a multifunctional large complex that burdens neighborhoods and blurs the ecological balance?

Critical Analysis

The city recently changed the usage rules for the planned project near Son Fusteret and in La Bonanova, as discussed in Palma plans new exhibition center in Son Ferriol: opportunities, risks and open questions. On paper it sounds tempting: greenhouse, scientific center, seed bank, auditorium. The city's approach to recent green projects is examined in Paseo Marítimo: Palma's new green oasis — but who will maintain it?. But the amendment also opens doors for aquariums, zoos and large cultural events. That changes the nature of a botanical garden.