Magaluf: Second Promenade Phase — More Than New Paving?

Magaluf: Second construction phase of the promenade starts in November — Is that enough to protect the future?

If you walk early along Platja de Magaluf, the salty wind mixes with the rattle of a moped and the sharp smell of fresh concrete. Barricade tape flutters, streetlights bear new notices, and excavators wait patiently for the starting signal. In November the second construction phase of the promenade officially begins, as reported in coverage of the second phase starting in November. The municipality of Calvià has budgeted just under €1.9 million. The key question is: Are they merely repaving — or will they create a promenade that lasts longer, is accessible to everyone and is prepared for the climate future?

What the plans say — and what is missing

On paper many things sound right: natural stone paving instead of a patchwork, replacement of water, sewage and electricity lines, modern lighting, an irrigation system using recycled water and small "palm oases" for shade. Six months of construction are planned so that everything will be open again by the next season.

But on closer inspection many points remain vague. Natural stone can be elegant, but not every stone is wheelchair- or stroller-friendly. How wide may the joints be, and which surface treatment prevents slipping after rain? Digging up old cables is correct — but how will the documentation of the new lines look so that everything does not have to be ripped up again in five years? And who will take on regular maintenance of the irrigation — the planting islands need long-term care, otherwise the palms will be little more than poles in the sand after two dry spells.

Accessibility: Small detail, big impact

Construction means noise, dust, screeching excavators in the morning. That is well known by the business owners on the Paseo, who hope for quieter works outside the season. For many residents the quality of the promenade is decided by small details: joints that are too coarse, uneven edges without ramps, makeshift detours without tactile markings. For a family with a stroller, an elderly resident with a rollator, or a delivery driver such everyday obstacles are not just inconvenient — they limit usability.

Concrete detour plans, tactile guidance lines and temporary ramps are rarely mandatory today. That has to change. Test runs with a wheelchair and stroller, anti-slip treatments and lower maximum joint widths should be checked in advance — not only after complaints.

Questions dropped from the public debate

Some aspects nearly fall out of view: Where will the removed material go — old pipes, asphalt remnants? How clean is the recycled irrigation water really, and will sensors monitor water quality? Which palm species will be chosen — invasive ones or drought-resistant native shrubs that require less care? And above all: How resilient is the promenade to storm surges and rising sea levels? Climate adaptation is often missing as a clear plan, even though it is crucial.

Another topic is transparency: €1.9 million sounds like a lot of money. How much goes into materials, how much into planning, personnel and reserves? Is there a financial buffer for surprises such as poorly documented foundations, which especially in older sections often extend construction times? Local reporting has highlighted these budget questions in more detail, see coverage of Magaluf's promenade transformation.

Pragmatic proposals — local and immediately implementable

Instead of general promises, concrete measures help. Calvià could check some points now:

- Test accessibility: Conduct test runs with strollers and wheelchairs before construction, select anti-slip coatings and define maximum joint widths.

- Transparency and communication: A realistic schedule with a buffer, a construction hotline and daily updated detour signs would give residents and businesses planning security.

- Make sustainability visible: Explain the recycled water system, install sensors to monitor water quality and use local, low-maintenance plant species.

- Maintenance fund: Reserve a small annual amount so that upkeep, rather than re-excavation, is the outcome.

- Schedule works smartly: Where possible, group noisy activities into night or weekend phases to spare the season and local businesses.

Looking ahead — critical but not pessimistic

The second phase is a real opportunity. If executed correctly, natural stone surfaces could be durable, motion sensors on lighting would save energy, and a functioning irrigation system with treated water could improve green quality. Then you could sit on a bench in the evening, feel the wind pass over the promenade, and the distant hum of construction would no longer be a nuisance but the sound of change beginning.

Will everything be finished on time? Experience advises caution: rain, material shortages or unexpected finds can cause delays. For the coastal residents it would be comforting if the municipality now not only built, but also explained how it built — with maps, maintenance plans and clear rules for aftercare. Then the promenade would be not only more beautiful, but smarter.

Anyone walking on the beach in the coming months: keep your eyes open, respect detours and occasionally say a friendly thank you to the early workers — they get up so we can later enjoy our coffee by the sea in peace.