Common front to transform Portopí into a great heritage and environmental park

PalmaSocial and environmental organizations have launched the citizen campaign Salvem Portopí with the aim of stopping the planned transformation in this area of the Port of Palma. The initiative, promoted by ARCA, GOB, Palma XXI, and Fridays For Future Mallorca, calls for a reorganization of port uses that is "logical, quick to execute, and respectful of historical heritage and the environment". The project they question includes the possible implementation of an industrial estate and a waste treatment plant in the Portopí dock. According to the organizations, this action would constitute an "environmental and landscape aggression" in a space with high historical and symbolic value for the city.

ARCA already positioned itself last week against the waste plant planned for the port of Palma, as it considers that it would directly affect the heritage value of the castle of Sant Carles, "one of the most valuable elements" of the area. The vice-president of ARCA, Àngels Fermoselles, warned that it would be "a monumental mistake".

Faced with this scenario, the collective is committed to creating a large heritage and environmental park that integrates key elements such as Sant Carles Castle, the Signal Tower, and Portopí harbor itself, with adequate landscape treatment. The objective is to highlight the origins of the Port of Palma and transform the area into a cultural hub open to the public.

The entities have also extended a hand to the Port Authority to reach a consensus that avoids, they say, "destroying heritage." In this regard, they compare the lack of protection of the Portopí tower with the treatment received by other similar elements, such as the Tower of Hercules in A Coruña, and denounce that the same recognition is not given here.

One of the most critical points of the project is the lack of available space. According to their explanations, the current free surface area at the Portopí dock is insufficient, which would force the filling of one of the docks to gain land, reducing the water surface. This operation, they warn, would have a very high economic cost and a strong environmental impact.

As an alternative, they propose that nautical repair activities be developed at the Moll Vell, taking advantage of existing spaces, and that Astilleros de Mallorca also be relocated there. Furthermore, they advocate for maintaining the current points for passenger and goods traffic, as well as promoting facilities such as a maritime museum, a sailing school, and a nautical school in this area.

The proposal also includes the recovery of a Riba promenade similar, in surface, to that of the early 20th century and the opening to the public of previously restricted spaces, especially in the Sant Carles area.

The Salvem Portopí campaign begins with the desire to gain support and, in the coming weeks, the entities plan to launch new initiatives to publicize the project and pressure for the future of this part of the port to be reviewed.