It’s odd to stand in the centre of the Turia River in Valencia. My feet don’t sink into mud but rest on grass; I’m brushed not by surging water but a gentle breeze that blows through palm and citrus trees, warmed by the southern Europe sun. Because this river is Jardín del Turia, longest urban green space in Europe, snaking for nine kilometres of intricate bridges, pine trees, ponds and fountains. It’s an unmissable example of Valencia’s drive to ‘go green’ – physically and metaphorically.
I’m visiting as the southern Spanish city sits on the cusp of its tenure as European Green Capital 2024, the first Mediterranean destination to achieve the award. It’s been honoured for its achievements in striving for carbon neutrality and an inclusive, community-minded approach to its green goals, as well as sustainable tourism – my reason for being in Spain’s third-largest city, wanting to discover more.
A city committed to change
From transport and gastronomy to the environment, Valencia is weaving eco innovation throughout
(Visit Valencia)
This river reborn as a park is a strong hint to Valencia’s pioneering approach to problem solving. Having been prone to dangerous flooding, one breach of its banks in 1957 led to the diversion of the Turia in order to protect people and property from further destruction. Such a bold step predates the 21st-century focus on climate change, and such creative thinking returns to Valencia as it takes the mantle of Green Capital.
And still, more than half a century later, a focus on the real needs of people, and their involvement in projects, underpins every initiative.
Paula Llobet, the city’s minister of tourism, innovation and international relations, says that Valencia was already looking at sustainability but 2024 offers the chance to be more ambitious as residents think about the future.
“People are so worried about climate change. In our city, we have seen it change a lot over recent years,” she tells me.
“We have temperatures that are getting really, really hot in the summer – we have to work on this as otherwise in time tourists could go to other places. We have to prepare Valencia … it is something the citizens are asking for, and what we do can then give a better quality of life.”
“Being the Green Capital is an opportunity to change how people see Valencia as a city but it must be a project of transformation in all neighbourhoods. People here must see that their quality of…
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