Policies for protection of our architectural heritage and tourism promotion

Last week, we received confirmation from the President of the Provincial Council, Salvador Esteve, of the grant of 1 million Euros allocated by this government body to four projects administered by our City Council: refurbishment of the Santiago Rusiñol Library, restoration works in the building of Casino Prado, review and implementation of the Special Plan for Architectural Protection and tourist promotion of Sitges.

As you can see, all four projects are part of the lines of the Governance Plan, announced almost two years ago when we formed the new Municipal Government of Sitges. Out of those four projects, three are directly related to the restoration and protection of the architectural heritage of our town. This point has a particular importance to this Government, as was highlighted in the document of commitments we signed in June 2011.

In recent decades, Sitges suffered too many urban developments that altered, well over what was reasonable and advisable, the traditional image that has distinguished this town for generations. There were things that were not well done, wrong planning, wrong criteria and a wrong attitude by certain sectors that applied an overly expansive development lacking any concern for the environment and history. There are buildings that should have not disappeared and urban developments that were launched at the wrong time.

And that should change. For this reason, I am particularly happy that thanks to the financial support of the Provincial Council, we can review the Special Plan for Architectural Protection, which we already have initiated. This review will be the tool that will ensure that no historical buildings will be tore down, since such constructions form an urban landscape that we want to maintain, preserve and protect.

In this connection, there are two projects that will also have supplemental funding from the Provincial Government, thanks to the agreement reached with President Esteve: the refurbishment of the Santiago Rusiñol library and the building of Casino Prado. Both projects are under the umbrella of the Governance Plan and are of considerable value, both for their own execution and for their significance for a City Hall firmly committed to the protection of our architectural heritage. In this direction, we could also include the refurbishment of museums performed according to protection and conservation principles, as agreed by the City Hall and the Provincial Council in October 2011, halting the previous project that was an insult to aesthetics and history.

The fourth project that counts with the collaboration of the Provincial Council is linked, albeit indirectly, to the other three: it is boosting tourism in Sitges. If we want Sitges to keep the strength, charm and the added value that sets the town apart from other coastal tourist towns, we need to commit ourselves with the protection and safeguard of our architectural, historical and natural heritage.

Sustainable tourism, which generates economic movement and includes active cultural attractions and responsible entertainment, is bread today ... and for tomorrow. And for this reason, we are entirely committed to different projects in which we have been working from the Sitges Tourist Office.

Public hearing

Finally, friends, I'll take advantage of these lines to invite you next Wednesday 29 at 19.30 am to the Miramar Building, where I will hold a Public Hearing to evaluate the first two years of municipal legislature. You will be able to ask and share your opinion about municipal management.

Cleaner streets, a big step forward

Past week, coinciding with the beginning of the tourist season, we implemented the new Urban Cleaning Plan for Sitges. The campaign’s main goal was to improve the image of the entire municipality, especially all the busiest streets, and generate an optimum balance between services and the arrival of visitors.

The Plan is divided in two stages; the first was implemented past week and involves reinforcement of cleaning workers during weekends. The second stage will begin during the second half of June, when such reinforcement will be carried out daily. Such increase in service will include streets in the town center, the ones that receive a larger pounding from visitors and tourists, and involve the use of more workers and also more equipment (trucks, hoses, etc.).

The Plan is not only concerned with cleaner streets, but is also centered in the selective collection on shops, that will also see an increase in frequency and service. In such a way, one more person will work collecting cardboard, glass collection period will be increased by one day and there is an additional service involved in garbage disposal from garbage containers located around the town center.

Some of the above measures will be plain to see for residents and tourists, since streets will be cleaner. Other measures will not be as evident, but are equally essential to achieve the levels of cleanliness, healthiness and quality that we want in our municipality.

I’m fully aware that during our immediate past, the streets of Sitges experienced many issues related with cleanliness and their ensuing bad image. The service was not up to par during a long time, so the correction of such situation is a top priority for Government. The good work carried out by the Department of Public Roads, their determination and rigor, allowed the implementation of the new Urban Cleaning Plan.

The change in trend in public road cleanliness will be possible thanks to a debt renegotiation entered with the concession holder. Two years ago, when we entered into office, the City Hall’s outstanding debt with the concession holder totaled an astronomical sum of 9 million Euros. The agreement with concession holder, debt renegotiation to reduce debt burden and a financial policy based on a strict budgetary and spending control, all actions carried out by the current government, have produced the first results, and the increase and improvement of our cleaning service is one of those results. 

Alongside the aforementioned measures, we closed an agreement with the same concession holder that will allow residents to record payments made at the household waste recycling center on a smart card. The regular and accumulated use of such service will allow a reduction in the garbage fee.