Research
grant. Ciutat de Palma Prize, 2016.
It consists on a study of the urbanisation and the buildings of the seaside promenade of Palma (Mallorca), comprising the area between Portopí and el Molinar. The aim of the project is to historically establish the phases of the creation of the promenade, to point out and analyse the most important buildings and to determine the relevance of the promenade from a two point perspective, so to say, considering its relevancy in terms of urban planning of the town and its usefulness for locals and visitors.
The Mediterranean Sea has been a key element for the evolution of the city, from romans to 19th–century travellers up to mass-tourism boom in the 1960s. The most important change of the seaside façade of Palma was the creation of its promenade. All started in 1939 with a contest and from then on, it grew during decades from the west to the east reclaiming land from the sea. At the same time, brand new buildings have been constructed. They coexist with ancient religious and military buildings and, at the same time, representing the arrival of architectural modernity. Apart from this significance for construction and as most as seaside promenades, the one of Palma plays a main role in the image of the city.
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| Aerial view of Palma's bay. Source: Google Maps. |
Given the relevance of Palma
in worldwide tourist routes, it is important to do research on one of its main avenues from a global perspective taking into account both history and
architecture. In addition, the knowing of this infrastructure and its equipment
can be helpful to decide the future of the promenade and which are the most
suitable options to adapt it to 21st–century social, environmental
and economic challenges.
