The Sustainability Observatory of Spain (OCE)has issued a report about the country and has highlighted the Valencia region as the one with the most uncontrolled and most unsustainable coastal development.
Figures released by OCE indicate that during the period from 1987 to 2000 Alicante,Valencia and Castellon had a coastal occupation of 30%along a 10 kilometre coastal strip.Since that time the satellite observations show uncontrolled development has continued to a point where the region is in a very precarious position.It has caused what is deemed to be irreversible damage to many ecosystems.It has caused a visible loss of both marine and land biodiversity,as well as causing socio-economic problems.It has concentrated economic activity within a narrow band which has led to overdependence on the construction industry and the service industries.Both of these have suffered badly during the recession.
Large areas of scenic beauty and of ecological importance have disappeared from the landscapebecause of the severity of the building programmes.The OCE feels that because of low fare airlines the damage will just continue as millions of tourists pour into the area.They also feel that those who purchase a holiday home actually spend less than those who stay in hotels.They may spend only four to six weeks of the year in the region.Of course their properties might be rented for many months of the year and therefore the number of people in the economy increases greatly.There is no doubt that someone has to place a cap on development generally if only to conserve water stocks .How a country such as Spain is able to support the construction of so many swimming pools is beyond belief.
