Proposal for the Local Plan of Action - May 2006

PROPOSAL FOR THE LOCAL PLAN OF ACTION

Validation & Viability Phase
May 2006

Set out below are the proposals that have arisen in the participation sessions held by the Local Agenda 21 process and which will form part of the Local Action Plan where they have been agreed by 75% of the participants.

The underlined proposals (a total of 35) are those actions which have the support of at least 75% of the citizens taking part in Agenda 21 and these will therefore be directed to the different municipal departments in order to analyse their viability (approximate economic cost, appropriateness of the objectives, distribution to areas of competence) and thus to enable their subsequent prioritisation by the Forum.

1.XABIA MESHES WITH ITS CITIZENS

1.1 Improving the network of basic infrastructure

  • Construction of a municipal auditorium
  • Provision of Nurseries (Avda Augusta, Port, Arenal)
  • Creation of a sports zone (with swimming pool) for athletics practice
  • Opening of a Post Office in the Port
  • Construction of a Fire Station
  • Provision of fields for alternative sports (bowls, cricket, trinquet (handball), etc.)
  • Reading Rooms in the Port and Arenal

1.2 Modernising public services

  • Adjust prices, hours, transport etc. of nurseries to family circumstances and needs
  • More effective management of the issuance of licenses, permits and municipal rates.
  • Seek European and regional grants, and local grants and promote local ones.
  • Deploy a fibre optic network in parallel with the underground installation of urban services.
  • Improvement in the conditions and management of existing sports infrastructures; sufficient funds for instructors, trainers, programme of activities.
  • Guaranteeing the population access to Information & Communication Technologies (WIMAX, Internet centres….)
  • Augment the budget for the acquisition of new books for the library
  • Extend the opening hours of the Sports Pavilion (Saturdays, Sundays,and Fiestas)

1.3 Relating to the support of strategic groups

  • School Community: Substitution of prefabricated classrooms for permanent structures
  • Youth: Creation of a Youth Club (proposal: in the current Central Cinema )
  • Creation of a MUNICIPAL FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH AND SPORTS which integrates sporting and youth clubs.
  • Creation of a MUNICIPAL SOCIAL FOUNDATION to incorporate official groups of the elderly, housewives, handicapped, widows, immigrants etc.
  • School Community: Support for ´multi-sports´ for children younger than 11 (in non- competitive sports), support for school leagues
  • Youth: Provision of more training courses at the IES
  • Youth: Setting up a Youth Hostel in the Old Town
  • Youth: Setting up a “Discoteca Light” for youths of 13-19 years
  • Youth: Training workshops for young people
  • Older People: Creation of “cheque asistencial” for older people and the encouragement of participation in activities and workshops.
  • Older People: Construction of Residential homes geared towards older people.
  • Immigrants: Creation of a municipal office of information and assistance for immigrants.
  • Women: Creation of a municipal office of information and assistance for Women
  • Disabled: Program of placement for the disabled
  • Disabled: Municipal control over the fulfilment of the obligation to respect infrastructures for the disabled

1.4 Opening new Channels for Democracy

  • Fixing the last Thursday of every month, half an hour before the Plenary session, so that citizens can submit to the Mayor questions, suggestions and comments on different agenda points
  • Social and welfare centre for older people in the urban centre of the Port: with reference to existing associations (Tercera Edad, Amas de Casa, Viudas etc.).
  • Support for the Asociación de Amigos de los Minusválidos

2.XABIA MOVES TOWARDS BECOMING A PLEASANT PLACE TO LIVE

2.1. Providing alternatives to the use of the car

  • Creation of a network of “Rutas Verdes” (Green Routes) between different urban centres and urbanisations through restoration, modification, improvement and signposting of roads, paths and cycle tracks.
  • Renovation of small lanes for pedestrians and bicycles in Travesera Cansalades, Carretera Portichol and Avda del Pla.
  • Regrouping of the different Town hall departments and the inclusion of other administrations to reduce the necessity of people having to go from place to place to deal with an administrative matter.
  • Creation of a public transport network with minibuses (Town and urbanisations), with 10 minute frequency during the day and 30 minutes at night.
  • Study of peoples' requirements in order to adjust the itineraries and frequency of urban public transport.
  • Public transport route for the young people (discoteca light)
  • The provision of adequate places for bus stops for local buses
  • Plan for a transport interchange between urban and inter-urban transport (taxis, buses, etc.)
  • Inclusion of Xàbia in the itineraries of collective road transport at the inter-provincial level.
  • Creation of a school cycle route which unites :IES, Colegio Nou, Trenc D’Alba, Graüll, Vte. Tena, El Port de Xàbia and the Arenal with cycle parking facilities

2.2 Improving enjoyment of urban areas

  • Clean the environs all year round (not only when the tourists are present)
  • Creation of more green zones and public parks: Avenida Augusta, intersection Severo Ochoa – Avenida Lepanto)
  • Elimination of physical barriers
  • Waste paper bins in green zones and Avda Furs.
  • Keep heavy goods traffic out of the urban centres
  • Make adequate parking spaces available around the commercial areas with a special prices for local businesses and residents and set a system of charging by the minute and realistic pricing
  • Prohibit dogs on the beach
  • Sanction dog owners who do not collect and take away their dog’s excrement; the display of informative posters about fines; plastic bag dispensers and waste bins.
  • Renovation of the Parque del Puerto
  • Correct road signs and proper road cleaning
  • Reservation of free parking places for people who live in the Old Town: create a distinct identification for residents which allows them to park in the zone closest to their home.
  • Improve access to the fishing port of Xàbia
  • Provision of pedestrian zones in the port
  • Creation of a Boulevard in the Via Augusta (cobble stones, bicycle track, shade, games)
  • Definition of aesthetic criteria which give uniformity to urbanisations.
  • Clean with high-pressure water and disinfectant the urine of dogs from corners, bases of lamp-posts and benches to avoid infections and bad smells.
  • Repairing and cleaning the grates at the base of trees
  • Permanent cleaning of the parking zones because of the danger of infections they represent (fleas, rats, excrement, abandoned cars etc.)
  • Guidelines which regulate green zones, parks and gardens.

2.3 Increasing road safety

  • Control of motor cycles, enforcing the use of helmets
  • Supervision and signs in pedestrian ways to prevent the passage of motorcycles and bicycles which can be dangerous.
  • Prohibition of access to the Carretera de la Plana by large buses and lorries because of the danger of its curves. Alternative: Two minibuses in place of an autobus
  • Adoption of measures so that the cycle lane of the Avenida Augusta is correctly signed at the entrance and exit of the Parking area of Mercadona.

3.XABIA GROWS WITH ITS OWN CLEAR IDENTITY

3.1 Protecting and activating its Cultural Heritage

  • Creation of an Archivo Histórico Municipal, with adequate staff and funds
  • Reconsideration of the usefulness and purpose of the Museo de Soler Blasco, Casa de Cable, Central Cinema, Casa de Tena, Capilla de Santa Ana etc.
  • Creation of a FUNDACIÓN MUNICIPAL DE CULTURA which integrates the Patronato del Museo Soler Blasco, Patronato de Música y danza, Escuela de Pintura and those cultural and educational institutions existing in the Municipality.
  • Creation of a catalogue of “Bienes de relevencia local”, objects as well as buildings, natural as well as historical
  • Encouragement of artistic and literary study, investigation and creation though grants, prizes and assistance
  • Permanent installation with municipal funds of contemporary art from the Segarra legacy and works of Soler Blasco
  • Creation of a Municipal Cultural Restoration Centre
  • Modernisation, reconditioning and capitalisation of the “Casa de les Mezquides” for social and cultural use.

3.2 Conserving the Landscape

  • Protection of the non-urbanisable agricultural land: compensation for the affected proprietors and signposting a network of lanes which connect the different protected areas.
  • Respect the ecological corridors which were established by the PORN (DOGV 8/11/2002) to prevent the Parque Natural del Montgó turning into an island.
  • Protection of the entire coastline as a LIC or whichever legal formulation is possible.
  • Cleaning and reconditioning of rural lanes.
  • Regenerating agricultural country areas with workshops on ecological farming for the general public

4. XABIA MAKES A COMMITMENT ON ITS SURROUNDINGS

4.1 Reducing the consumption of natural resources

  • WATER: Creation of necessary infrastructure to use purified discharge from the sewage works to irrigate agricultural fields, public gardens and golf courses
  • ENERGY: Incorporation of measures in the Municipal plan to encourage the use of renewable energy and systems of passive air conditioning (increase the gradient of roofs to more than 30 degrees which is when thermovoltaic cells are at their most effective, as opposed to the anticipated between 12 and 25 degrees of the current General Plan.)
  • ENERGY: Establishment of obligatory measures for the installation of solar panels in Municipal buildings and optionally (via subventions or discounts on local taxes) for private citizens and businesses.
  • ENERGY: Anticipate the use of clean energy for municipal vehicles: electricity, biodiesel

4.2 Reducing environmental impact

  • Construction of a compost plant to get rid of garden waste
  • Check that different urban developments fulfil the requirements in relation to connection to supply networks and sewerage system
  • To establish in the PGOU that new urbanisations include an adequate space to place rubbish and recycling bins
  • The closure, sealing and restoration of the “Ramblars” landfill site.
  • Construction of a rubbish sorting and recycling plant
  • Construction of a transfer plant for inert waste.
  • Plan of reforestation of different zones and renovation for public enjoyment adapted to the diverse zones (Granadella, Montgó etc)
  • Development and implementation of a plan to reduce light pollution
  • Approval of local bye-laws to regulate the management of garden waste.
  • Study of Containerisation (RSU containers): adequate positioning, quantity and accessibility, labelled with the type of waste to be disposed of. etc.
  • Imposition of sanctions (fines) on individuals or companies which do not dispose of rubbish correctly.
  • Development and implementation of a Municipal acoustic plan (map of noise, regulatory bye laws etc.)

4.3 Educating for sustainability

  • Campaign for waste recycling
  • Campaigns of environmental education aimed at the general public
  • Creation of an aula de Interpretación del Parque Natural del Montgó
  • Creation of a Botanic Garden
  • Construction and management of a Environmental study centre
  • Creation of an Environmental Task force
  • Creation of a centre for the environmental education of companies: minimisation and reduction of waste

5. XABIA GENERATES QUALITY EMPLOYMENT

5.1 Defining a consensual model of tourism

  • Cultural promotion through congresses, exhibitions, events, museums, uniqueness of the historic/artistic and rural surroundings etc., as an efficient means of tourist promotion.
  • Introduction of tourist attractions such as exhibitions, conferences and concerts.
  • Design a system of measuring user satisfaction suitable for tourists (using hotels and letting agencies) and for second homes (using community associations)
  • Carry out a study to determine which services are necessary for quality tourism
  • Publish a brochure of cultural activities in the district
  • Fairs, fiestas, and gastronomy festivals based on regional produce (including local fish)
  • The promotion of local products as a tourist attraction : identify differentiating aspects, show the process of production.
  • Re-orientate fishing activities as a tourist attraction: Fish market open to visitors with fish tasting in the same location.

5.2 Relying on good professionals

  • Trials on farmland for vocational courses specialising in gardening
  • Training in ecological cultivation

5.3 Committing to competitive economic sectors

  • Reserve a space in the weekly market for local farm produce with special license prices
  • For the small builders of Xàbia : Formation, technical support and grants to create an offer or “mark of quality” in the refurbishment of houses with “traditional or old” techniques and materials.
  • Promotion of regional dishes in restaurants (e.g. “Coques de Xàbia” )
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