Ciudades Turísticas y Desarrollo Sustentable: Benidorm, España - Cancún, México

Abstract

El objetivo de este trabajo fue comparar dos ciudades turísticas consideradas como íconos dentro de los estudios del turismo. En México, Cancún fue el ejemplo de la ciudad planificada para ser ciudad turística, hoy con más de un millón de habitantes, un 80% vive en la pobreza, que ha formado un cinturón alrededor de la ciudad y que se expresa en violencia, drogas, y todo tipo de conflictos sociales en este “paraíso tropical”. En España, Benidorm, creada también de forma planificada unos pocos años antes, hoy es igual que Cancún un destino exitoso, pero la diferencia es mayúscula en cuanto al modelo que se tomó en consideración y los resultados obtenidos; no se formó el cinturón de pobres marginales como amenaza, sino que la gente vive en sus pueblos cercanos y muchos de los que ayudaron a construir volvieron a sus tierras. Esta diferencia nos muestra dos modelos de ciudades turísticas donde la sustentabilidad es asumida, en un caso, como un discurso hueco y sus resultados son evidentes: Cancún. En el caso de Benidorm, los planificadores fueron menos ambiciosos y si bien es una ciudad de turismo masivo de clase media, las medidas tomadas han incidido en lograr un equilibrio dentro de las normas que regulan la economía de mercado, acercándose mucho a la sustentabilidad.

Keeping mass tourism destinations sustainable via urban design: The case of Benidorm

“…Source: authors' own elaboration based on Benidorm Townhall (2016); Benidorm Townhall (2017); Jiménez & Joyanes (2013); Mancuso (1980); Spanish Government (1956); Spanish Statistics Institute (2018a); Vera (1987) and Zaragoza (1955) T A B L E 1 A comparison of the approved regulations for the maximum building height, the maximum volumetric building potential, and the minimum setback of buildings in the masterplan of 1956; the modifications of 1956 masterplan approved in 1958, 1963, 1974, 1977 and 1984; and, the Government, 1956). Although sustainability criteria were not considered and implemented as such in the early Benidorm urban plans, the decisions made on the subsequent urban developments have contributed to the creation of an innovative city design which supports the sustainable development of the mass-tourism industry in the European Mediterranean Arc (Arnaiz Burne & César Arnaiz, 2017;Gaviria, 1977;Iribas, 1997Iribas, , 2005Iribas, , 2007Mazón, 2010;Mazón et al, 2012;Vera & Ivars, 2003). The original Benidorm's masterplan has evolved considerably from its inception (Martín-Serrano Rodríguez, 2003).…”

“…Conversely, vibrant, complex and enjoyable spaces have been created between buildings and beautiful sea views can be relished from within the city. Nowadays, Benidorm's urban planning is considered one of the most sustainable forward-looking city designs for the development of tourist activity in the Mediterranean coast (Arnaiz Burne & César Arnaiz, 2017;Mazón, 2010). Encouraging vertical urban growth by building skyscrapers surrounded by open spaces in certain stretches of the coast has been recognized as an efficient land occupation strategy (Martí, Nolasco-Cirugeda, & Serrano-Estrada, 2018).…”

Smart age-friendly city in the context of seasonal migration of senior residents. The case of Benidorm

“…Despite recognizing Benidorm as a sustainable example of urban development in the context of a tourist town on the Mediterranean coast (Arnaiz Burne & César Arnaiz, 2017;Mazón, 2010), Benidorm's urban plan has been criticized in recent decades. This is mainly due to the contrast between the skyscrapers, emerging from afar as a massive barrier, and the natural coastal landscapes.…”

“…An important element attracting the above-mentioned social groups is the climate, access to public spaces, including beaches, a high-quality seaside promenade, a diverse offer of services, service functions on the ground floor, which contribute to the extension of outdoor activities, social and medical care (McHugh & Mings, 1994), as well as mainly high-rise residential buildings due to the lack of restrictions on the height of the buildings, hence many apartments have windows facing the sea, giving the possibility of contact with the surroundings without leaving the place of residence. Assuming that the buildings are equipped with elevators, from the point of view of the needs of older people, they provide the possibility of better daylight illumination of the rooms, which is extremely important for people staying in apartments for a long time, and a better view of the city (in the case of Benidorm, many buildings have windows facing the sea), this additionally increases the area of the immediate vicinity of the building for public spaces serving the integration of residents, which by some researchers has been considered an effective land management strategy in the city (Ciriquián et al, 2018), yet criticized by certain others (Arnaiz Burne & César Arnaiz, 2017;Mazón, 2010).…”