“The Muelle Ciudad development project, in addition to a physical transformation of this space, also symbolizes an evolution in the way citizens will relate to their port”. With these words, the president of the Autoridad Portuaria de la Bahía de Cádiz, Teófila Martínez, explained -during a visit to the worksite where she was accompanied by the city’s mayor, Bruno García- what the first phase of the construction project for the Muelle Ciudad waterfront means for both the port and the city, within the process of integrating this space into the capital.
“We want to open the port to the city, generate new spaces for coexistence, but also for economic activity and enjoyment, and to do so with sustainability, accessibility and respect for the environment and maritime activity,” highlighted the president, who recalled that “the port of the Bahía de Cádiz will continue to be a port and will also be a city.” The mayor of Cádiz, Bruno García, stated that «this project represents much more than an urban development action, as it will mean opening the city to the sea, turning a port space into a meeting place, and making the port’s economic activity compatible with a friendly and sustainable public use». Bruno García added that in addition to that use, this integration will also generate «direct and indirect employment and attract new opportunities for the city».
As explained on-site by Eloy Saiz, head of the Departamento de Infraestructuras y Obras II of the Autoridad Portuaria de la Bahía de Cádiz, the complete project covers an area of 22,500 m², comprising the entire area adjacent to the Muelle Ciudad and the connection area with the Junta de Andalucía’s catamaran terminal at the beginning of the Muelle Reina Victoria. In this space, a pedestrian area will be created for citizens to enjoy, with views towards the large cruise ship berths, and a strip will be reserved for the future tram platform that will run parallel to the current bike lane. Between both areas, there will be a green strip with gardens and trees that will serve as an acoustic buffer against the traffic from the Avenida del Puerto.
First phase
As explained in situ, there will be an area near the dock, 25 meters wide, which will be reserved for passenger transit due to the international code for the protection of ships and port facilities (PBIP), also known as ISPS, its acronym in English. The berthing area, in any case, will be visible since the enclosure separating it from the reserved space will be glazed, and accessible during those times when events open to the general public are held and there are no cruise ships docked.
Given that, until the current container terminal is relocated to its new location, the fiscal precinct of the port of Cádiz must be maintained and, consequently, the passage of heavy vehicles through the area, the execution of the project has been planned in two phases. In this first phase, which began in early October, work will be carried out on an approximate area of 14,000 square meters, corresponding to a 38-meter-wide strip parallel to the Muelle Ciudad, which features large open spaces, walking and rest areas, garden areas, a children’s play area, walk-through fountains, exhibition areas, and areas reserved primarily for restaurant modules.
It includes the layout of the general service networks for the entire area.
At the beginning of this promenade, next to the new square created at the end of the Muelle Ciudad near the Plaza de Sevilla, the installation of a hospitality module with an outdoor terrace is planned to serve as a catalyst for the area and must comply with the conditions established in the applicable urban planning regulations. A second hospitality module is planned next to the Muelle Ciudad Cruise Passenger Terminal, intended to become a reception space for cruise passengers directly connected to the city’s historic center.
The landscaped areas will feature a wide variety of plant species, shrubs, and trees, and some of their linear arrangements serve as differentiating and protective elements for different spaces, such as between the promenade area and the future tram platform, or between it and the bike lane. In addition to serving as an acoustic buffer against the traffic from the Avenida del Puerto, it will absorb the irregular level difference existing along the route between the platform and the pedestrian walkway.
Vegetation will be distributed along the entire pedestrian walkway, with a higher concentration in the green areas of the central zone, arranged as islands on both sides of the Puerta del Mar (though with a greater presence opposite the Jardines de Canalejas). In the shade of the various tree species, rest areas with benches will be arranged, allowing both enjoyment of the surroundings and observation of the activity at the Muelle Ciudad, designated for large cruise ships, through the glass enclosure. Between the central green islands and the enclosure delimiting the Port Maneuvering Zone, a discontinuous children’s playground will be located for the play of young children.
Parking Area
The Puerta del Mar, preserved as a historical landmark, will become the main access to the development on the Muelle Ciudad. In front of it, there will be a space, conceived as an extension of the Plaza de San Juan de Dios, presided over by two walkable fountains, with the possibility of installing outdoor exhibitions about the history of the Port of Cádiz next to them.
Furthermore, on the other side of the cruise terminal and near the connection area with the Muelle Alfonso XIII, an area will be arranged for the parking of buses serving the cruise ships. Vehicular access to this area is planned from the Avenida del Puerto, although, until the container terminal is relocated to its new location and the subsequent development of Phase 2 takes place, this access will be from the existing internal lane for vehicle traffic. This area can be used as a multi-purpose space when not occupied by buses, being suitable for hosting occasional medium-sized events.
The choice of materials (granite cobblestone pavements, corten steel, etc.) evokes the history and connection with Latin America and the port use traditionally developed on this wharf, as well as some of the plant species considered (Banyan Fig, Orchid Tree, Ombu, Jacaranda, Palm Tree, European Fan Palm, Lantana, Bougainvillea, Night-blooming Jasmine…).
The second phase will include the integration of the road network, which is currently maintained for traffic with the current container terminal at the Reina Sofía dock, and the development of the connection of the first phase with the Reina Victoria dock, incorporating the Junta de Andalucía’s catamaran terminal into the new space.
