Vélez-Málaga has been awarded the Escoba de Platino by ATEGRUS for its innovative 'Infraestructura Azul para Ciudades Verdes' project, which optimizes park irrigation and saves water.
The municipality of Vélez-Málaga has received the prestigious Escoba de Platino, the highest distinction granted by the Asociación Técnica para la Gestión de Residuos y Medio Ambiente (ATEGRUS), for its project 'Infraestructura Azul para Ciudades Verdes' (Blue Infrastructure for Green Cities). The award recognizes the town's efforts to improve irrigation management, reduce water consumption, and enhance the sustainability of its green areas.
The ceremony took place in Madrid during the Congress of Urbanism and Environment at IFEMA, gathering administrators, entities, and environmental professionals from across Spain. Mayor Jesús Lupiáñez collected the award and stated, 'This recognition is a pride for the entire city and a support for the collective effort to move towards a more sustainable, efficient, and future-committed municipality.'
The winning project outlines a comprehensive strategy to optimize the irrigation of parks and gardens, reduce water resource use, and adapt green area management to the current climatic and regulatory context. Lupiáñez also thanked the work of the Municipal Environment Department, highlighting 'their professionalism, involvement, and constant work that make projects like this a reality.'
He added that 'innovation in public management is essential to guarantee responsible water use and the protection of our green spaces, especially in the current climate change context.'
This is not the first recognition for Vélez-Málaga in the ATEGRUS Escobas awards. The town has previously received Gold, Silver, and Platinum distinctions in past editions. With this new Platinum Broom, Vélez-Málaga strengthens its position as a reference municipality in applying innovative solutions for water management, green area improvement, and climate change adaptation.
The 'Infraestructura Azul para Ciudades Verdes' project is part of a broader initiative to integrate blue and green infrastructure, promoting efficient water use and biodiversity in urban settings. It includes smart irrigation systems that adjust watering based on weather data and soil moisture sensors, reducing water waste significantly. The city plans to expand the system to all public gardens and parks over the next two years.
The award serves as a model for other municipalities facing water scarcity and environmental challenges. The congress in Madrid provided a platform to share best practices, and Vélez-Málaga's example is expected to inspire similar projects elsewhere.
You may also like
