The Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) has received a special mention from the National Albert Serratosa City and Territory Award for its project to improve the Port-City environment and operations of the El Molinar Port in the Port of Palma.

The award, granted by the Spanish Association of Civil Engineers and the Caminos Foundation, aims to publicise and raise awareness of city and territory projects whose design, planning and implementation contribute to the sustainable development of their surroundings.

The awards ceremony, which took place yesterday in Madrid, was attended by Antoni Ginard, the head of the Planning and Infrastructure Department, and Víctor Darder, the head of the Infrastructure Development Department.

Improvement project

Efforts to improve the port-city relationship have been focused on maintaining the character of the "little port" and integrating it into the El Molinar neighbourhood and the promenade around it by removing the fences that separated, isolated and impeded interaction between the port and local residents. In regard to operational improvements, the size of the vessels it can accommodate has been restricted, and work has been undertaken to better shelter the marina, which has also improved wave conditions at the entry to the port.

The contract to carry out the work was awarded to ACSA, Obras e Infraestructuras and provided employment for 20 people. Temporary joint venture Mc Valnera and Junquera Arquitectes managed the participatory process, overall concept and preliminary project, E3 Solinteg drew up the construction project, and TYPSA provided its technical assistance to the project managers.