La Romana submits its «Green Town» project to the European Union
15/12/2010
Currently, the town of La Romana, together with the local government of Alicante, is working in the project called ‘SEAP’ (Sustainable Energy Action Plan) in order to obtain ‘Green Town’ status, which is awarded by the European Commission. The main objective of this programme is to achieve zero energy consumption in new buildings and to reduce it by 20 % in existing ones. With the achievement of the said recognition, a series of good practices will be put into action and measures of a technological, environmental and social nature will be adopted.
The idea of sustainability is increasingly catching on in society. The proof is that some towns have started to adopt certain measures to control energy consumption and the efficient use of natural resources. The town of La Romana, located in the province of Alicante, is a remarkable example of how to blend urban growth with a philosophy of great respect for the environment.
La Romana stands out due to its management of natural resources. Its inhabitants strive to preserve its natural landscapes and properly manage the use of water and the collection of waste materials. All of these make La Romana a town deeply committed to safeguarding the environment. The town and its surroundings are filled with cattle tracks, footpaths, green areas and well-preserved natural micro-reserves with an important environmental value for the region.
Over recent years, the local authorities have wisely invested some of their budget in improving water supply networks, detecting and repairing leaks, installing water metres in public buildings and gardens, and adopting systems to recycle and reuse rainwater and greywater. Moreover, in the near future, a selective waste collection point (aka ecopark) will be built.
Energy efficiency is present in the sustainability plan of the town. For example, solar panels have been installed on the roofs of public buildings, thus generating ninety kilowatts of clean energy. The plan has also been supported by other organisations, whose hard work is contributing to make La Romana an environmentally friendly town. Among these organisations is Grupo Marjal with its housing complex Villas de La Romana, where the first “green house” has been recently inaugurated.
