The Coastal Trail (Senda Litoral) of Málaga Province is a project led by the Provincial Council with the collaboration of the 14 coastal municipalities, the coastal communities, the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development of the Andalusian Regional Government and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment through the Department of Coasts and the Maritime Environment. This project provides connectivity from Manilva to Nerja along the entire coast, covering about 180 kilometres. Around 80% of Málaga’s coastline is already passable (as of mid-July 2017), through multiple infrastructure schemes. Therefore, the pending assignments correspond to the remaining 20%. This is a
challenging long-term project that will take five years to implement, since it involves the more complicated coastal sections. The work, which is already underway in many of the 167 sections, will connect existing parts of the trail (boardwalks, lanes and paths) and build new links in coordination with the other competent institutions.
NOTE: The data mentioned here are always estimates taken from studies and projects, taking into account that the Coastal Trail is planned jointly with all the institutions involved and is currently being executed. Therefore, the data as finally implemented may differ.
FINALISED
Documents
Diputación de Málaga, “¿Qué es la Senda Litoral?”
http://www.sendalitoral.es/es/6199/
© IMAGE SOURCE: http://www.sendalitoral.es/es/
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Societal challenges
Climate change / Food security / Water security / Disaster risk / Human health / Economic and social development CRITERIA
1. NbS effectively address societal challenges
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
1.1 The most pressing societal challenges for rights holders and beneficiaries are prioritised
The intervention is mainly driven by economic development; nevertheless, it will also generate social development.
In any case, the references to public places and the restoration of natural areas are also highlighted in the project, as it is mainly focused on making the area more attractive for tourism. .
1.2 The societal challenges
addressed are clearly understood and documented
Only tourism is documented in detail.
1.3 Human well-being outcomes arising from the NbS are identified, benchmarked and periodically assessed
There are specific references to the enjoyment of natural and cultural heritage as a contribution to human well-being. However, there is no explicit information on this point.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Design at scale
City-wide / District / Urban acupuncture CRITERIA
2. Design of NbS is informed by scale
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
2.1 Design of NbS recognises and responds to the interactions between the economy, society and ecosystems
There is a reference to these interactions in the definition of the goals of the project: increasing connectivity, improving tourist attractiveness, improving the economic development of the area, showcasing heritage, enhancing the area’s environmental value and providing an opportunity to create an area for leisure and sports.
2.2 Design of NbS is integrated with other complementary interventions and seeks synergies across sectors
Synergies are identified considering the high requirements of the project in terms of involving different authorities and key stakeholders from different sectors and for different variables (natural and cultural heritage, tourism, economic development, etc.). In this respect projects and programmes of different scales and governance levels must be assessed. One example of these synergies is the sister project, the Great Málaga Path (GSM) 2.3 Design of NbS incorporates risk
identification and risk management beyond the intervention site
The only risks that are mentioned in detail are the ones related to connectivity, in terms of engineering the different parts of the trail to provide continuity between them.
© IMAGE SOURCE: http://www.sendalitoral.es/es/
New bridge over Guadalhorce river. Part of the Senda Litoral project in the province of Málaga.
Biodiversity net-gain
CRITERIA
3. NbS result in net gain to biodiversity and ecosystem integrity
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
3.1 NbS actions directly respond to evidence-based assessment of the current state of the ecosystem and prevailing drivers of degradation and loss
Biodiversity is addressed in the project, which details the various species and links them to the main hazards that have an impact on them (overexploitation of fishing grounds, uncontrolled dumping and mass tourism). The climate driver is also included.
3.2 Clear and measurable biodiversity conservation outcomes are identified, benchmarked and periodically assessed
No evidence found during the evaluation.
3.3 Monitoring includes periodic assessments of unintended adverse consequences for nature arising from the NbS
No evidence found during the evaluation.
3.4 Opportunities to enhance ecosystem integrity and connectivity are identified and incorporated into the NbS strategy
This opportunity is clearly related to the improvement of connectivity between the different parts of the trail. The main goal is to create a tourist attraction that promotes the Costa del Sol as a single resource. This can also have positive impacts in terms of biodiversity.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Economic feasibility
CRITERIA
4. NbS are economically viable
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
4.1 The direct and indirect benefits and costs associated with the NbS, who pays and who benefits, are identified and documented
Yes, an economic study specifies the costs and benefits, in particular:
– Boosting sustainable tourism;
– Showcasing the coastal environment and providing access to public spaces.
This project will allow people to access areas of beaches and public land in the maritime domain, as well as to travel along the coast to see up close areas of great natural value that mark out our municipalities and add huge appeal to this Coastal Trail. Examples include the Cantales de La Araña, the Rock of the Raven, Punta Chullera in Manilva, the Dunes of Artola, the delta of the River Vélez, the mouth of the Guadalhorce or the rocky stretch between Calahonda and Calaburras, in Mijas.
– Value of historical resources: The opening of the Coastal Trail will allow you to see the 42 beacon towers along the Málaga coast, or the Phoenician sites of Vélez Málaga.
4.2 A cost-effectiveness study is provided to support the choice of NbS including the likely impact of any relevant regulations and subsidies
Yes, an in-depth economic study has been undertaken.
A study carried out by the Planning and Development Company (SOPDE) for the Provincial Council indicates that this project will have an economic impact of more than 40 million euros (24 million will be generated by managing the trail for tourism and another 16 million will result from its construction) and it may support around 400 jobs per year. Of these, around 270 will be created and maintained annually for tourism activities and for operating the trail, while some 130 will be created for five years to carry out the works needed to complete the project.
The economic effects of the final commissioning of the Coastal Trail are based on four main factors:
– changing the activities of tourists, who will include their tour as a part of their holiday;
– increasing the average length of stay because of this new attraction;
– capturing new visitors; and
– the economic effects for the construction industry and associated businesses.
The study also takes into account the multiplier effect, i.e. the set of increases that will occur in the province’s income as a result of an external increase in consumption and investment.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Inclusive governance
CRITERIA
5. NbS are based on inclusive, transparent and empowering governance processes
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
5.1 A defined and fully agreed upon feedback and grievance resolution mechanism is available to all stakeholders before an NbS intervention can be initiated
The Coastal Trail of Málaga Province is a project led by the Provincial Council that has the collaboration of the 14 coastal municipalities, the coastal communities, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development of the Andalusian Regional Government and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment through the Department of Coasts and Maritime Environment.
5.2 Participation is based on mutual respect and equality, regardless of gender, age or social status, and upholds the right of Indigenous Peoples to Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)
Participation takes into consideration the effects of green areas of high ecological value on the municipalities that the Coastal Trail crosses by.
5.3 Stakeholders who are directly and indirectly affected by the NbS have been identified and involved in all processes of the NbS intervention
No evidence found during the evaluation.
5.4 Decision-making processes document and respond to the rights and interests of all participating and affected stakeholders
No information available or accessible in English.
5.5 Where the scale of the NbS extends beyond jurisdictional boundaries, mechanisms are established to enable joint decision making by the stakeholders in those jurisdictions affected by the NbS
It is conceived as a green infrastructure scheme that connects many sites of high ecological value along the coastline. Thus, touring the coast will allow people to see up close areas of great natural value that mark out the municipalities in Málaga province and add huge appeal to this Coastal Trail. Examples include the Cantales de La Araña, the Rock of the Raven, Punta Chullera in Manilva, the Dunes of Artola, the delta of the River Vélez, the mouth of the Guadalhorce or the rocky stretch between Calahonda and Calaburras, in Mijas.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Balance trade-offs
CRITERIA
6. NbS equitably balance trade-offs between achievement of their primary goal(s) and the continued provision of multiple benefits
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
6.1 The potential costs and benefits of associated trade-offs of the NbS intervention are explicitly acknowledged and inform safeguards and any appropriate corrective actions
No evidence found during the evaluation.
6.2 The rights to, usage of and access to land and resources, along with the responsibilities of different stakeholders are acknowledged and respected
No evidence found during the evaluation.
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
4.3 The effectiveness of the NbS design is justified against available alternative solutions, taking into account any associated externalities
No evidence found during the evaluation.
4.4 NbS design considers a portfolio of resourcing options such as market-based, public sector, voluntary commitments and actions to support regulatory compliance
No evidence found during the evaluation.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Adaptive management
CRITERIA
7. NbS are managed adaptively, based on evidence
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
7.1 An NbS strategy is established and used as a basis for regular monitoring and evaluation of the intervention
No evidence found during the evaluation.
7.2 A monitoring and evaluation plan is developed and implemented throughout the intervention lifecycle
No evidence found during the evaluation.
7.3 A framework for iterative learning that enables adaptive management is applied throughout the intervention lifecycle
No evidence found during the evaluation.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Mainstreaming
CRITERIA
8. NbS are sustainable and mainstreamed within an appropriate jurisdictional context
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
8.1 NbS design, implementation and lessons learnt are shared to trigger transformative change
The Coastal Trail will in itself be an important tourist resource because it can really be travelled between Nerja and Manilva along the coast, and this opens up alternative marketing and business opportunities for our entrepreneurs, hotels and hospitality, sports and active tourism businesses.
It is a sister project of the Great Málaga Path (Gran Senda de Málaga – GSM), the circular route through the province along roads and trails, which has already become a national landmark for active tourism. Some of its sections will be shared with the Coastal Trail (such as stage 1 of the GSM, Málaga to Rincón de la Victoria, or stage 30, Estepona to Marbella).
In addition, the Coastal Trail will help to promote the Costa del Sol as a single product that covers the entire coast of the province, from east to west, since there is often talk of the Eastern and Western Costa del Sol, but this distinction must be only geographical because the brand belongs to our entire province.
8.2 NbS inform and enhance facilitating policy and regulation frameworks to support their uptake and mainstreaming
No evidence found during the evaluation.
8.3 Where relevant, NbS contribute to national and global targets for human well-being, climate change, biodiversity and human rights, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
No explicit evidence found during the evaluation.
6.3 Established safeguards are periodically reviewed to ensure that mutually agreed trade-off limits are respected and do not destabilise the entire NbS
No evidence found during the evaluation.