Impact and legacy

The PICI has been decisive in significantly reducing the risk of flooding in the city. Since its completion, episodes of intense rain such as those in 2007 or 2017 have been able to be managed effectively thanks to the new drainage system. Experts such as Javier Machí), dean of the College of Civil, Canal and Port Engineers in the Valencian Community, have described the plan as an “engineering boast” and a national benchmark.

The works had extensive participation from professionals and institutions, including the University of Alicante and the Polytechnic University of Valencia, and were possible thanks to citizen cooperation at a particularly complicated time, with open streets and affected commerce.

The plan has also served as a model of urban resilience in the face of climate change, and as an example of effective intervention in cities with complex terrain and high urban density. Despite the fact that many of the infrastructures built are underground and go unnoticed, the engineers involved have highlighted the pride of having contributed to such a profound and effective transformation.[1]​[4]​.

Currently, the city has more than a hundred sensors in collectors and 24 rain gauges interconnected in real time with emergency services. The progressive separation of sewage and stormwater networks and the mathematical modeling of the urban drainage system reinforce Alicante's capacity to face episodes of intense rain.[2]​.

• - Waters of Alicante.

Main actions

The actions included in the plan were:[1][3]​.

• - Construction of 13.6 km of gravity collectors with diameters between 400 and 2,500 mm.

• - Channeling of ravines such as Juncaret-Orgegia and Las Ovejas.

• - Construction of large collectors in Vía Parque "Vía Parque (Alicante)"), El Pla and Playa de San Juan "Playa de San Juan (Alicante)"), with specific solutions for areas with high risk due to being below sea level.

• - Installation of spillways and drainage systems in critical points of the city.

• - Creation of complementary infrastructures such as the San Gabriel storm tank (60,000 m³) and the La Marjal flood park (45,000 m³).

• - Technically complex works such as the work on the Rambla de Méndez Núñez, where it was necessary to hire specialist miners to pass collectors under heritage elements.

In addition, specific actions were carried out such as the Canalejas spillway and the drainage of the southern entrance to Alicante.[2]​.

Impact and legacy

The PICI has been decisive in significantly reducing the risk of flooding in the city. Since its completion, episodes of intense rain such as those in 2007 or 2017 have been able to be managed effectively thanks to the new drainage system. Experts such as Javier Machí), dean of the College of Civil, Canal and Port Engineers in the Valencian Community, have described the plan as an “engineering boast” and a national benchmark.

The works had extensive participation from professionals and institutions, including the University of Alicante and the Polytechnic University of Valencia, and were possible thanks to citizen cooperation at a particularly complicated time, with open streets and affected commerce.

The plan has also served as a model of urban resilience in the face of climate change, and as an example of effective intervention in cities with complex terrain and high urban density. Despite the fact that many of the infrastructures built are underground and go unnoticed, the engineers involved have highlighted the pride of having contributed to such a profound and effective transformation.[1]​[4]​.

Currently, the city has more than a hundred sensors in collectors and 24 rain gauges interconnected in real time with emergency services. The progressive separation of sewage and stormwater networks and the mathematical modeling of the urban drainage system reinforce Alicante's capacity to face episodes of intense rain.[2]​.

• - Waters of Alicante.