Plan to floodproof park Malaga’s flood problems

Malaga Council has, via its municipal water company Emasa launched a major project to combat the recurrent flooding of industrial areas along Guadalhorce river. The authority put out for tender a project that would expand the left-bank canal of the river, and turn adjacent land into an extensive floodable park.

The project will target the final stretch from the Merino Stream to the mouth of the river. This area covers an urban catchment zone of 855 ha. This zone contains important business parks such as the Guadalhorce Industrial Estate, which is frequently flooded every year, even with moderate to heavy rain. Currently, stormwater from the left margin drains into the low-flow channel, the Las Cañas box culvert, and the existing left-bank canal via outlets at very low elevations. However, the flap valves can be submerged or clogged and leave the industrial areas without drainage until river levels fall.

Floodable parks to receive rainwater

The proposed expansion of the channel will allow it to handle flows equal to those experienced in a 50 year flood. This will divert the rainwater away the main rivercourse. One of the key features is to create a floodable park The Guadalhorce Estuary Natural Site is adjacent. This Sustainable Urban Drainage System is a green “lung”, which temporarily stores stormwater in industrial zones during storms. The system will also enhance biodiversity and provide recreational space to residents living near the protected natural site.

It is important to note that the word “you” means “you”. park It will serve three complementary purposes: Hydraulic (storing runoff), Anti-Pollution (using screen, vegetation, and sedimentation traps to treat initial flows), Recreational (extending the green networks of the estuary). The initial contract focuses on civil and hydraulic design—including slopes, connections, inlets/outlets, and treatment elements—while leaving urban and landscaping details (paths, amenities, plantings) for a later phase.

The tender for project drafting carries a base budget of €350,000 and a nine-month timeline, with bids due by March 18. The tender for project drafting has a budget of EUR350,000 and a nine-month timeline, with bids due by March 18.