The municipality of Alcanar on the Catalan coast has launched a large-scale campaign to assess and subsequently demolish residential houses located in areas prone to regular flooding. Local authorities have announced plans to buy out properties from owners whose homes are in dangerous zones, with demolition of the buildings set to begin within the coming year. This decision is a response to a series of natural disasters that have struck the town in recent years.
Over the past seven years, Alcanar has experienced five major natural disasters, each causing significant damage to infrastructure and private property. The floods in 2021 and 2023 were particularly severe, when torrential rains virtually paralyzed life in the coastal areas, with water entering homes and destroying roads. Residents of Alcanar Platja have repeatedly faced threats to their lives and property, with the aftermath of these disasters felt long after the waters receded.
Action plan
The city authorities, together with the Catalan government and the Water Resources Agency, have signed an agreement to begin restoration and “renaturalization” of the Llop stream bed (barranco del Llop). The main goal is to create new engineering structures to reduce the risk of similar disasters in the future and ensure the safety of local residents. The project includes not only reinforcing riverbanks and building canals, but also clearing the area of residential buildings that fall within the risk zone.
The purchase of homes will be carried out in agreement with the owners; however, if owners refuse, compulsory measures are possible. Representatives of the Catalonia government emphasize that dialogue with residents remains a priority, but if necessary, authorities are prepared to act decisively. In the coming months, specialists will assess property values, after which the process of finalizing agreements and preparing for demolition will begin.
Residents’ reaction
Many residents of Alcanar view the situation with anxiety and fatigue. In recent years, they have repeatedly faced the consequences of devastating storms, and the prospect of leaving their homes brings mixed feelings. Some hope for fair compensation and a chance to start anew in a safer place, while others worry the process will drag on or lack transparency.
The mayor of the city, Joan Roig, who will soon step down due to health reasons, reminded everyone that climate change has already become a reality for Alcanar. According to him, the city can no longer afford to ignore the threat, and only decisive action will help protect people and their property from future disasters.
The future of the city
Major construction work on new hydraulic structures is scheduled to begin by the end of 2027 on the site of the former residential neighborhoods. Authorities expect that these measures will not only reduce the risk of flooding but also restore the city’s sense of security about the future. However, many difficult decisions and tough negotiations with residents who will have to leave their familiar way of life still lie ahead.
In Alcanar, there is hope that the experiences of recent years will serve as a lesson for other coastal cities in Catalonia, where climate change and extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent. Authorities emphasize that public safety is the top priority and are prepared to take unpopular measures for the sake of the city’s future.
