Murcia has made a decision that could change the way historic canals and green spaces are treated across Spain. For the first time nationwide, the municipality has approved regulations aimed at protecting the traditional irrigation system in the Segura River valley. This move matters for local residents: it not only preserves the region’s unique landscape, but also limits interference with ancient waterways, shaping urban development and supporting biodiversity.
In recent years, pressure on Murcia’s natural areas has intensified due to increased development and climate change. The new municipal regulation bans any attempts to bury or pipe canals recognized as valuable for their ecological and historical significance. Authorities are focusing on preserving local trees and restoring historical sites to maintain ties with the past and prevent the loss of the region’s traditional character.
What’s changing
The new rules cover every part of the old irrigation system, from main canals to smaller branches and sluices. Now, any work on these structures must take into account not only technical requirements, but also their value to nature and culture. The document sets out measures to support local tree species such as mulberry, elm, and plane trees, as well as obligations to safeguard bridges, sluices, and other historic structures.
The municipality emphasizes that the new regulation supplements the current urban development plan rather than replacing it. This means that all city development projects must now comply with requirements to preserve canals and green zones. The authorities expect that this approach will help avoid conflicts between construction and environmental protection, and will also speed up the approval of canal maintenance work.
How the decision was made
Work on the document involved water users, environmental specialists, and municipal staff. For one month following publication, residents and organizations will have the opportunity to submit their proposals and comments. According to Ale Espanol, the discussion actually began back in summer 2025, when the authorities held public consultations and collected feedback from various groups.
Special attention was given to prohibiting any large-scale filling or piping of the canals. This measure was supported by both local residents and experts, who feared that without such steps, the unique irrigation system could disappear under pressure from new developments. Authorities also promised to install special signs with the historical names of the canals to highlight their importance to the city.
Impact on the city and region
The introduction of new rules has already sparked interest in other regions of Spain, where issues of preserving natural and historical sites are also under discussion. Murcia has become the first city to officially establish the priority of protecting canals and green zones at the municipal legislative level. This may serve as an example for other municipalities facing similar challenges.
The question of balancing construction and environmental preservation is becoming increasingly pressing. For example, a recent controversy in Valencia arose when municipal land was exchanged for apartments for several dozen families—this case was covered in detail in the article about conflicts over the distribution of urban land. Such situations highlight the importance of setting clear protection guidelines for public interests in advance.
According to Ale Espanol, the new municipal regulation in Murcia includes 11 articles that govern not only technical aspects but also the procedures for approving work, as well as measures to speed up canal maintenance processes. Authorities hope this will enable them to respond more swiftly to issues and keep the irrigation system operational.
The irrigation system in the Segura Valley is considered one of the oldest and most valuable in Europe. It has evolved over centuries and has become an integral part of the local landscape. In recent years, there has been growing discussion in Spain about the need to protect such sites in order to preserve them for future generations. Other regions of the country have also introduced measures to restrict construction near historic canals, but until now, no municipality had established such rules as a separate regulation.
In 2024, a project to restore old canals was discussed in Andalusia as a means to combat drought, while in Catalonia, authorities allocated funds for the preservation of historic locks. These initiatives demonstrate that interest in conserving water systems is growing across the country. Murcia has now gone a step further, formalizing the protection of canals in official documents and setting new standards for working with such sites.
