An ambitious program aimed at increasing the city’s resilience to various emergencies has been launched in Valencia. Mayor María José Catalá presented a list of 55 initiatives covering a wide range of urban life — from safety to social support.
A key element is the development of a long-term plan to modernize critical infrastructure from 2026 to 2031, with 120 million euros allocated for these purposes. The project envisions not only expanding the water supply network and building new wells, but also equipping the city’s treatment plants with powerful generators. This will make Valencia the first major European city capable of independently providing itself with drinking water even in the event of large-scale emergencies.
Other measures include installing additional surveillance cameras along the Turia riverbed to monitor water levels, launching an alert system for residents in the La Torre district, and purchasing satellite phones and hybrid radios for emergency services. The authorities also plan to step up monitoring and introduce advanced early warning systems for potential floods and other natural hazards.
Water supply in the northern districts of the city will also receive additional funding — more than 3 million euros has been allocated for network upgrades. Another 2 million euros will go toward improving water quality at the Realón plant. Plans also include building new rainwater collection reservoirs in the Nazaret and Grao districts.
City services are preparing for the hot summer months: new shaded areas will be created, the number of drinking fountains with cooled water will increase, and additional climate shelters for residents will be set up.
Street safety will be strengthened by increasing the number of firefighters and police officers. Recruitment will soon be announced for 144 firefighter positions and 50 for the police. In addition, a new specialized police unit will be introduced to address issues related to personal transportation.
More than 200 new surveillance cameras will be installed in the historic center of Valencia, bringing the total to 462. A pilot project will be launched for cyclists and e-scooter users to regulate traffic on the busiest bike lanes. An innovative MovimEMT transport card, which can be linked to a bank card, will also be introduced.
The city council’s financial policy includes maintaining reduced tax rates: property tax for large families will be reduced by up to 90%, and the land value increase tax by up to 95%. Significant incentives will also remain in place for tech companies investing in the Marina district.
In the social sector, authorities promise free home assistance for those in need, an increase in the ‘child check’ to €400, and the relocation of residents from dilapidated homes known as ‘Pink Houses.’ The contract for cleaning and maintaining Turia Park will soon be updated, and a new park warden position will be introduced.
To address housing issues, a Rental Agency is being launched to boost the market for vacant apartments. The city is developing new waste management and cleanliness regulations, and preparing an updated standard to ensure public order.
