EACS Implementation of a sustainable urban drainage chain in Belones, Cartagena

Within the framework of the EACS of the Region of Murcia and in accordance with Action Line 13 "Implementation of Nature-based Solutions", and with the intention of developing tools that allow us to raise awareness among all the social strata of the population and power, it weighs in measurable values all the benefits that Nature-Based Solutions offer us and confirms its contribution to increasing the resilience of urban areas to the effects of climate change. EACS of the Region of Murcia, and in accordance with Line of Action 13, "Implementation of Nature-based Solutions", the General Directorate of Territory and Architecture commissioned a study from the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT) on the Implementation of NbS to improve behaviour in free urban spaces when faced with episodes of rain and flooding, in the municipalities of the arco interno of the Mar Menor. The urban areas studied belong to the municipalities of San Javier, San Pedro del Pinatar, Los Alcázares, Torre Pacheco and Cartagena.

With the intention of using reference models when executing this type of solution, and providing the municipal officers and specialist staff with information on the functioning of the Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) in this geographical area, we considered the need to develop pilot actions to exemplify the behaviour of these drainage systems and verify their contribution to boosting the resilience of urban areas against the effects of climate change.

In this regard, Cartagena Town Hall is going to implement, within a set area in Los Belones, a SUDS chain that will help contribute to the sustainable management of runoff rainwater in the area, and will mitigate the effects of flooding downstream in the urban centre of Los Nietos.

EACS Lines of Action:

• LA10 Actions led by public administrations as an example and driver of innovation
• LA13 Promotion of nature-based solutions

Action in process. Once finished, the result will be published.