Territorial planning in times of crisis (2008-2022): paradigm shift and re-growth on the Coast of Alicante (Spain)

Abstract

The effects of the health crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, which overlapped with the consequences of the 2008 economic crisis, have had a major social and economic impact on the monofunctional tourist territories. Urban and tourism development has been possible on the Alicante coast thanks to environmental and urban planning regulations that permit an intense occupation of the coast and pre-coastal area. The real estate crisis gave rise to a change in paradigm, and regulatory reforms have been implemented based on the guiding principle of environmental sustainability and balanced territorial development. This study aims to evaluate whether this paradigm shift in territorial planning has translated into urban planning and has modified urban-touristic dynamics on the Alicante coast. To achieve this, we have analyzed official statistical information, municipal and regional-scale territorial planning documents and conducted interviews with stakeholders (government authorities, private sector representatives, civil society groups, and experts in territorial and tourism planning). The results reveal that the actions have not been uniform along the coast. The different responses (return to pre-pandemic conditions, that is, the continuous growth of the activity as opposed to the containment of the urban and tourist development in line with policies to ensure sustainability and climate change adaptation) reveal the existence of conflicts and tension between the different sectors and social agents.