Orihuela Costa is expanding chaotically, with no clear vision or proper urban planning. This comes as no surprise, given that the planning authority and politicians—based 34 kilometers away in Orihuela City—seem to view the area as nothing more than a cash cow. Despite contributing disproportionately to Orihuela’s finances, the Costa remains neglected when it comes to responsible development.
As the economy once again leans on construction to drive growth, new developments are popping up everywhere—even in dangerous locations. A prime example is Campoamor, where houses are being planned on a floodplain. You can watch an interview with Eliseo Sastre of Unidos X La Costa discussing this issue here.
But floodplains aren’t the only concern. Too many developments are built dangerously close to ravines (barrancas). Time and again, storms have washed away gardens, swimming pools, and even entire parking areas due to subsidence. Developers and authorities know the risks, yet construction continues.
Who’s Responsible?
In theory, politicians propose projects, while technicians approve or reject them based on risk. But in reality:
Thousands of properties should never have been built on flood-prone land.
Development plans must be signed off by municipal technicians—raising the question: Were the risks ignored? Were reports altered or dismissed?
The PATRICOVA flood risk assessment, introduced in 2003, failed to prevent building licenses from being issued in flood zones.
Flooding is not a new phenomenon in the Valencia region, with 23 recorded floods between 1321 and 1957—and yet, history repeats itself in 2024. Why? Because preventing construction in high-risk areas means lost revenue, and money always wins.
The Real Victims
The real losers are the homeowners, many of whom invested in their dream retirement property—only to watch their foundations erode, their homes slide into ravines, and their concerns dismissed. Who do they turn to?
The CHS (Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura), responsible for waterways?
The developers, who have long since moved on?
The Town Hall, which merely shrugs its shoulders?
There is no accountability, no empathy, no solutions—only greed. When profit takes priority over people, disaster is inevitable. And yet, the cycle continues unabated.
Image – Archive photo of property in Villamartin’s Calle Isaac Albaniz
