PROVIA and TM Real Estate Group, a leading Alicante-based company in the residential tourism, hospitality and holiday property sectors, brought together institutional representatives, urban planning experts and property developers in Torrevieja for the conference “New Urban Planning Scenarios in the Valencian Community: Territorial Planning, Coastal Management and Legal Certainty”.

The event provided an opportunity to open a strategic discussion on the future territorial and urban development model of the Costa Blanca, looking ahead to 2040. In a province where residential tourism is one of the main drivers of the economy, the organisers highlighted the need for clear regulations, stable planning frameworks and sufficient legal certainty to balance economic development, environmental protection and access to housing.

The importance of this debate is underscored by the fact that residential tourism remains one of the key economic engines of Alicante province. In 2025, the sector generated more than €6.6 billion in revenue, while spending by residential tourists approached the €10 billion mark.

Pedro Soliveres, President of PROVIA, stated: “Alicante province cannot address the challenges of housing, coastal management and territorial development through improvisation or legal uncertainty. The property development sector requires planning, administrative efficiency and predictable regulatory frameworks in order to continue generating investment, employment and housing.”

Ángeles Serna, Chief Woman of TM Real Estate Group, commented: “At TM, we wanted to contribute to this forum for dialogue on the future of the Costa Blanca, a strategic territory for residential tourism and for the wider provincial economy. Having clear, efficient and sustainable regulatory frameworks is essential to promote projects that generate economic value, territorial cohesion and quality of life.”

Both speakers agreed on the importance of strengthening collaboration between public administrations, technical professionals and the private sector in order to promote an urban planning model capable of balancing environmental protection, economic activity and the growing demand for housing.

A forum to discuss the future of urban planning

The conference opened with an institutional welcome delivered by Eduardo Dolón, Mayor of Torrevieja, Pedro Soliveres, President of PROVIA, and Ángeles Serna, Chief Woman of TM Real Estate Group.

The first session, entitled “The Future of Urban Planning”, focused on the main developments relating to urban planning regulations, the forthcoming Land Law, the Territorial Strategy of the Valencian Community and ongoing administrative simplification processes.

The keynote address was delivered by Miguel Ángel Ivorra, Director General for Urban Planning, Landscape and Environmental Assessment, and was followed by contributions from technical experts and institutional representatives from the urban planning sector. Speakers highlighted the need for a more agile, coordinated and predictable regulatory framework capable of addressing current challenges related to housing, investment and territorial development. The session was moderated by Cristóbal Ruiz, Urban Planning Director at TM Real Estate Group.

The future of the Valencian coastline under discussion

The second session focused on the future of the Valencian coastline, coastal planning and legal certainty. Discussions covered issues relating to the Valencian Community Coastal Planning Strategy, the Spanish Coastal Law and the legislative amendments currently under consideration.

The keynote presentation was delivered by Marc García, Director General for Coasts, Ports and Airports. Moderated by Rafael Ballester, urban planning lawyer and PROVIA representative, the debate centred on the need to protect the coastline through a sustainable approach while ensuring investment viability and legal certainty for development projects.