Redevelopment of Pazos Fontenla Avenue

The urban development project involves the comprehensive renovation of Pazos Fontenla Street, located in the town centre of Bueu, along a stretch of approximately 1 km. The work includes the complete replacement of urban services —water supply, sewerage, public lighting and drainage network— as well as the redefinition of the road section and its operation.

The new configuration maintains a dual-lane, one-way carriageway, with a width of 3 m per lane, while ensuring pavements with a minimum width of 1.80 m. Nature-based solutions are also incorporated, such as drainage tree pits and permeable paving, in order to properly manage heavy rainfall and minimise surface runoff.

The total area of action is 15,400 m2. It is a major urban road, currently dominated by road traffic. The PO-315, which crosses this area, forms part of Galicia's Primary Complementary Network and is the main link between the municipalities of Bueu and Cangas, connecting at both ends with the PO-551, the main road linking Morrazo and the Vigo estuary.

Despite enduring high traffic intensity—functioning as both a secondary inter-municipal road and a central urban thoroughfare—the street has mixed residential and commercial use, generating diverse urban demands that require comprehensive reorganisation.

The proposal aims to transform Pazos Fontenla Street into a multifunctional urban boulevard that prioritises pedestrian mobility, boosts local activity and acts as adaptive infrastructure against the risk of flooding. The strategy is based on the integration of nature-based systems (NBS) for sustainable stormwater management, in line with the guidelines of the ideas competition for the improvement of the Banda do Río neighbourhood, which includes part of the scope of intervention.

The planned actions include:

The incorporation of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) plays a fundamental role in the efficient management of the water cycle in urban environments. These systems allow surface runoff to be laminated, reducing peaks in the conventional drainage system and promoting progressive infiltration into the ground. This minimises the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall, reduces the load on the municipal network and helps to improve water quality by promoting natural filtration processes.

In addition to their hydraulic and environmental function, SUDS provide significant benefits in terms of urban comfort. The integration of green areas, permeable pavements, permeable tree pits and rain gardens increases the presence of vegetation on public roads, promoting shade, evapotranspiration and temperature moderation during hot periods. This strategy helps to mitigate the urban heat island effect, improves the perception of well-being and liveability of the street, and reinforces the role of public space as a place for coexistence and social activity.

Together, SUDS help transform traditional grey infrastructure into green and blue infrastructure that is more resilient, efficient and capable of responding to current and future climate challenges.

Along with the implementation of SUDS, the incorporation of adapted urban trees—deciduous species with high tolerance to urban conditions—plays an essential role in microclimatic regulation and improving the urban landscape. These species provide shade in the warmer months, promote evapotranspiration and reduce the heat island effect, significantly improving thermal comfort in public spaces. In addition, their deciduous nature allows sunlight to enter during the winter, contributing to seasonal thermal balance and enhancing the environmental and aesthetic quality of the urban environment.

Mobility and accessibility

The intervention proposes the transformation of Pazos Fontenla into a structuring civic hub, conceived as a large urban promenade that acts as a climatic and social corridor. Its design seeks to create a space protected from the north winds, which prioritises active mobility and promotes local commerce, while consolidating a resilient green infrastructure integrated into the existing urban morphology. To this end, four unique platforms are planned at the intersections with Eduardo Vicenti, Rosalía de Castro, Alexandre Bóveda and Francisco Escaneo streets, as well as an additional section between Ibis and Santán streets. These platforms, together with the planned elevated pedestrian crossings, reinforce universal accessibility and act as traffic calming mechanisms, ensuring pedestrian continuity and the perception of the whole as a continuous and safe urban route.