The aim of the "La Sagra" showcase is to analyse
the transport needs in the area from the local and regional
points of view.
It is expected, under the framework of the network Connected Cities, to develop
a more enriching work that allows to collect the different European experiences
from the project members.
The result should be a study showing the current situation and future expectations
and including recommendations that make easier the decision-making to design
the public transport network. These recommendation should be focused to the citizens
needs and, at the same time, to the environmental quality and sustainability
needs.
La Sagra is a triangular zone placed between the rivers Tajo and Guadarrama
(Tajo river tributary in the North) and bordering on the region of Madrid in
the north.
La Sagra does not have legal character and embraces a huge zone of 14.000 km2
belonging to the Toledo province and some villages of the region of Madrid.
The villages of this zone have been increased in triplicate during the last five years and probably their population will be triplicated again over the next five years with an accumulated effect of almost 10 from 2000 to 2010.
The main resultant problem is the significant population growth and the need of studying its effect on public services.
Nowadays, the population growth in this zone is really intense.
The town-planning projects of some municipalities of this zone are spectacular. To take an example, Seseña, with 10.000 inhabitants, is going to deliver 13.800 houses with an expected population of 40.000 persons by means of just one housing action.
Several villages of the zone experiment a similar situation, though at a lower scale: Borox, Yuncos, Illescas in the north, Bargas and Olías in the south.
This population growth causes a saturation of the local services, therefore this project intends to study its possible solutions under the regional framework.
The geographical borders of this natural zone extends from Toledo (Azucaica) to Parla (Madrid).
The surface is predominantly flat, with an altitude lower than 600 mt. above sea level.
Its economy is changing the traditional sector of agriculture, the farming and agricultural industries are decreasing, the construction industry (industrial cement and ceramics -tiles and bricks-) is strengthening and the services sector is intensively growing due to the population growth and the immersion in the economy of Madrid.
The landscape has also changed, the industrial zones along the Toledo highway -already constructed or under construction- have converted the zone in an industrial and services area.
The zone is limited in the north by the conurbation of the Madrid south, which is composed of 6 important municipalities, in the south by the city of Toledo.
There are three main axes from North to South (A4, R4 toll motorway and A42) and the new toll motorway AP41 (s-shaped) under construction will cross the zone.
Public transports are limited, consequently, its inhabitants use their private vehicles to reach the public transport of Madrid.
It will be analysed the current situation of public transport in the zone La Sagra and its foreseeable needs. This study is divided in three stages:
The final objective is to draft a report that allows us to know the current transport situation and to propose possible solutions to the mobility problems of the zone.
This second study will be undertaken from the regional point of view.
Transport situation will be analysed from the two main poles: from Toledo in the south, and from the huge networks of northern municipalities and transports of the Madrid region.
The work methodology will be almost the same. The study will be based on the following three subjects in order to optimise transport networks:
The project aim is to analyse the transport needs in the zone of La Sagra from the local and regional points of view.
It is expected, under the framework of the network Connected Cities, to develop a more enriching work that allows to collect the different European experiences from the project members.
The result should be a study showing the current situation and future expectations and including recommendations that make easier the decision-making to design the public transport network. These recommendation should be focused to the citizens needs and, at the same time, to the environmental quality and sustainability needs.
Lidia García Alises
European Programmes Manager
Federación de Municipios y Provincias de Castilla-La Mancha (FEMPCLM)
