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Answer from Granada

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3. OPINIONS ABOUT THE RESULTS OF THE INICIATIVES.

Note: statements extracted from the local daily newspaper, Diario Ideal, of 23 july 2001.

Those responsible for some of the models:
  • Sr. Moratalla (city mayor) speaking at a meeting in Brussels with technicians of the European Union, showed his satisfaction for the high grade of execution of both programmes (the Urban Pilot Project and the Plan Elvira-Gomerez) showing himself to be decidedly in favour of the recuperation and revitalisation of the historic centre of the city. He explained that these are not projects in isolation, rather connected to one another.
  • Sr. Ruiz Dávila (Adviser in Urban Planning) at the same meeting emphasised that the local council did not see these activities as a method of increasing the population within the city rather than in satellite towns outside, but as an influence of economic development and a dynamic element in encouraging tourism.

The inhabitants of the area:

  • D. Andrés Martínez Molina, 61, was one of the first to solicit aid from the European Union for the rehabilitation of ancient buildings, and, today, his house is one where the ancient aspects have been retained, with many traditional features, while the renovations have made the house fit for human occupation, and very comfortable for those who live in it. Since his experience, many others have followed his example, but there are those who do not believe that the council will give anything for nothing, and still others who think that the government should renovate their homes without their having to give anything in return.

D. Andrés sees everything very clearly. "This area could be renovated and maintained as it is. All it needs is close collaboration between the council and the owner. I made the sacrifice and here is the result. Everyone else could do the same, thus avoiding the degradation of the area which could eventually lead to its disappearance".

 

Note: Margaret Craig interviewed a very small cross-section of the population of the Albaycín, asking them what they felt about the renovations going on, and how they affected them. These are the responses.

 

  • María, 70

Born in the Albaycín, and still living in the same house.

"I was born here, I live here, and I hope to die here. It's a really beautiful place. Of course there are changes… Can you tell me somewhere where there aren't? You have to move with the times. I've seen a lot - good and bad. Now I love to go up and down in the microbus, although at times there are too many tourists".

  • Carlos, 38

Was born in the Albaycín and lives in the same house.

"It's a fantastic place to live. It has the advantage of being very close to a big city, with everything you need, at the same time away from all the noise and pollution. I don't feel in any danger moving around here".

  • Joaquín, 34

Lives in the Albaycín, and studies it as a sociologist.

"There have been many changes, which have been good for the area, but they take a long time to implement. This is normal in an old zone with very narrow streets, little more than paths, where access is difficult for builders' trucks and materials. Traditionally, the owners were simple, poor people, and young people, who, with little financial power were able to rent houses in very poor condition very cheaply. This has changed as the yuppies and foreigners have bought at relatively high prices and moved in. They change the houses because they want to have all the modern conveniences, at times with little respect for the ambience. There is a lot of robbery and burglary. There is a gang of Algerians who tend to steal from other Arabs. I don't feel threatened living here".

  • Marie-Carmen, 32

Was born in the abbey in Sacromonte where her father worked. Later on, the family moved to the Cuesta de Chapiz. She now lives in a village about 20 minutes drive from Granada

"No-body could live there (in the Albaycín) now. It's completely changed. You need a special pass just to drive up to your own house. It's full of Arabs. What a pity! They have robbed us of our very own home".