Málaga, (EFE).- The mayor of Málaga, Francisco de la Torre, wants the city to present a new candidacy to host an International Expo, after only a few weeks ago Serbia was chosen as the venue for the event in 2027, to which the capital of the Costa del Sol also opted.
De la Torre is clear that the Malaga candidacy, focused on the sustainability of cities, is still fully valid. So his idea is to resubmit the project to qualify for the next International Expo, the one in 2032.
“The issue is not that it is still topical, it is that every day it is more urgent to talk about it. Let there be a large space where ambitious projects are studied and raised in this matter. The reasons for this continue to increase”, highlighted the mayor in statements to the media.
However, the ultimate decision to formally present the candidacy to the International Exhibition Bureau (BIE for its acronym in French) is made by the central Executive. Therefore, De la Torre will wait for the Government in Spain to agree to propose this option.
“We believe that there are very clear reasons for it to be raised again,” De la Torre pointed out. That he has recalled that this project “cannot only be for the city, but for the State”.
Malaga Expo 2027: A new sustainable urban era
This was the case on the previous occasion, when Malaga launched its candidacy for Expo 2027 under the slogan “The urban age: towards the sustainable city”. A proposal for reflection on the need to make demographic growth and urban development compatible with the protection of the environment. And the improvement of the quality of life of the residents in the cities.
Although Malaga was a finalist in the race for Expo 2027, in the end the BIE, at its general assembly on June 21, held in Paris, opted for Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and its candidacy entitled “Let’s play for humanity: sport and music for all”.
Francisco de la Torre has opened the door on Tuesday for Malaga to return to the Expo. Although he never closed it, he has said, now he has made it clear that his intention is for the city to bet again on this project and the same theme. That it is “totally aligned with what Europe and the United Nations want.”
“The reasons of utility are maintained and it would have the strength of being a well-known candidacy, which has turned out very well in votes. Although Serbia moved with more skill when it came to voting”, De la Torre remarked.
The International Exhibitions, also called specialized, are held every five years (in 2027, 2032, 2037…). And they alternate with the Universal Exhibitions, which are larger, such as the one in Seville in 1992.
The location of the plot
The Expo de Málaga was to be located in the west of the city, in the Buenavista area (Campanillas district), next to the University of Málaga, the Technological Park of Andalusia (Málaga TechPark). The airport and the Palace of Fairs, and close to municipalities such as Alhaurín de la Torre, Torremolinos and Cártama.
The plot in which it was projected has 250,000 square meters. Although the surface to be used rose to more than 830,000 with the land located to the east and west, to be used for logistics and housing.
“It is a magnificent space, well located”, De la Torre highlighted. Now studying how to make housing development in the area compatible with the maintenance of the project.
The mayor has contacted the State Land Entity (Sepes), the current owner of the Expo land, to request an exchange of the land so that the City Council develops the housing.
This exchange “in principle has not been accepted”, but from the Sepes they have said that “they want to develop what we tell them”, the mayor has indicated. EFE