Among the partner countries of the CARISMED project, Spain is one of those with a remarkable set of initiatives and sustainability efforts at the level of environmental governance.
In 2013, the country made energy certification of buildings compulsory, which allowed for a more accurate monitoring of facilities used for residential or commercial and professional purposes, revealing that almost all of them had a poor classification in terms of emissions. For this reason, as of 2021, all new residential buildings must be NZEB (Nearly Zero-Energy Building, i.e. energy-saving and low environmental impact). Overall, the census of buildings in Spain reflects a diversity of types and conditions and a growing awareness of the importance of energy efficiency, accessibility and reuse of buildings.
The case studies examined in CARISMED include not only energy efficiency measures but also social and cultural impacts.
The Cuartel de Artillería in Cartagena is a former military complex now used as an exhibition and event venue. The renovation of Pavilions 1 and 2 led to the creation of a new space offering residents and tourists over 5,400 square metres for culture and artistic creation. The Cuartel underwent extensive renovation, which included reinforcing the structures and creating spacious rooms. The façades were restored preserving the original materials, ornamental elements, and maintaining the structure and placement of doors and windows. The balconies and balustrades were repaired and made accessible. A green area was created around the building where recharging stations for electric vehicles were also installed, thus promoting energy efficiency and environmental sustainability not only of the complex, but also of the surrounding urban area. The intervention was financed partly with European funds, partly with local government funds, as part of the Murcia Region’s sustainable urban development strategies.
Another building of historical importance, now recovered and reused, is the Cárcel Vieja, the former provincial prison of Murcia. The project involving it is still in progress and includes, on the one hand, the redevelopment of the main building, which will be transformed into a multifunctional space for social, cultural and recreational activities; on the other hand, the creation of an outdoor garden, new pedestrian accesses and a bicycle path. Currently, an exhibition hall, a conference room and a space for celebrating historical memory have been completed. The initiative is part of the urban regeneration strategies promoted by the Ayuntamiento de Murcia.
