Palma is uncomfortable to live in, says survey

PALMA is becoming an increasingly “uncomfortable” city to live in and is lacking services “of a minimum quality” according to the results of a survey conducted by Gadeso. The chief complaints are dirtiness, lack of neighbourhood green zones and traffic jams.
In analysing the report, Gadeso says that Palma's challenge at the moment “is to face the near future as a humane, pleasant, city” but dirty streets and traffic jams are the chief concerns of the man in the street, as well as housing and the state of the economy. Palma residents do not just want green zones for general use, such as Bellver or the Parc de la Mar, but they also want parks near to where they live.
They want “places where they can sit quietly or watch their children or grand children at play, and it seems that this is not taken into account,” the report says.
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Streets and pavements are dirty according to survey particularly important in the outlying districts of Palma. “Green zones cannot be limited to places simply to observe, but they are also to be used and enjoyed,” the report said.
As to cleaning the streets, Gadeso said that there was a “sensation of abandon” by the city council. “Many streets and pavements are dirty, the parks are insufficient and poorly maintained.” As to traffic, the survey shows that people feel that there are too many cars on the road and there is noise pollution and too many petrol fumes, particularly at the entrances and exits to the city. So far the city council has not reacted to the report, but its ambitious plans include a major new green zone which will go from Sa Faixina, along the Paseo Mallorca to the Camino de Jesus. It is also planning a botanical garden in Es Carnatge.
But it has been criticised by failing to make better use of the area which will be freed when the railway station at the Plaza España is put underground. Instead of creating a pedestrian area, it will be opened to traffic.