Marbella Confirmed as Europe’s Second ‘Greenest’ City
The European Environment Agency has released a detailed study into those European cities at high risk of urban flooding. Marbella sits second bottom of a table of 578 cities with only 22.51% of its area ‘sealed’ by buildings, concrete or tarmac – only Sweden’s Norrkoping is ‘greener’ at 21.6%.
During heavy rainfall, cities covered with impermeable surfaces are less likely to cope with the water as it cannot quickly drain into the ground and sewage system. The EEA study highlights Paris (74.47%) Thessaloniki (87.7%) Cadiz (86.5%) Bucharest (77.9%) and Barcelona (75.8%) as some of the most at-risk cities with three quarters or more of their surface area sealed. London falls mid-table with 45.4% - far from the green dream that is Marbella.
Nick Stuart, Director of (green) Marbella-based Spanish Hot Properties, says, “This piece of research brought a smile to my face. Accusations of ‘overbuilding’ and ‘lack of planning’ have be hurled at Marbella by the media for years but the reality is the city, and much of the surrounding area, is very green – and now you don’t have to take my word for it. Take a look at satellite images from Google Maps and you’ll see plenty of parks and open space in the city centre and golf courses and mountainous countryside in the suburbs behind. Perhaps people will no longer tarnish Marbella with the brush of overbuilding on other parts of the Costas.”
The EEA also pointed out the effect of climate change and the expected increase in heat waves, both in number and in length, in some areas of Europe. Cities with a high proportion of artificial areas would see the highest temperature rises whilst those with plenty of green spaces would help to cool the urban areas. Climate change is manifesting itself differently across the continent, precipitation has increased in the north but decreased in the south, but most projections show that both trends will continue throughout this century.
On the Market in Marbella - Meisho Hills
Tucked into the pine-clad hills framing the town of Marbella, Meisho Hills is peerless on the Costa del Sol. The apartment-villas fuse the aesthetic architecture of the Orient with the appetite for everything contemporary and only the finest materials from natural stone to wood and marble are used. The two, three and four bedroom homes, all en-suite, range from an ample 350m² to a considerable 850m² in floor space and all come with private swimming pools, lifts, garaging for two to three cars, wine cellars and of course individual rooftop Zen Gardens for peace and energy. Every convenience is afforded with underfloor heating, air-conditioning, Italian designed kitchens with Miele appliances and Jacuzzi tubs in each bathroom.
Meisho Hills doesn’t start and finish with outstanding apartment-villas, there is also an array of community facilities for leisure and pleasure. Two illuminated outdoor pools with feature beaches and changing rooms as well as three Spa areas equipped with gymnasium, heated indoor pool, sauna and Turkish bath are all on hand, enclosed in stunning gardens, whilst the entire community is overseen by 24-hour gated security.
Prices at Meisho Hills start from 1,085,000 euros (approx 925,000 GBP).
Contact Spanish Hot Properties on UK 00 44 207 558 8355 or telephone Spain 00 34 952 864 382, email enquiries@spanishhotproperties.co.uk or visit www.spanishhotproperties.co.uk
for further press information or photography please contact Sarah Drane
on sarah@purplecakefactory.com or call 00 34 607 564 726
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