Benchmark Study 1

IPP 1st BENCHMARK REPORT
Rail network. There are high-speed train links that connect Valencia with Barcelona and Madrid. The
high-speed AVE train line has already begun that link Valencia with Madrid and Cuenca.
Maritim traffic. The region plays an important role in maritime traffic as well, there are 5 main ports
and 33 regional ports. Valencia’s port ranks first in Spain in terms of container traffic apart from
being among the top ten European ports and top fifty world ports in container handling.
Traffic volume in Valencia’s port has, yet again, beaten the all time record, both in terms of total
figures and of container traffic. In 2008, 59.74 million tons were handled, and 76.13 millions
tons in Comunidad Valenciana. Finally, the Port of Valencia has noticeably increased its activity
as a destination for cruise ships, too.
Valencia Port Authority has plans to enlarge the installations of Sagunto’s Port to the south,
build a new basin and protected docks. This project, added to the creation of the new north
access to the port of Valencia, namely the Superport project, will provide a joint Valencia-
Sagunto platform.
Another major port is the Port of Castellón, strategically located in the maximum activity area of
the province, and serving – among other – ceramics industry, the most important sector of the
Castellón area.
Further important ports in the region are the ports of Gandía, Denia and Alicante.
Air traffic of the region is rapidly increasing. There are 3 international airports: Castellón, Valencia
and Alicante. Valencia airport host 5,767,468 passengers, the Alicante airport records 9,562,068
passengers. The commercial airport traffic in the Comunidad Valenciana was 19,292.38 tons,
including a significant level of international traffic from European Union countries, most of the
passengers coming from the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France (5,767,468 passengers in
2008). Even the Alicante airport plays an important role in receiving tourists (9,562,068 passengers
in 2008). The commercial airport traffic in the Comunidad Valenciana was 19,292.38 tons in 2008.
6.-Level of Territory Governance
Valencia region is NUTS II level region and is an administrative region. This means that it has their own
elected Parliament, Constitution and budget, with wide competences. There are 3 provinces and 542
municipalities.
7.-Territory & Environment
In the last ten years, Protected Areas have been increased by 300% with 22 natural parks and three
protected natural marines, that have unique species of Mediterranean flora and fauna. Valencia Region
has a total of 39 LICs (Sites of Community Importance); spaces that can be grouped in four sections:
mountain sectors, wet zones, riverbanks and seashores.
The Integral Waste Management Plan is the basic tool for planning, controlling, coordinating and
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