The urban renewal of Las Teresitas Beach set out a strategy to reorganize the uses all along the capital’s coast providing it with features and services which boost its role as the recreational area of the capital of the island of Tenerife. To do so it was necessary to propose substantial modifications to the urban planning regulations applicable at that time, along with expanding the scope of the planning that the competition was proposing. In connection with transportation, restricting access to the seafront with private vehicles was considered together with not allowing traffic along the front of San Andrés resolving it with a breakwater and artificial pools that act as intertidal ponds. To this effect, a system of tunnels was designed leaving from the Oceanographic Institute connecting with roads to Taganana and Igueste de San Andrés, placing two dissuasive car parks for the beach visitors. Therefore the visitors could only access the beach on a footpath or public transport. Furthermore, eliminating any hotel buildings on the seafront was considered and a sports park was designed all along the beach (presently with an asphalt surface) and round the back of San Andrés’ Rock. This park joined together the entire water front from the Oceanographic Institute as far as La Punta de los Órganos, and allowed for commercial premises for the whole length at pedestrian level. With this ample offer of sports and leisure facilities the idea was to promote use all year round of the beach. From an economic and functional point of view, the idea of preserving the beachfront so as not to wear out the charm of the area and maximize its business potential was a major commercial objective within the planning. To promote the place for new visitors, a piece was designed to be attached to San Andrés Rock, whose use as an interactive museum representing the diversity of the characteristic biology and landscape of the Macaronesia. On the eastern end of the beach a big intertidal pool was planned to give the area a peaceful atmosphere. Surrounding this creation with wáter, you could find a building with a gym and a thalassotherapy centre on one side and an outdoor auditorium on the other. Finally, a fishing shelter and an Insular Sea Sport centre were projected on the new area that was reclaimed from the sea, at the entrance to San Andrés.
TECHNICAL DATA. Location: Las Teresitas Beach, San Andrés, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Architects: Antonio Corona Bosch, Arsenio Pérez Amaral, Eustaquio Martínez García. Client: Santa Cruz de Tenerife Town Council. (Tender by invitation). Collaborators: Miguel Berreo (Model Maker).
