San Javier Town Council has announced plans to create new shaded seating areas in La Manga del Mar Menor, aiming to make the area more liveable during the sweltering summer months. The scheme will focus on land around the municipal sports centre and several other underused plots across the urban area.

The project includes installing pergolas, planting additional trees and laying specially designed paving to reduce heat build-up. The council hopes the measures will help tackle the urban heat island effect, where built-up areas retain heat and record higher temperatures than surrounding countryside.

La Manga experiences intense pressure during the summer tourist season, and the council says there is growing demand from residents and visitors for outdoor spaces that remain usable in extreme heat. Officials believe the improvements will also enhance the overall appearance of neglected sites.

The work will be funded through the European Union’s Next Generation EU programme as part of the Territorial Plan for Sustainable Tourism in the Region of Murcia. The long-term goal is to create more attractive, climate-resilient public spaces that can be enjoyed throughout the year.