The Cartagena City Council has taken a key step to Expanding the UCAM campus in the Los Dolores neighborhoodby granting the first building permits necessary to physically launch the university's growth plan. These are the first tangible steps in a far-reaching project that aims to strengthen the municipality's university offerings and reshape the surrounding urban environment.
These authorizations begin the construction phase of an expansion that aims to consolidate Cartagena as a hub for education and research in the Region of Murcia. The city council frames this move within a broader strategy of economic, social and educational revitalization, in which the expansion of UCAM is combined with public investments in infrastructure and mobility.
First licenses for the expansion of the UCAM campus
The Cartagena city council has granted two initial urban planning licenses linked to the UCAM campus expansion project in the city. These licenses allow the construction of a building for faculty and another for maintenance services within the Los Dolores university campus.
Both properties represent a joint investment of 2.231.268 euros and together they have an approximate built area of Sqm 1.222With this, the university will begin to have new spaces for teaching staff and technical services, considered essential to sustain the planned academic and organizational growth.
The mayor of Cartagena, Noelia Arroyo, has emphasized that this administrative step represents "the first tangible step" in a plan that will not only expand the facilities at Los Doloresbut it will also strengthen the educational opportunities available to young people in the municipality. According to the City Council, these initial works mark the visible beginning of a project that aims to transform the role of the campus in the city.
From the university, the president of UCAM, MarĆa Dolores GarcĆa Mascarell has insisted that the goal is for Cartagena to become a true capital of education and research., offering students the necessary tools to develop their academic and professional career without leaving the area.
A growth plan with a total investment of around 50 million
The licenses granted fall within a university expansion plan that includes a total investment of nearly 50 million eurosThis growth program includes the modernization of buildings, the creation of new infrastructure, and the adaptation of spaces for teaching, research, and university services.
The project pursues To strengthen UCAM's capacity in Cartagena to offer more degree programs, attract students, and enhance research teams linked to strategic sectors. Although the initial work focuses on faculty facilities and maintenance, the plan envisions a more profound transformation of the campus in the coming years.
The university presents this growth as a long-term commitment to consolidating its presence in the cityIn coordination with the City Council and other local entities, the goal is for the Los Dolores campus to cease being a mere isolated academic space and become more closely integrated into the social and economic life of Cartagena.
In this context, the expansion plan is not limited to adding square meters, but also incorporates criteria of functionality, sustainability and adaptation to new teaching methodologies, in order to respond to the current demands of students and teachers.
Declaration of Special Interest to expedite procedures
One of the most outstanding elements of the project is that It has been declared of Special Interest by the Cartagena City CouncilThis administrative mechanism allows for prioritizing its processing within the local administration and streamlining both urban planning licenses and the necessary sectoral reports.
According to the city council, This qualification is not a mere formality.Rather, it's a tool designed to reduce the bottlenecks that typically slow down large-scale initiatives. In practice, this translates into faster technical approvals and a more phased approach to the various stages of the expansion.
The mayor has argued that, with this decision, The City Council shows its willingness to work "hand in hand" with those who generate wealth and opportunities in CartagenaThe expansion of UCAM is thus understood as a driving project, with the capacity to revitalize other areas linked to employment, local commerce and services.
The designation of Special Interest also facilitates coordination between the various municipal departments involved in urban planning, mobility and public servicesThis is relevant when future phases of construction are planned and a greater influx of students and staff to the campus area is anticipated.
Social, economic and urban impact in Los Dolores and surrounding neighborhoods
The Cartagena City Council believes that The expansion of the UCAM campus will have a far-reaching social and urban impact on the Los Dolores neighborhood. and in its area of āāinfluence. The expected increase in university students and staff will translate, according to municipal forecasts, into more activity in shops, restaurants and services.
The city council emphasizes that The presence of more students living in nearby neighborhoods will enhance neighborhood lifeThis is due to increased local consumption and demand for rental housing. This dynamic, they argue, can help revitalize residential areas and attract new businesses geared towards the university population.
In addition to the economic impact, the local administration emphasizes the potential social impact of a larger and more active campus, both in terms of participation in cultural and sporting activities, as well as in volunteer programs and community projects that UCAM has already been developing in collaboration with the City Council.
In terms of urban planning, the expansion project is accompanied by Public works aimed at improving access and mobility in the Los Dolores area, with the idea of āābetter integrating the campus into the city's fabric and facilitating the daily commutes of students, residents and workers.
Institutional collaboration and recent joint projects
The campus expansion is part of a stage of strengthened collaboration between the Cartagena City Council and UCAMBoth institutions have recently signed a framework agreement that lays the foundation for developing joint projects in areas such as volunteering, sustainability and international cooperation.
Among the initiatives launched in recent months, the city council and the university highlight the program "Walking Football"Developed in conjunction with the Municipal Observatory of Physical Activity, this activity aims to promote physical exercise and socialization among specific groups, integrating university experience with the social reality of the city.
UCAM has also had a Active participation in local events focused on employment and inclusion, such as the ITINERE 2026 youth employment fair or the ICUE Mini-Olympics, focused on sport and integration. These collaborations are seen as examples of the role a growing campus can play in the social revitalization of the municipality.
From an institutional point of view, both the City Council and the university agree that The expansion of the campus and joint projects allow for a closer relationship between the academic community and the public., reinforcing Cartagena's image as a university city open to innovation.
Public improvements in access, transport and sustainable mobility
In parallel with the private project to expand UCAM, The City Council has launched several public investments in the area surrounding the Los Dolores campus, in order to adapt the infrastructure to the new needs arising from university growth.
Among these actions, the following stand out: the construction of a new bike lane This improves the neighborhood's connection to other parts of the city, promoting sustainable transportation for students and residents. This measure complements the city's commitment to mobility that is less dependent on private vehicles.
Work has also been done on the adaptation of the roundabout accessing the campusThe aim is to improve traffic flow and provide a safer and smoother entrance to the university campus. This intervention is especially relevant given the anticipated increase in visitors as the facilities continue to expand.
The City Council has also promoted the modernization of public transport stops in the surrounding areaThe aim is to improve the user experience and facilitate the use of city buses as an alternative to car travel. The goal is to create an accessibility model that accommodates the campus's growth without overloading the road network.
Taken together, these public improvements seek Aligning university expansion with a more connected, accessible, and sustainable urban modelso that the increased activity on campus is integrated in an orderly manner into the daily life of the surrounding neighborhoods.
The combination of the expansion of the UCAM campus, the planned overall investment of around 50 million euros, the declaration of Special Interest and the municipal actions in infrastructure and mobility outlines This scenario reinforces Cartagena's profile as a university city and its commitment to educational development to boost the local economy.The start of the teaching and maintenance works in Los Dolores therefore represents much more than two new buildings: it marks the visible beginning of a joint strategy to link academic growth, urban revitalization and new opportunities for the young population.