The Mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Manuel Bermúdez, has called for increased cooperation between his municipality and La Laguna, highlighting that they function as a single city despite their administrative divisions. In statements to Radio Club Tenerife, Bermúdez stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in services and planning.
Bermúdez cited the daily movement of citizens during major events like Plenilunio in Santa Cruz or La Noche en Blanco in La Laguna as examples of how residents of both cities travel between them. According to the mayor, this reality demonstrates that cooperation between the two municipalities could be significantly greater.
The mayor acknowledged that the full potential of this connection has not yet been realized, neither from an urbanistic, political, nor economic perspective. He believes that a common strategy would improve territorial planning and the efficiency of services for a population that commutes daily between the two municipalities for various reasons.
The proposal extends beyond mere institutional coordination, suggesting deeper collaboration in services and urban planning to avoid duplication, coordinate investments, and address common issues such as mobility, parking, and public transport.
Bermúdez stated he maintains a good relationship with the Mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutierrez, and their respective government teams, which he sees as a starting point for new agreements. He emphasized that greater understanding would benefit both municipalities, as they share concerns regarding economic activity and community life.
This initiative emerges in a context of pressure on public services and mobility challenges, highlighting the need to look beyond municipal borders. The Santa Cruz mayor believes the metropolitan area already functions as a unit in daily life, and the challenge is for administrations to manage it accordingly.
