Malaga has returned from a lengthy break to resume its ambitions, with Expo plans dominating debates. Paris remains in focus, though Expo events have faced notable upset and uncertainty. Belgrade, as the Serbian capital, edged ahead of Costa del Sol in a competitive selection, with the United States and Minnesota cited as serious contenders. Phuket and San Carlos de Bariloche were also part of the extended shortlist, while the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) continues to oversee the process to ensure fair development and adherence to international standards.
Missing this opportunity would mean a loss of more than three million euros in planning and promotion costs for Málaga City Council, with funding shared among the Junta de Andalucía, the Diputación, and regional government partners. The city faces an investment tally exceeding 2,000 million euros when considering the enclosure and the broader Expo-related infrastructure that remains largely unresolved in current discussions.
Economic impact forecasts, compiled by Andalusia Economic Analysts, projected a robust visitor flow, with an average of 4.6 million visitors to Malaga in 2021 and roughly 11 million visits expected at the Expo venue itself. These figures suggest substantial engagement and dwell time on the grounds, signaling high activity across pavilions and related facilities. [Citation: Andalusia Economic Analysts]
With such expected visitor numbers and projected per-person spending ranging from 50 to 60 euros within pavilion spaces, the Expo’s economic footprint could approach 3,000 million euros, representing about 8.1% of the provincial GDP in 2019. While spending forecasts carry weight, they also hinge on successful delivery and ongoing momentum post-event. Mayor Francisco de la Torre stressed the intent to preserve Expo’s lasting legacy beyond the ceremony that will conclude in September 2027 in the city.
The council is preparing for a post-fair phase while maintaining momentum in the lead-up to the fair, as the mayor explained to this newspaper shortly after the BIE members’ decision and the tense press conference at the Spanish Embassy in Paris.
The future of space
In response to the question, “What next after the decision?” De la Torre envisions continuing the development of the land allocated to pavilion use, estimated at more than 25 hectares, with a field area likely to require expansion reaching about 927 million euros to accommodate future needs. The part set aside could be dedicated to the University of Málaga (UMA), forming an ecosystem that links innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaborations with the Malaga Technology Park to create synergy with ongoing activity.
The plan envisions the area serving as a teaching and innovation hub focused on environmental sustainability, coordinated with UMA and potentially other universities that show interest. Similar to the proposal dossiers, the aim is to design a space with lasting purpose that invites ongoing dialogue about its configuration and use.
Endangered infrastructures
Beyond the venue, the City Council intends to avoid a defeat that leaves the field underutilized. Several infrastructure projects are planned in conjunction with Expo goals to advance the city’s sustainability and competitiveness.
Expo Málaga 2027 would guide the city toward sustainable leadership through citizen-focused initiatives and environmental protection measures. The plan includes improvements to communications and transportation to integrate the city with a productive triangle that stretches from Málaga to the Andalusian Technology Park, the University of Málaga, nearby business parks, the regional airport, and the Fair and Congress Center.
Key investments include approximately 50 million euros for the Malaga distributor route, 31 million euros for expanding the distribution network along roads such as A-7054 and the A-357, and 20 million euros for mobility enhancements around Teatinos and Carlinda. A fourth link to PTA from the A-7058 is planned with a four-million-euro budget. Mobility and public transport improvements total around five to 135 million euros for various corridor, stop, and parking projects.
The Coastal Plan aims to reduce east-west traffic and connect the Hotel Miramar with Guadalmedina, addressing macro projects that De la Torre hoped to advance with international support. The Expo remains in scope with a budget of 301 million euros for new parking facilities related to the city and the Melilla area, alongside improvements around Sea Square and related infrastructure.
Equally, Málaga Auditorium is valued at 93 million euros, the Fair and Congress Palace extension at 110 million euros, and an urban integration project for the Guadalmedina river with a long-term funding plan around 200 million euros is highlighted. Infrastructure for the Guadalhorce river corridor would bring in a smaller budget of eight million euros, with several housing and transit initiatives contemplated along the pavilion route.
Plans also include a potential housing corridor, with talks about whether exhibitors could be accommodated within a broader development strategy. The city will need to pursue a formula that sustains the momentum of these programs even if Expo itself does not proceed as originally envisioned.
Málaga will have to “convince” Europe to finance the venue
Carrying forward with the land developments requires a substantial financial effort from the City Council, with external financing seen as essential. European funds are viewed as a potential solution, with clear messaging needed to align national and regional authorities behind a shared vision that extends beyond Expo. The administration believes Europe can be drawn into the project through coordinated efforts with the Spanish Government and the Junta, emphasizing the lasting value of a space designed for ongoing use rather than a single event.
If the project is pursued with a genuine aim to serve the community, the city believes it can attract broad support. The alternative is to rethink a space with permanent utility, which will require substantial additional dialogue and planning.
Current priorities emphasize the enclosure itself as the focal point, with a strong emphasis on housing, innovation, and sustainability integrated with the existing urban landscape. The expansion of the Trade Fair and Conference Center (Fycma), the Malaga Auditorium on the harbor site, and the extension of Campanillas Road to the hyperround junction feature among the major proposals that would shape the city’s future in the coming years.