Campings del Mediterráneo examines the French model in the face of flooding risks

Confederación de Campings del Mediterráneo (CCM) has held a meeting in Paris with the Fédération Nationale d’Hôtellerie de Plein Air (FNHPA), belonging to the European Federation of Campingsite Organizations (EFCO), with the purpose of bringing together the impact of flood regulations in both countries and knowing firsthand the spirit that is guiding the deployment of such legislation in France.

Campings del Mediterráneo (a sectoral confederation powered by the Girona, Tarragona, Lleida, Castellón, Valencia, Alicante and the Mountain Campsites associations, located more than 1,000 metres above sea level in Catalonia), has been invited to participate in one of the FNHPA monitoring commissions in this area, -specifically, the one which deals with urban planning and risks-, which will now be attended permanently to study the French model.

In France there currently are 300 campsites in areas classified as floodable. The FNHPA is conducting a geographical inventory of all campsites including location and feature data in order to categorize them and start a dialogue with the Administration. It is also working on a guide to good practice in risky areas and a training manual to deal with severe flooding situations. The French Federation has also made a deal with Meteofrance to create a flood-risk episode warning system for campsite owners.

“They are focusing, on analyzing where there is risk and how to mitigate it from a very practical point of view, focusing on the protection of people under the following three actions: customer information and staff training; the possibilities of adjusting the campsite to reduce the risk; and security measures for the accommodation to sustain flooding”, explains Marc Francesch, member of the Board of Directors of CCM and member of the delegation that traveled to Paris.

The process carried out in France began with consultation with a specialized architecture firm on the best technical solutions, regardless of whether they can be applied or not. The second phase examines the applications the chosen solution would have under the legal regulations. Finally, work will be done on a proposal for reforms in legislation, if needed.”It is a system of practical abstraction, which sooner or later would have to be applicable, at least in part, in Spain,” argues Campings del Mediterráneo.

The neighboring country’s strategy will be tested at five campsite-pilots with risk problems to implement a regulation designed with a heavy dose of pragmatism.”By way of example, it is striking that inspectors in France prefer bungalows to mobile homes because, if built correctly, better integration and less impact are guaranteed, while in Spain these are absolutely demonized by the areas of Urbanism” argues CCM.