Zaragoza has been chosen as the physical headquarters for the Spanish Public Health Agency (AESP), surpassing Granada in the final assessment. The Council of Ministers' Agreement, published in the Official State Gazette (BOE), highlights the superiority of the Zaragoza bid in key aspects such as connectivity and mobility.
According to the analysis conducted, both cities received a "very favorable" rating in most evaluated criteria. However, Zaragoza particularly stood out for its "outstanding" railway connectivity and its public transport access network, elements considered strong points against the Granadan proposal.
The Zaragoza bid benefits from its central position in the northeastern peninsula, with quick access to Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Bilbao. The combination of high-speed rail and access to international hubs places it in a competitive position, according to the resolution.
For its part, Granada proposed the doctor Olóriz building, integrated into the former Surgical Pavilion of the San Cecilio Clinical Hospital, and the Andalusian School of Public Health as venues. The Government rated these proposals "very favorably," including investments and timelines.
However, in the 'public transport access network' section, Granada received a "favorable" rating, while Zaragoza achieved a "very favorable" one. The Granadan bid relies on the Málaga hub for international connections, which involves a prior road journey of approximately 130 kilometers.
Regarding sustainable mobility measures, Zaragoza also received a "very favorable" rating for its urban transport network (tram and electric buses), cycle lanes, and low-emission zones. Granada obtained a "favorable" rating for its public transport metropolitan network.
Finally, in 'Financial or logistical support measures,' the Zaragoza bid offered a protocol with the Government of Aragon and Renfe Viajeros for transport discounts and a guaranteed 20% discount on AVE and Long Distance trains, which was rated "very favorably" compared to Granada's "sufficient" rating.
