The program 'The Mayor in the Neighborhoods' has completed its fourth edition, finishing its tour across Irun's 17 neighborhoods over the past two years. The final session, held in Meaka last May, marked the end of an initiative that began in Behobia in May 2024. This program allowed Mayor Cristina Laborda to directly understand the concerns, needs, and proposals of residents throughout the city.
The concluding meeting took place in the Pinar neighborhood, alongside representatives from neighborhood associations. During this event, improvements such as the newly installed shelter were observed, reflecting proposals made during the encounters.
Throughout these 17 sessions, a total of 520 requests were collected. Of these, 494 have been accepted as commitments by the City Council. Currently, 135 requests have been completed, and another 253 are in progress. The remaining requests will be addressed in the coming months, with execution data continuously updated.
“"It has been a privilege to be close, to listen to them and to learn firsthand about their concerns and proposals. Because for me, being close to people and listening to what they have to say is a fundamental part of how I understand the role of Mayor."
Laborda expressed gratitude to all participants, especially the neighborhood associations, emphasizing the program's commitment to active listening and direct participation. She described 'The Mayor in the Neighborhoods' as a philosophy of governance focused on proximity to citizens, hearing their concerns and proposals, and translating them into action and solutions.
The Mayor highlighted that direct dialogue with residents provides the City Council with a more realistic perspective of Irun, enabling the identification of needs and better decision-making.
The requests received during this edition primarily concerned urban maintenance and gardening, mobility, safety and coexistence, and Txingudi services, along with other urban planning and daily neighborhood life issues.
“"Listening is just the first step. Then comes the commitment and the work to provide a response. Some of the proposals they have shared are already a reality, others are underway, and others need more time. But all have been heard, analyzed, and, where possible, incorporated into our work. Every neighborhood has a voice, and listening to those voices is also governing Irun."
The requests, commitments, and their progress can be consulted on the municipal website. Mayor Laborda concluded by stating that while the tour of the 17 neighborhoods has ended, the work with them will continue, with ongoing updates on commitments and efforts to address their needs.
