Usera transforms its Chinatown with dragons, arches and unique cultural touches

Usera has taken a decisive step in integrating its Chinese community with the inauguration of a 1.5-kilometre pedestrian route linking the neighbourhood with Madrid Río. Madrid City Council has opted for Asian cultural elements, such as dragons, monumental arches and references to the Chinese zodiac, to revitalise the area and strengthen its identity.

Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida was among the first to walk this new route, which runs through streets such as Isabelita Usera, Mercedes Manjón and Mirasierra, as well as the squares of las Tizas and José Luis Hoys. During the walk, visitors can discover inscriptions in Spanish and Mandarin, as well as a Chinese zodiac installed in Julián Marías square.

One of the most striking features is the 285-square-metre children's playground, dominated by a large red dragon made in Galicia, which includes slides, trampolines and climbing walls. The mayor highlighted the importance of the redevelopment for integration and for boosting local life.

The project also includes the construction of a large arch, which will be ready next summer. The intervention has renewed pavements, widened pavements and installed new street furniture, with around one hundred benches, ornamental and drinking fountains, and high-efficiency LED lighting.

The area now has 290 new trees and more than 11,200 plants, some of them Chinese species adapted to Madrid's climate, which provide shade and improve the surroundings. The works involved an investment of 10.5 million euros, financed in part by European Next Generation funds.

With this transformation, Usera is better connected to central Madrid and offers residents and tourists a renewed cultural and leisure experience, boosting local shops and restaurants.