Science Avenue: A Personal and Urban History

I am Pablo García, a lifelong Sevillian, and if there is something I have walked more times than my own neighborhood streets, it is the Avenida de las Ciencias. This road, which runs through the East-Alcosa-Torreblanca District, is not just a place where traffic passes through; it is a mirror of modern Seville and its ability to reinvent itself over and over again.

Let's be clear: the Avenida de las Ciencias is not just any avenue. It is the backbone of East Seville, a neighborhood that was born in the 1980s as a necessary expansion in the face of the city's growth. With its almost two kilometers long, it strategically connects residential areas with commercial, educational and cultural spaces. Here there is life, movement and, at times, chaos, but also an order that only those of us who live in this city know how to interpret.

What is the Avenida de las Ciencias and why does it matter so much?

The Avenida de las Ciencias is much more than asphalt and sidewalks; it is a symbol of urban growth. In its beginnings, this artery was designed as part of an ambitious plan to decongest the center of Seville. Over time, it not only fulfilled its logistical function, but also became a space full of essential services.

Today, it houses:

• Shops and local businesses, as in any self-respecting dynamic avenue.
• Educational centers such as the IES Margarita Salas, which trains hundreds of young people in the area.
• Recreational and sports spaces, such as the nearby Centro Deportivo Sevilla Este.

It is, in short, a way to live. But, mind you, it has also had its challenges. For example, a few years ago, the deterioration of the pavement (caused by incessant traffic) required a complete renovation, a 640,000-euro investment that transformed its roadway into a more resistant and flexible high-tech【5】【7】. So there are no more excuses for those unexpected potholes that we all used to avoid at the last minute.

My experience with Avenida de las Ciencias

To be honest, I have a love-hate relationship with this avenue. Love, because it has seen me grow up. As a child, I was fascinated by the names of its adjacent streets, dedicated to great scientific minds like Galileo and Newton. I remember riding my bike, feeling like an explorer in search of new worlds.

But also moderate hate, because, like any Sevillian, I have had to suffer its traffic jams. Especially at rush hour, when it becomes a river of cars, motorcycles and buses. Although of course, that is also a reflection of its importance: everyone passes through here, because it is where everything happens.

A place in constant evolution

Something that stands out about Avenida de las Ciencias is its ability to adapt. A night paving system was recently implemented to avoid inconveniencing residents while they improved the road【7】. This detail shows how it has been transformed into a more functional space for modern times, taking care of both mobility and the quality of life of those of us who live and work nearby.

In recent decades, Sevilla Este has seen the blossoming of shopping centers such as Aleste Plaza, which are located a stone's throw from the avenue. In addition, the gastronomic and cultural offerings are growing year after year, making this place not just a place to pass through, but a destination in itself.

A critical analysis: what is Avenida de las Ciencias lacking?

Of course, not everything is perfect. Although the avenue shines for its modernity, it still has challenges to overcome:

1. Traffic is still a problem. Despite the improvements, at rush hour, everyone who lives in Sevilla Este knows that it is better to leave on time.
3. Lack of green areas. Yes, there are parks nearby, but it would be ideal to have more wooded spaces along the avenue itself.
5. More cultural and leisure diversity. Although it has cinemas and restaurants, it would be interesting to integrate more outdoor activities, such as weekly markets or neighborhood festivals.

Avenida de las Ciencias as a reflection of Seville

This place is, in many ways, a microcosm of the city. It combines tradition and modernity, challenges and opportunities, chaos and beauty. For those of us who have grown up around it, it is a constant reminder of how Seville has changed in recent decades and how it remains a city on the move.

So, if you ever pass through Sevilla Este, don't just cross this avenue. Explore it, live it, feel it. Because, as any Sevillian will tell you, here is the heart of our modern Seville.

The best way to understand it? Walking its sidewalks, stopping in its local bars and listening to the stories of those who, like me, have grown up with it. Because, in the end, there is no avenue without its stories.