The mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, unveiled today the plaque naming the park Mayor of Madrid José Luis Álvarez y Álvarez, located between the districts of Hortaleza and Ciudad Lineal, in memory of the former mayor of the capital of Spain between 1978 and 1979, as well as minister in the governments of Adolfo Suárez and Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo, deputy in the Cortes Generales, and a renowned jurist.
The event was attended by the deputy mayor and municipal spokesperson, Inma Sanz; the delegate for Urbanism, Environment, and Mobility, Borja Carabante, and the councilors of the districts of Hortaleza, David Pérez, and Ciudad Lineal, Nadia Álvarez; along with the former mayor of Madrid, José Maria Alvarez del Manzano, and family members of the former mayor.
Almeida emphasized the legacy of Álvarez y Álvarez, whom he described as «a politician in capital letters, one of those we must vindicate not only for what they did, but for what they represent as a reference for a better future for all of us.» In particular, the mayor highlighted his commitment to Madrid, a city to which, as he recalled, he «dedicated the best years of his life.»
He also highlighted three priorities that guided Álvarez y Álvarez’s mandate and are «extremely relevant»: the defense of the environment, the promotion of public transportation, and the protection of heritage. «He planted over 25,000 trees in just two years and approved the city’s first catalog of protected buildings,» he pointed out, also noting that he was a pioneer in establishing transportation discounts for people over 65 years old.
This green area is located mainly in the neighborhood of Santiago Apóstol, between the streets of Roquetas de Mar and Jazmín, a space shared by the districts of Hortaleza and Ciudad Lineal, popularly known as the Homemade Jam Park. The designation as Mayor of Madrid José Luis Álvarez y Álvarez Park was approved by the Government Board on January 30, an initiative that originated from the municipal council meetings of both districts.
Jurist with a recognized political career
José Luis Álvarez y Álvarez, born in Madrid on April 4, 1930, was a prominent notary, politician, and key figure during the Spanish Transition. He graduated in Law from the University of Madrid, precursor of the current Complutense University, with an Extraordinary Degree Award and National End of Career Award. He joined the Notary Corps in 1954 at the age of 23.
He was mayor of Madrid between March 3, 1978, and January 5, 1979, and during his time at the helm of the City Council, he promoted various initiatives related to the environment and mobility, such as celebrating Tree Day or Bike Day, planting thousands of trees in different neighborhoods, and effectively managing the economy of Madrid.
He resigned from the position to run as a candidate for UCD in the 1979 municipal elections in the capital. At the polls, he became the most voted candidate and won the simple majority of the City Council, although he was eventually sworn in as mayor Enrique Tierno Galván with the votes of socialist and communist councilors.
Subsequently, he served as Minister of Transport and Communications (1980-1981) under the presidency of Adolfo Suárez; Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (1981-1982) during the government of Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo, and deputy in the Cortes Generales (1982-1986). José Luis Álvarez y Álvarez passed away on August 3, 2023, in Cartagena at the age of 93. /
