Canary Islands Host First Civil Engineering Conference

Engineering Connecting Islands: Canary Islands Host First Civil Engineering Conference

The Elder Museum is hosting a groundbreaking event that honors Canarian engineers Agustín de Betancourt and Juan de León y Castillo, while celebrating the talent, sustainability, and vision shaping the future of civil engineering.

Las Palmas, November 4, 2025.

The history of Spanish civil engineering is incomplete without the figures of Agustín de Betancourt and Juan de León y Castillo. These two universal Canarians significantly advanced Spain's technical and social development.

Agustín de Betancourt (1758-1824) was a visionary and versatile engineer and inventor of the Enlightenment era. In 1802, he founded the School of Civil Engineering (Roads and Canals) in Madrid, fostering the technical and scientific education that laid the groundwork for modern engineering in Spain.

Juan de León y Castillo (1834-1912) carried on this legacy with projects that transformed the region and the lives of thousands. These included roads, water systems, ports, and lighthouses, notably the iconic Port of La Luz and Las Palmas, which symbolizes progress and global connection.

These two engineers embody the spirit of Canarian engineering: global, precise, innovative, and dedicated to public service. Their legacy inspires the first Civil Engineering Conference, which opened at the Elder Museum of Science and Technology. It's organized by the Las Palmas branch of the College of Civil Engineers (CICCP).

Running from November 4 to 16, the event aims to introduce the public to the fascinating world of civil engineering through interactive exhibits, workshops, site visits, and expert talks.

The opening ceremony was attended by María Fernández Pérez, Director General of Transport and Mobility for the Canary Islands Government; Miguel Ángel Carrillo Suárez, national president of the CICCP; and Felipe Ramón Roque Villarreal, dean of the College's Las Palmas branch.

During her speech, Ms. Fernández Pérez stressed engineering's vital role in developing and uniting the islands. "The Canary Islands face unique geographical and logistical challenges, but they also offer remarkable solutions. Our infrastructure showcases innovation and sustainability, thanks to the talented engineers who work daily to connect our islands and improve residents' quality of life."

The Director General underscored the need to keep promoting sustainable and resilient transport, and highlighted public engineering's value as a driver of well-being. "Engineering is the bedrock of progress. Behind every port, road, or water system, there's a team combining knowledge, technical skill, and social commitment. That's the spirit we celebrate at these conferences today."

Miguel Ángel Carrillo Suárez, national president of the College of Civil Engineers, spoke about engineering's transformative impact, past and present, on the Canary Islands and Spain. "Spanish civil engineering, respected globally, has played a crucial role in shaping the magnificent Canary Islands. Our profession serves well-being, sustainability, and the ongoing improvement of quality of life."

Carrillo stressed the importance of attracting new professionals. "Spain will need over 200,000 engineers in the next decade. Civil engineering is more than just calculations or construction; it's about progress, sustainable development, and the future. We need young people to embrace this profession with enthusiasm, as no transformation is possible without them."

The dean of the CICCP in Las Palmas, Felipe Ramón Roque Villarreal, described the conferences as a platform for public outreach and professional pride. "We want everyone – children, students, families, and the curious – to understand what a Civil Engineer does and how their work underpins almost everything we use daily: roads, ports, water, energy, airports, and more."

Villarreal also highlighted the event's educational and reflective aspects. "The future of engineering rests with young people. However, we must also consider that the Port Authority of Las Palmas is the only one in Spain without a Civil Engineer in its technical team. Progress is impossible without trained professionals to drive it."

The Gran Canaria Train: A Structural and Sustainable Project

The opening day concluded with a talk on "The Gran Canaria train as a structural solution for island mobility." Regina Inmaculada Díaz Pérez, technical director of Gran Canaria Railways, detailed the project as an example of modern, sustainable, and socially transformative engineering.

"Gran Canaria is Europe's largest metropolitan area without a railway. With its population spread out along a single highway that carries up to 200,000 vehicles daily, a train system becomes an essential solution," she explained.

Díaz stressed that the project prioritizes sustainability and efficiency, using 100% renewable energy and having a minimal environmental impact. "The train will run on electricity from its own wind farm, with solar panels at stations and durable materials to reduce maintenance. It represents a commitment to future mobility: safe, efficient, and eco-friendly."

The route will have 11 stations, connecting Santa Catalina to Meloneras, with key stops including San Telmo, Jinámar, Telde, the Airport, Arinaga, and Playa del Inglés. Journeys will be quick and frequent: 25 minutes from San Telmo to Playa del Inglés and 10 minutes from the airport to the capital.

"The train won't compete with other transport methods; instead, it will integrate them, creating truly intermodal mobility by connecting buses, bicycles, taxis, and pedestrians into one sustainable system," she concluded.

An Experience Open to All

Throughout the two-week conference, visitors can explore a comprehensive exhibition showcasing major civil engineering achievements – from the Panama Canal to the road built over the Tajogaite lava. There will also be workshops, interactive games, and a virtual reality experience allowing people to 'visit' iconic structures without leaving the museum.

On November 13, José Luis Rodríguez Prada, Dragados delegate in the Canary Islands, will give a talk titled "Roads over lava: engineering and reconstruction after the Tajogaite eruption." This will focus on engineering's resilience and ability to rebuild areas hit by natural disasters.

Another highlight is the new Electric Bus, on display from November 11 to 14. Visitors can experience it both physically and through virtual reality.

Over 1,300 students from 21 schools have already confirmed their attendance, establishing these conferences as a key event for promoting and educating about the future of engineering in the Canary Islands.

"Civil engineering is more than just calculations or construction. It's about public service, improving well-being, and sustainability. I invite you to explore this exhibition with pride, because everything here shares a common thread: it's the work of engineers striving daily for a better future," the dean concluded.

Institutional Support

The first Civil Engineering Conference is an initiative of the College of Civil Engineers – Las Palmas branch. It's held in collaboration with the Elder Museum of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Public Works, Housing and Mobility of the Canary Islands Government, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, and the Nos Movemos Foundation, with additional support from various industry companies.

Practical Information

Location: Elder Museum of Science and Technology, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Dates: November 4 to 16, 2025, open Tuesday to Sunday Admission: Free from Tuesday to Friday. General admission is €3 on Saturdays and Sundays. More information: www.jornadasingenieriacaminos.es