The latest storm to hit the Spanish property pitch is once again concerning the environment.

Recent reports have shown that the Valencian government is ignoring environmental concerns and building large urban developments, sometimes illegally, and without sufficient water rescources.

Valencia, like other regions in Spain, introduced land grab laws after legislation was introduced to prevent owners of rural property from blocking development on their land. The idea was that the development must benefit the local community by providing infrastructure including sewage and mains water facilities. However, a loop-hole in the law meant that developers could exploit the property owners. This happened particularly in the coastal areas of the region.

The situation is gradually changing, though. In January, 21 Mediterranean nations signed an agreement to combat overdevelopment and protect endangered marine life. The decision was reached after it was predicted that the percentage of Spain's developed coastline would rise from 40 to 50 per cent in the next 20 years. The Director of Coasts for Spain's Environmental Ministry, Jose Fernandez Perez commented that the "old models of managing the coastline were exhausted."

As global warming causes the sea to rise, the Spanish government has been demolishing illegally built properties and clearing the first 100 metres of the coastline in order to protect its human inhabitants.

The subject is gaining more publicity from the recent start of the Climate Change Expo in Zaragoza. The expo covers the hot topic of global warming from the point of view of the countries that will be affected by either a lack of, or too much water, as a result of climate change. Zaragoza is one such place. The Expo will bring much-needed publicity to the subject of the environment as a whole, and the overdevelopment concerns that are affecting Spain.

The event could also boost Zaragoza's property market. Last year, Valencia hosted the America's Cup and, as a result, its property market has been riding a fair wind ever since. 

The annual property price increase for 2007/08 was 5 per cent increase in Valencia, putting the price per square metre up to 1,580 euros. This is still cheaper compared to Zaragoza, where the overall property cost per square metre of 1,745 euros is a 2.1 per cent increase over the 2007 figure.

Valencia looks likely to get the better of Zaragoza tonight as well, with Valencia striker David Villa likely to be picked in the starting line-up ahead of Zaragoza striker Sergio Garcia. But whether you're talking about the Spanish property market or the Euro 2008 championship, there's everything still to play for.

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Spain v Russia
Group D, Euro 2008
Stadion Tivoli Neu, Innsbruck, Switzerland
Kick-off: 1700 BST

Coverage on BBC ONE

Article first published 10 June 2008