But, thanks to Manrique's influence, it has avoided the same fate as the concrete jungles of the Costa del Sol on mainland Spain. While there has been a large amount of construction, dwellings on Lanzarote, home to around 150,000 people, largely retain a minimalist simplicity. He also worked closely with the local government on regulations that protected Lanzarote from the ravages of rampant development and encouraged sustainable tourism. Traditional buildingsAfter moving back to Lanzarote, Manrique quickly formed a bond with Pepin Ramirez, the head of the island's local government at the time and his childhood friend. Manrique started developing his projects just as Lanzarote began to develop its tourism sector, which now dominates its economy after centuries of relying on subsistence farming and fishing.

Source: The Local November 16, 2019 04:41 UTC