Last updated: October 2021
The Zabalburu square is a square located in the city of Bilbao at the confluence between the streets Autonomía and Hurtado de Amézaga . In 2008, the creation of the square, situated on one of the main roads leading into the city, enabled the recovery of almost 3,000 m2 for leisure and recreation space. It was designed as a forest that protects citizens from road traffic, and has 77 different sized trees that act as a plant barrier. This NBS was necessary since it is located in a quite crowded area (Ref 1)
Source: Ref. 1
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Parks and urban forests
- Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Environmental quality
- Noise reduction
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Regulation of built environment
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
Focus
Creation of new green areas
Project objectives
The project aimed to offer recreational space for nearby inhabitants and to protect citizens from road traffic. (Ref 1,2,3)
Implementation activities
Work started in 2007 when all the pavement of the square was built with cobblestones and slabs of gray granite. The square included the installation of two ornamental fountains, two playgrounds for children (one for children under 3, one for older children), and various urban furniture. There are lamps, litter bins and benches so that those who wish can rest and enjoy this space (Ref 2,3)
A “forest”, consisting of 77 large trees (57 of which are ash trees of American and European species), was created as a visual and acoustic buffer to the road traffic (Ref 2,3)
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
- Citizen monitoring and review
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The project was initiated by the Municipality of Bilbao to increase the quality of life for Bilbao's inhabitants (Ref 2)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(This NBS was conceived as a part of a parking plan developed by the Bilbao's Municipality which aimed at improving traffic conditions in the city but also protecting the health of the inhabitants, Plan Estratégico de Aparcamientos 2003-2007 (Ref 4) )
Financing
Total cost
€2,000,000 - €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
No
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Environmental quality
- Reduced noise exposure
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Safety
- Increased perception of safety
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Bilbao Turismo. (2020). ZABÁLBURU SQUARE. Available at: Source link [Accessed: 8 October 2020].
2. Mayora, J. (2007). La plaza de Zabalburu se humaniza. El Correo. Available at: Source link [Accessed: 8 October 2020].
3. Info Bilbao. (2007). Nota de prensa, BILBAO CUENTA CON UN NUEVO ESPACIO PARA EL ESPARCIMIENTO EN EL CENTRO DE LA CIUDAD GRACIAS A LA RENOVACIÓN INTEGRAL DE LA PLAZA ZABALBURU. [Document provided].
4. Info Bilbao. (2007). Nota de prensa, PREVISIÓN DE LA FINALIZACIÓN DE URBANIZACIONES. [Document provided].
5. Info Bilbao. (2007). Nota de prensa, EN 2008 BILBAO CONTARÁ CON 19.898 PARCELAS DE GARAJE, CASI EL DOBLE QUE EN 2003, GRACIAS AL PLAN ESTRATÉGICO DE APARCAMIENTOS. [Document provided].
2. Mayora, J. (2007). La plaza de Zabalburu se humaniza. El Correo. Available at: Source link [Accessed: 8 October 2020].
3. Info Bilbao. (2007). Nota de prensa, BILBAO CUENTA CON UN NUEVO ESPACIO PARA EL ESPARCIMIENTO EN EL CENTRO DE LA CIUDAD GRACIAS A LA RENOVACIÓN INTEGRAL DE LA PLAZA ZABALBURU. [Document provided].
4. Info Bilbao. (2007). Nota de prensa, PREVISIÓN DE LA FINALIZACIÓN DE URBANIZACIONES. [Document provided].
5. Info Bilbao. (2007). Nota de prensa, EN 2008 BILBAO CONTARÁ CON 19.898 PARCELAS DE GARAJE, CASI EL DOBLE QUE EN 2003, GRACIAS AL PLAN ESTRATÉGICO DE APARCAMIENTOS. [Document provided].