Last updated: October 2021
The El Patriarca Park aims to rehabilitate and restore 60 hectares of land for ecological benefits and recreational purposes for the inhabitants of Cordoba (Ref.1,3,4,6). It takes place on a site with distinct areas, including a holm-oak forest with Mediterranean scrubland of extraordinary environmental value. This NBS is an effort to protect natural values, erase the traces of urbanization attempts of the seventies, and repair damages caused by human action (Ref. 6). Implementation of the project is expected to start in early 2021 (Ref. 6).
Source: Ref. 6, ABC
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Parks and urban forests
- Large urban parks or forests
Key challenges
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Flood protection
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Green space creation and/or management
- Environmental quality
- Waste management
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Regulation of built environment
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
- Social justice and equity
- Social interaction
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
- Preservation of natural heritage
- Promotion of cultural diversity
Focus
Maintenance and management of urban nature, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Protection of natural ecosystems, Knowledge creation and awareness raising
Project objectives
This intervention aims to:
- Improve the management of green spaces and the natural environment (Ref. 3)
- Protect the ecological values that the area offers (Ref. 3)
- Rehabilitate and restore the land of El Patriarca (Ref. 3,6)
- Create an inclusive environment for park-goers (Ref. 6)
- Promote environmental education and information (Ref. 3)
- Reduce environmental risks (Ref. 3)
Implementation activities
- Intended to carry out a series of actions on the large rustic property to protect the natural values, control uncontrolled accesses (especially those that use motor vehicles), erase the traces of the urbanization attempts of the seventies (which were never materialized by municipal action) and the repair of the most serious damages caused by human action (such as the cleaning of uncontrolled landfills). (Ref. 6)
- The project includes the cleaning and removal of rubble in the area, erosion control measures, runoff retention and repair of gullies, the identification and preservation of sensitive areas, the repopulation of the grove (Ref. 6)
- Regeneration of damaged areas (Ref. 6)
- More than 400 native trees and 350 shrubs will be planted (Ref. 6)
- Improving the natural valleys by creating a natural barrier to prevent the overflowing of the El Patriarca stream (Ref. 6)
- Rehabilitation of sites and singular landmarks of viewpoints and scenic places (Ref. 6)
- Trails will be adapted and marked for people with reduced mobility (Ref. 6)
- Benches, tables, and bins (Ref. 6)
- Dissemination and training activities (Ref. 6)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore native species
- Restore ecological connectivity
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Non-government organisation/Civil Society
- Researchers/University
- Citizens or community groups
- Marginalized groups: People with functional diversities, Other
- Other
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Regional government
- Local government/municipality
- Non-government organisation/civil society
- Researchers/university
- Other
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Unknown
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
"The Governing Council of the Municipal Planning Department ( GMU ) aims to develop the Special Planning Plan of the General System of Public Parks El Patriarca, with the intention of protecting this natural area, practically integrated in the urban area, with 61.3 hectares of surface, of an increasing deterioration. (Ref. 4) The plan is planned to be developed together with the Environment Department of the City Council, the UCO (University of Córdoba), environmental groups and recently incorporated the Junta de Andalucía (Regional Governance)." (Ref. 3)
Technical services of municipal urban planning department and directed by the architect Rafael García Castejón. (Ref. 6)
Of the Patriarch through special planning, in compliance with the objectives of the Urban Planning Law of Andalusia, will also guarantee, in a real and effective way, the timely fulfillment of the principles of public participation, transparency, publicity and attendance,Ensuring the subsequent completion of a city project designed by and for citizens. "(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
(The plan of the Patriarca park is part, explained the mayor, of an attempt to promote the development of the General Plan in non-profit areas. (Ref. 6)
The Governing Council of the Municipal Planning Department ( GMU ) is developing the Special Planning Plan of the General System of Public Parks El Patriarca, with the intention of protecting this natural area, practically integrated in the urban area, with 61.3 hectares of surface, of an increasing deterioration. (Ref. 4) The municipality governing agents aims to "improve the management of green spaces and the natural environment, Education and environmental information and reduce environmental risks, something we want to do in that space through this project."
"The decision of its expropriation, in an urbanistic procedure, and implementing natural and environmental values "is an outstanding example of the municipal priorities in this matter"' (Ref. 3))
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
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Environmental quality
- Improved waste management
- Water management and blue areas
- Increased protection against flooding
- Improved stormwater management
- Green space and habitat
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Increase in protected green space areas
- Increased conversion of degraded land or soil
- Increased number of species present
- Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
- Increased ecological connectivity across regeneration sites and scales
- Other
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Protection of natural heritage
- Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
- Increased appreciation for natural spaces
- Education
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
- Other
Type of reported impacts
Expected 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. Leña, Isabel (2016). Urbanismo prepara el plan de usos de El Patriarca. Source link Available at: Source link [Accessed: 14 September 2020].
2. Muñoz, Paco (2016). El Patriarca. Source link. Available at: Source link [Accessed: 14 September 2020].
3. Cordópolis (2017). Urbanismo plantea la construcción de un parque en el Patriarca. Source link Available at: Source link [Accessed: 14 September 2020].
4. Cabrera, Jesus (2017). A plan will protect The Patriarch from growing deterioration. Source link. Available at: Source link [Accessed: 14 September 2020].
5. Jordano, D. and Aida, R. (2016). Valores ecológicos y paisajísticos de la finca El Patriarca. Análisis de usos y propuestas de ordenación y de gestión. Universidad de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias. [Document provided].
6. ABC Córdoba. (2020). El Ayuntamiento de Córdoba arranca a principios de año las obras del parque del Patriarca Available at: Source link [Accessed: 14 September 2020].
2. Muñoz, Paco (2016). El Patriarca. Source link. Available at: Source link [Accessed: 14 September 2020].
3. Cordópolis (2017). Urbanismo plantea la construcción de un parque en el Patriarca. Source link Available at: Source link [Accessed: 14 September 2020].
4. Cabrera, Jesus (2017). A plan will protect The Patriarch from growing deterioration. Source link. Available at: Source link [Accessed: 14 September 2020].
5. Jordano, D. and Aida, R. (2016). Valores ecológicos y paisajísticos de la finca El Patriarca. Análisis de usos y propuestas de ordenación y de gestión. Universidad de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias. [Document provided].
6. ABC Córdoba. (2020). El Ayuntamiento de Córdoba arranca a principios de año las obras del parque del Patriarca Available at: Source link [Accessed: 14 September 2020].
Source: Ref. 4, LVC