Last updated: May 2025
This mega-project is part of the Agenda for the Commemoration of the Bicentenary of the Independence of Peru (3). It is the new ecological lung of Ventanilla where families have free access to a meeting point where they can carry out sports, recreational, leisure and cultural activities (1, 2, 3). This park is the largest emblematic work carried out in Callao and one of the largest in extension at the national level, built in commemoration of the 200 years of independence (1, 2, 3). It was built on vacant land, where there was no possibility of meeting or recreation for the neighbours (1). In addition to offering recreational spaces, it is a cultural work that seeks to teach the population about the history of independence, making the public space a commitment to a citizen-centred public policy with an intercultural approach (3). In addition, its financing was part of the second phase of the economic reactivation plan for public investment, encouraging local economic development and generating more than 1,300 direct and indirect jobs (3). This work is an investment of the Executive together with the Regional Government of Callao and the labour force of the municipality of Ventanilla (1, 2). Its facilities are freely accessible and will contribute to the social development and well-being of the citizens (3). Inaugurated in 2022, it has cultural components, such as squares and amphitheatres, playgrounds, campsites and more than 30,000 m2 of green and blue areas (1).
Photo from above the Bicentennial Park
Peruvian Government
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Lakes/ponds
- Parks and urban forests
- Large urban parks or forests
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
- Protection of historic and cultural landscape/infrastructure
- Preservation of historic traditions
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Enabling opportunities for physical activity
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Social interaction
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Employment/job creation
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Land use and Socio-economic change
- Rapid urbanization
- Unequal availability and access to public green spaces
- Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
- Inadequate access to recreational opportunities
Key priorities
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Creation of large parks and urban and peri-urban forests, Transformation of previously derelict areas, Transformation of vacant land into green spaces
Project objectives
- To provide a space for enjoyment and social interaction for a wide audience, including residents from other districts (1)
- To promote physical, recreational, and cultural activities (1)
- To disseminate and preserve the history of Peruvian independence as part of the national identity (1)
- To foster a commitment to a citizen-centred and intercultural public policy (3)
- To contribute to the economic revival through public investment (3)
Implementation activities
The park's construction was completed in two phases over 12 months (3). The first phase focused on recreational infrastructure, while the second phase implemented sports and complementary facilities (3).
The park features natural areas, including green spaces and artificial water bodies (1). To fulfil cultural objectives, it includes a permanent history museum, a library, workshop rooms, a plaza honouring independence heroes and illustrious Peruvians, and a plaza dedicated to the Incas. A children's play area and 3 amphitheatres for arts and culture have also been established, along with 12 hectares of public recreational space (1, 3).
The project created 1300 jobs and will implement a tourist circuit to attract local businesses and artisans (2, 3). A food court was set up to encourage the economic development of social organizations in the area through the sale of traditional food (6), and there's a plaza for Pachacutec artisans (1).
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
- Unknown
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
Municipalidad Distrital de Ventanilla: Initiator, executor and financer of the project (3)
Regional Government and Ministry of Housing: technical assistance and co-financier (1, 3)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(It has support from the Programa Nuestras Ciudades (Our Cities Programme) promoted by the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation, which formulates, approves and executes public investment projects for urban mobility, public spaces, urban equipment for public recreation, and special uses at the local, regional and/or national level, and others that may be necessary (4). )
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Type of enablers
Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
- Public national budget
- Public regional budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
No
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Environmental quality
- Improved air quality
- Achieved improved air quality
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Achieved increased green space area
Economic impacts
- Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
- Achieved generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
- More sustainable tourism
- Expected more sustainable tourism
- Attraction of business and investment
- Expected attraction of business and investment
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Achieved improved access to urban green space
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging
- Achieved increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Unknown
References
1.
delpaís (2022). Municipalidad de ventanilla abre las puertas de la obra más grande de todo el callao “parque zonal cultural bicentenario” de pachacútec. Accessed on September 9, 2024, [Source link];
2.
Trome (2022). Inauguran el Parque Zonal Cultural Bicentenario, el nuevo pulmón para Pachacútec. Accessed on September 9, 2024, [Source link];
3.
Oficina General de Comunicaciones (2020). Así será el Parque Bicentenario de Ventanilla: Más de 111 mil m² de espacios verdes y recreativos de libre acceso. Accessed on September 9, 2024, [Source link];
4.
Peruvian Government (n.d.). Programa Nuestras Ciudades. Accessed on September 10, 2024, [Source link];
5.
Aliaga, M., Picón, J. (2023). Parques Culturales Bicentenario: Legado con inclusión social. Accessed on September 10, 2024, [Source link];
6.
Peruvian Government (2022). Más de 20 mil visitantes recibió parque bicentenario desde apertura. Accessed on September 10, 2024, [Source link];
7.
Alianza para el progreso (n.d.). PLAN DE GOBIERNO DISTRITO DE VENTANILLA-CALLAO 2019-2022 . Accessed on September 10, 2024, [Source link];
Photo from above the Bicentennial Park
Peruvian Government
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.