barcelona green infrastructure and biodiversity plan 2020 ......barcelona green infrastructure and...

Barcelona green infrastructure and biodiversity plan 2020. Summary

BCN

Introduction 3

1. Why a green infrastructure and biodiversity plan? 5

2. What do green infrastructure and biodiversity provide? 6

3. What have we achieved? 14

4. Where can we improve? 19

5. What kind of green infrastructure and biodiversity do we want? 22

6. Goals, strategic lines and actions 27

Medi Ambient i Serveis Urbans

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Barcelona green infrastructure and

biodiversity plan 2020


INTRODUCTION

Barcelona is committed to preserv-ing and enhancing the natural heri-tage present in the city to enable eachandeveryoneofustobenefitfromandenjoy it.Toachievethis inasystematicmanner, we have drawn up this Barce-lona Green Infrastructure and Biodiver-sity Plan settingoutthegoalsweaimtoreachandthevarious linesofactiontoengage in with a view to reaching saidgoals. It is vital to strive towards a citywherenatureandurbanityconvergeandenhanceoneanother,wheregreeninfra-structureattainsconnectivityandwheregreen heritage achieves continuity withthenaturalareasurroundingit.Ouraimisnotfornatureinthecitytoformamapofisolatedspots;rather,weseektoforgeagenuinenetworkofgreenspaces.Thisgreenerymustbeconceivedasgreenin-frastructure forming part and parcel ofthecity,servinganenvironmentalandasocialfunction.

From a forward-thinking approach, itis encouraging to consider that naturalecosystems, their flora and their faunadonotonlybelongtothecity,theyalsoconstitute a collective asset of human-

kindasawhole.Itisessentialtorealisethatwhenenhancingurbangreeninfra-structure the bearing we have extendsfar beyond the boundaries of the city.Consequently,thisplanfallsinlinewiththeEUBiodiversityStrategyto2020andthestrategieslaidoutalongtheselinesbytheUNbymeansoftheAichitargetsfor2011-2020.

We should recall that for many yearsBarcelonahasbeenactivelycommittedtosustainability through itsAgenda21.Accordingly, this plan is another com-ponent of the overall endeavours thecityismakinginallareas,rangingfromair quality to the protection of specificzones such as the Parc de Collserola,whilstlikewisecoveringaspectsdirect-lylinkedtoqualityoflifesuchasnoisecontrol and pet ownership. BarcelonaCity Council and the Metropolitan Areaimplement specific policies to enablenaturetofitintothecityandtoenhancebiological diversity based on the phi-losophy that a city with greater greeninfrastructureisacitywherepeoplecanbenefitfromhigherlevelsofhealthandwellbeing.

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Barcelona green infrastructure and biodiversity plan 2020


Flora and fauna in the city afford majorbenefits to citizens. However, they aresubjecttomanyimpactsandmuchpres-sure hindering their survival.The physi-calconditionsinacityarenotalwaysthemost idealwhenitcomestothequalityof soil and air or the availability of wa-terandspace,butthedevelopmentandactivities unfolding in a city – newly-constructed elements and day-to-daymovement and traffic – have the great-estbearingonbiodiversity.Nonetheless,some of the harm caused stems fromour own bad practices: poor treatmentof green areas is harmful, but introduc-ing exotic fauna (for instance, releasingsmallanimalssuchastortoisesandfish,etc.)canbedamagingaswell.

The need to preserve and enhance thecity’s natural heritage, however, is un-questionable. We as humans use thebiosphere;therefore,weneedtoreapthemaximum benefits from it in a sustain-ablefashiontoallowfuturegenerationstowitnessthisheritageinthebestpos-siblestate.Asaresult,preservationisacomplextaskthatentailstheconserva-tion, maintenance and sustainable useofresources,andtherestorationandim-provementoftheenvironment.

Barcelona Green Infrastructure and Bio-diversity Plan is a strategic instrumentthatsetsoutthelong-termactionsthatareneededtoattaingreen infrastructurethatcanserveanumberofenvironmen-tal and social functions, that can bringnatureintothecitywithallthelifeformsit houses, that can achieve connectivitybetweenthecityandthebroaderterrito-ryand,lastly,thatcanmakethecitymorefertileandresilientinordertofaceuptotheverypressuresandchallengesitex-erts. The aim is to secure a city modelwhere nature and urbanity interact and enhance one another for the benefit ofcitizens to enable them to benefit fromthe natural heritage and be actively en-gagedintheprotectionandimprovementofallareas.

Urban green areas and the biodiversitythey house afford us with an excellentopportunity to witness nature thrivinginamajorcity.Thesespacesservespe-cificenvironmentalandsocialpurposes– acting as a backdrop for socialising,playinggamesandtakingstrolls–whichare essential to improve quality of lifeandpersonalwellbeing.Barcelona Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Planisatool that sets out the challenges, goalsand commitments of the City Councilwhen it comes to the preservation ofgreen infrastructure and biological di-versity.Letusexaminetheplanindepth.

Biodiversity refers to the variety of lifeforms existing on Earth. It constitutesglobalnaturalheritagetobeenjoyedbyhumankind as a whole. In the city, bio-diversity is incorporated into the urbannetwork in the same way as the con-structedcity(buildings,streets,etc.)andgreen areas play host to a vital compo-nent of biodiversity that is often over-looked:fauna,consistingofahugevarie-tyofbirds,smallmammals,amphibians,insectsandotherorganisms.

Green infrastructurereferstoalifesup-portsystemthatcarriesoutavitalrole:enhancing the operation of a city andthatofotherinfrastructure.Thenetworkofpublicandprivateareaswithnatural,agricultural and landscaped vegetationprovides a host of ecological, environ-mental, social and even economic serv-ices.Thiscontributionisenhancedwhenconnectivity is achieved within greeninfrastructure,inotherwords,whencon-tinuity isattainedwithrespecttogreenareas. This encourages the mobility ofthe organisms they house enabling theecologicalprocessesandflowsforwhichthey are characterised – with regard towater,materialsandcreatures,etc.–tounfoldundisturbed.Itoperatesasacom-plete ecological system housing plantlifeandanimallifeatthesametime.

1.WHY A GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND BIODIVERSITY PLAN?

foodproduction

absorptionofpollutants

compostingorganicmatter

windbreaks

noisebuffer

solarradiation

carboncaptureandstorage

evapotranspiration

O2

H2Oprecipitation

H2O

infiltration

temperatureregulation

rainwatercollection

energy

heatingandcooling

greywater

Illustration showing the urban network with those aspects of its metabolism that are most closely related to green infrastructure and biodiversity

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2. WHAT DO GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND BIODIVERSITY PROVIDE?

Barcelonaishometoacomplexsystemofgreeninfrastructurecomprisinganex-tensive variety of components, rangingfrom natural open areas to vertical gar-densgrownondividingwallsandvarious

parksandsquares.Eachspecifictypeofareaorcomponenthasitsownfeaturesand qualities, which can be enhancedwhenmanagedappropriately.

Environmental nature diversity complexity connectivity

Values

Sociocultural health beauty culture welfare relationships landscape

Summary of the main contributions of green infrastructure and biodiversity with a list of the types of areas providing these services in Barcelona

Habitat quality Surface Soilquality Topographicdiversity Permeability Presenceofwater

Biological quality Speciesrichness Wealthofhabitats Autochthonous/allochthonousindex Density Stratification Healthoffloraandfauna Representation Uniqueness

Environmental quality Acousticcomfort Climatecomfort AirqualitySensory quality Olfactoryquality Acousticquality Colourquality Visualquality Seasonalandtemporalvariability

Reception capacity Proximity Accessibility Calmtraffic Miscellaneoususes Socialisationopportunities

Cultural interest Identity Historicalinterest Artisticinterest Educationalinterest

Features

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ture and potential for socialisation.Whenwerefertofeatures,wearegaug-ing environmental and sensory-basedquality, carrying capacity and culturalinterest,amongotheraspects.

They all provide ecological values thatare vital to the city, such as wealth ofspecies, as well as social and culturalvalues, such as the direct impact theyhave on wellbeing, health, beauty, cul-

Types of spaces

OpennaturalspaceRiverareaCoastForestParkGardenVegetablegardenPondSquareTree-linedstreetLandscapedstreetGreenroofGreenwalland/orverticalgarden

Functions

EnsuresthepresenceofnatureinthecityPreservesnaturePreservessoilProducesorganicmatterandfoodReducesairpollutionSequestersandstorescarbonReducesnoisepollutionRegulatesthewatercycleProvidesmoistureModeratestemperaturesSavesonheating/coolingcostsCreateslandscapingImproveslivabilityinthecityOpensuppocketsofspaceandcontributestopacifyingthecityContributestophysicalandmentalwellbeingCreatesenvironmentsforlifeandsensoryenjoymentCreatesenvironmentsforsocialinteractionProvidesspacesforleisure,recreationandphysicalactivityProvidesopportunitiesforcultural,educationalandresearchactivitiesGeneratestouristappealPromotescontactandinteractionwithnatureGeneratesaddedvalueGeneratesbusinessopportunities

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The following diagrams provide a quan-titative overview of the values affordedby these features in certain spaces,demonstratingthevariouscontributionseachtypeofspaceprovides.Theaccom-panyingphotographsshowfeaturesthathavereceivedaratingabovefive,inotherwords,thosethatstandout.

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Tree-lined street

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ThemunicipaldistrictofBarcelonahasa surface area of nigh on 100 km2 andhousesahugevarietyofnaturalspaceswith typical fauna because it lies in ahighly favourable location: it is alignedby two rivers (with the respective del-tas), the coastline, Montjuïc mountainandtheCollserolamountainrange,withwoodsalteredasaresultofhumanac-tion. All of this nature lends the area ahost of crops, dry grasslands, scrub-

lands, maquis shrubland, pinewoods,holmoakwoods(andoakwoods),shorevegetation, and so on. In the Barcelonaplain, as it is called, dotted with oldcreeks and marshes, the physical en-vironment is barely visible because theland has been taken over by the urbanfabric, which has elements of greeneryingenerally isolatedspotswithnocon-tinuity.

3. WHAT HAVE WE ACHIEVED?

open natural space river area

coast forest

park garden

vegetable garden pond

square tree-lined street

landscaped street green roof

green wall and/or vertical garden

Areas with natural vegetation or landscaped

Urban weabe with significant presence of private green

Barcelona’s network of green infrastructure

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Types of spaces in town

The city’s network of green infrastruc-tureisformedbyallgreenareas:naturalandlandscaped,largeandsmall,publicandprivate,simpleandcomplex.

opennaturalspacesforestgreenroofsgreenwallsgardenstrees-linedstreetssquareslandscapedstreets

vegetablegardensparksriverareascoast

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its natural heritage. Certain species aredesignatedasbeingofspecialinterestorprotected.

Most common animal and plant species in Barcelona

Weoftenfailtorealisethatthecityplayshost to a remarkable variety of animaland plant biodiversity forming part of

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• TheCollserolaNaturePark(1.698hainBarcelonaandmorethan8.000haintotal),theLlobregatriver,theBesòsriverandthesea,borderingthemunicipaldistrict;CollserolaisanatureparkthatispartoftheXarxaNatura2000network.

• Barcelonaplain,asitiscalled,essentiallyoccupiedbytheurbanfabric.

• Publicparksandgardens(82)andtheremainingurbangreenareas(1.102haintotal)equateto6,82m2greenery/inhabitantintheurbanfabric,17,33m2/inhabitantincludingCollserola.

• Naturalareasofspecialinterestforbiodiversitywithintheurbanfabricinclude:Montjuïcmountain,ElsTresTuronsandParcdelaCiutadella(includingtheZoo).

• Parksofhistoricalinterest,suchasParkGüell,ParcdelaCiutadella,ParcdelLaberintd’Horta,PalaudePedralbes,TuróParkandJardinsdelaTamarita,allincludedinBarcelonaCityCouncilArchitecturalHeritageListing(atotalof27).

• Parksofthematicinterest(botaniccollections):MossènCostaiLlobera,Cervantes-Roserar,MossènCintoVerdaguer,AclimatacióandtheJardíBotànic.

• Privategreeninfrastructure(740ha).

• Beaches(30ha)andseahabitatssuchasreefs(83ha).

• Crops(30ha)andurbanvegetablegardens(13vegetablegardenswithatotalof343plots).

• Trees(morethan160.000treesliningthestreetsandsome75.000treesinparksandgardens;atotalof200speciesinthecity).

• 138sheetsoftreesincludedinBarcelonaListingofTreesofLocalInterest.

• Florapresentinparksandgardens,includingnativeandexoticspecies(1.172speciesoftrees,shrubs,climbingplantsandpersistentperennialplants).

• Vegetationinbuildings(greenwalls,balconies,terracesandlandscapedroofs)withitsassociatedfauna,particularlybirds(alpineswifts,swifts,swallowsandwesternjackdaws).

• Faunapresentinthecity:103nativespeciesofvertebrates;72vertebratesprotectedbylaw:2amphibians,8reptiles,55birdsand7mammals.

Barcelona is home to the following green infrastructure

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The review carried out has highlight-ed the fact that the following aspectsshould be subject to specific improve-ments:

4. WHERE CAN WE IMPROVE?

nature

quantity

urbanpressure

dimension

creationofhabitats

preservationofhabitatsandspecies

Natural heritage

Territory

balance

connectivity

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usesandactivities

wellbeing participationandinteraction

enjoyment

identity,heritage

listingandprotection preservationofspeciesmarkingidentity

preservationofhistoricalgardens

layering

Structure and ecological services

Quality of life

Cultural heritage

mosaicofhabitats pro-ecologicalservicedesign

diversityofspecies

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educationalactivities

education debateandreflection

dissemination

Communication and education

Management and maintenance

Commitment

maintenance

preservationofstreettrees

plansandprogrammes

management

networking

eco-efficiency

knowledgeofbiodiversityglobalcommitment

citizeninvolvement

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• Opportunityareasvaryintermsofsizeandtype,althoughtheyarepresentinallneighbourhoods: unoccupiedplots,roofs, balconies, and generally speak-ingallareasthatcansustainandhousefloraandfauna.Theyarevitaltonatu-ralising the city and bringing natureinto it to thegreatestextentpossible.Greenareasalsoaffordmajoropportu-nitiesforincreasingandimprovingthepresence of greenery and biodiversityas a whole, creating more welcoming,healthyareasforcitizens.

BarcelonaGreenInfrastructureandBio-diversityPlanenvisagesthecityin2050asaplacewherenatureandurbanityin-teract and enhance one another by en-suring the connectivity of greenery. Inother words, it envisions a city whereurban green infrastructure will be con-nectedtothebroaderterritoryandoffermoresocialandenvironmentalservices;wherebiodiversitywillbeappreciatedascollective heritage and, in short, a citywhereeveryopportunitywillbetakeninordertomakewayfornatureandencour-age people to come into contact withnatural elements, based on the convic-tionthatagreenercityisahealthiercity.

Accordingly, this plan sets out the stra-tegic lines for developing green heri-tage as a comprehensive system whilstproposing a city model where greeneryisincorporatedasbasicecologicalinfra-structure.

Thisisdefinedintwokeyconcepts:con-nectivityofgreeninfrastructureandtherenaturalisationofthecity.

• Green corridors are the tool aimed atachieving connectivity, defined withinthe urban fabric as belts with abun-dantvegetationwherepedestriansandcyclists must be given priority. Thesebelts must ensure connectivity isachieved between the various ”spots”of green infrastructure in the city bymeans of natural structures, densevegetationandsoft,pervioussurfaces.Thisnetworkaimstoensuregreen in-frastructureisfirmandfunctional.

Green corridors stand out on accountof their quality, both visually and asa place for strolling or resting. Theymake the city more pleasant, provideappealinghabitatsforfaunaandboostthe social and environmental benefitsafforded. Consequently, green corri-dorsplayastrategicrole inbuildingahealthy,ecologicalcity.

5. WHAT KIND OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND BIODIVERSITY DO WE WANT?

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Urbangreencorridorsprovidecontinuitywithoutlyingnaturalspaces,supportinggreeninfrastructurewithinthecity

Urban green corridors

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Filling gaps with green

Traditionally, green infrastructure inBarcelona has developed in the city’sparks and gardens, making use ofwasteland or enhancing existing gar-dens. At present, one strategy forprogressistoincorporatenatureintoallavailable gaps within the urban fabric.Roofs,balconiesandwallsarealllikelytobetransformedintogardensorvege-

tablegardensforusebythecommunityor into spaces for carrying out healthyactivities,therebybecomingnew forms of urban green infrastructure. Streetscanalsobedynamic,livelyplaces,set-tings for strolls and socialising, pro-videdconditionsfortrafficcalmingareestablished and pleasant and qualitygreeninfrastructureisenvisaged.

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Nature is a garden and gardens are nature

agementfostersbiodiversityand,there-fore, enhances the cultural and socialinterestoftheseareas.

Parks and gardens are privileged spotsforanimalandplantlife.Theyhousethespecies that spontaneously arrive, liveand reproduce there. Ecological man-

affordsamorepleasanturbanlandscapeandcanserveasaplaceforsocialisationorgatherings,andasalocationfortakingastrollorengaginginsportsandleisureactivities in the open air. These charac-teristics make it possible to view thecityasasourceofhealthand,therefore,progressmustbemadetowardsthem.

There are many advantages to imple-mentingthispolicy.Plantcoverabsorbsdust and pollutant particles in the air;reducesnoisepollution;regulatesdamp-ness;balancesthewatercycle;reducesenergy consumption in buildings; cre-ates ecological connectivity, and servesasahabitatformorebiodiversity.Italso

Icantravelfromthecoastto

Collserolaandgreeneryis

constantlycloseathand.

Barcelonaearnsawardsforthedesignofitsparksandgardensanddeemsbiodiversitytobeamodelandgoal.

We’vebeenassignedtheplotinorderto

createasharedgarden!

Today,whilststrollingalongPasseigdeGràcia,Iheardacricket

TouristsvaluemanyofBarcelona’sgreen

spaces,notjustParkGüell.

Thereisagreenspacelessthan400yardsfrommyfrontdoor.

Ireadinthenewstodaythatchinaberry

treeshaveblossomed!

Barcelonain2050maylooksomethinglikethis

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ThegoalsofBarcelonaGreenInfrastruc-tureandBiodiversityPlanareasfollows:

• Preserving and enhancing the naturalheritageofthecityandpreventingspe-ciesandhabitatsfromdisappearing.

• Achieving the maximum amount ofgreen infrastructure and ensuring itsconnectivity.

• Obtainingthemaximumnumberofso-cial and environmental services fromgreeninfrastructureandbiodiversity.

• Making progress in educating societyto place greater value on green infra-structureandbiodiversity.

• Making the city more resilient in theface of future challenges such as cli-matechange.

Thisplanisorganisedintotenstrategic lines whicharedefinedintermsofprior-ityactions.

6. GOALS, STRATEGIC LINES AND ACTIONS

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1.1 To develop biodiversity preservationprotocolsforareasofmajorinterestand to implement associated guide-lines.

1.2 Toimplementpreventiveandcorrec-tivemeasuresforactivitiesinpublicspaces that may have an impact onbiodiversity.

1.3 Toidentifyandimplementmeasuresto preserve biodiversity in privategardens and other areas of specialinterest.

1.4 To consolidate vertebrate conserva-tionprogrammes.

1.5 To prepare action plans for the con-servationofspecialinterestfloraandfauna and to implement associatedguidelines.

1.6 Tolaunchmeasurestocontrolexotic,invasiveflora.

1.7 To prevent and control invasive andexcessiveanimalpopulations.

1. Preserving the city’s natural heritage

This isonekeychallenge insustainabledevelopment. The aim is to implementactions inordertopreservebiodiversityby adopting measures intended to cor-rectactivities,behaviourandpresence–ofexcessiveorinvasivefloraandfauna,for instance – that have a detrimentaleffect.Itisvitaltodrawupprotocolsforpreserving biodiversity for those publicand private spaces having the greatestinterest.

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2.1 Toidentifythecity’sgreeninfrastruc-ture.

2.2 Toboostprojectsinthecityoutskirtsandmetropolitanareaforconnectinggreen infrastructure and preservingbiodiversity.

2.3 Toimplementthegreencorridornet-workproject.

Inorder tostrengthengreen infrastruc-ture it is necessary to re-conceive andcompleteurbangreenerytotransformitinto a network where green spaces areinter-connected and linked to naturalareas.Thebalancecanbestruckbyex-amining the potential for incorporatinggreen infrastructure into those neigh-bourhoodswherenatureisscant.

2. Planning green infrastructure to ensure connectivity and strike a balance in distribution

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Careful design makes it possible to en-hance the effects of nature on the set-tingandonnaturalelements(water,themicroclimate, fauna, etc.) within thatsetting. Actions such as promoting di-versityinurbantreesorredesigningthecoastalvegetationtoadaptittothespe-cific environmental conditions to whichit is exposed improve the quality andpotential of green infrastructure. Smallinitiatives,suchasmakingthegroundinpublic places pervious, can prove to behighlyecological.

3.1 To develop a Green InfrastructureandBiodiversityCharter.

3.2 Tomakegroundinpublicareasper-meable.

3.3 Todiversifystreettreespecies.3.4 Toincorporateefficientlandscaping

criteria in areas with limited waterresourcesandmaintenance.

3.5 Toadaptcoastalvegetationtoenvi-ronmentalconditions.

3. Designing the city and its green spaces taking into account environmental services and integrating criteria to enhance biodiversity

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4.1 Toorganiseandcreateanetworkoflocal nature reserves by restoringsitesofnaturalinterest.

4.2 To create new green spaces in thecity.

4.3 To increase biomass in the city byincreasingthenumberoftreesandshrubsinparks,gardensandpublicspaces.

4.4 To enrich existing green infrastruc-ture and to enhance its habitatfunction.

4.5 Topromotesilenceinparkssopeo-plecanenjoysoundscapes.

4.6 To promote green decks, rooftops,wallsandcourtyards.

4.7 Tocreategreenspacesintemporar-ilyunusedplots.

4.8 To promote organic agriculture inurbanandperi-urbanareas.

4.9 Tocreateseasonalgardensinurbansquares.

4.10 Toprovidemoresoilspaceforstreettrees.

Barcelonaisacompact,densecitywithvery few natural areas but one wherethe effects of its green infrastructurecanbeenhancedbypromotinglocalna-ture reserves, providing existing areaswithmorevegetation,encouragingland-scaped areas to serve as a habitat, in-corporating organic agriculture practic-esandexpandingonthevarietyofgreenspaces present by taking advantage ofnewopportunities(roofs,decks,façades,walls,etc.).

4. Creating new sauces for nature and increasing the presence of green infrastructure and biodiversity

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5.1 Toimprovethemanagementofgreenspacesandstreettrees.

5.2 Toprepareparkdossiers.5.3 To develop a park and garden reha-

bilitation programme following ra-tionalisationcriteria.

5.4 To optimise irrigation carried out ingreenareas.

5.5 To implement a biodiversity-friendlypest,diseaseandweedmanagementprogramme.

5.6To replace high water consumptionlawns with warm climate cespitosaplantsandcarpetingplants.

5.7To develop a protocol of action forgreenerymanagementintheeventofweather-relatedincidents.

In order to benefit from quality urbanheritagewithreducedenvironmentalandeconomiccosts,variousstrategiesareinplace:reducingthedemandforwateringreen areas, conducting comprehensivepestandillnesscontrols,usingsuitablesoils,makingthemostofplantremainsand, in general, applying the most suit-ableprocedurestoeachtypeofvegeta-tion.

5. Managing parks and gardens and other green spaces with sustainability and efficiency criteria, fostering biodiversity

Galanthus

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6.1To prepare management plans forhistorical and themed parks andgardens.

6.2 Toreviewlocalandnationalheritagelistings so that they include all rel-evanthistoricalgardens.

6.3TodesignateMontjuïcasthebench-markofBarcelona’slandscapedher-itage.

6.4 To develop a plan for the preserva-tion of Barcelona’s distinguishingtreespecies.

6.5 TopreserveandpromoteBarcelona’streesoflocalinterest.

Some of the city’s parks and gardens,their sculptural and architectural ele-ments,aswellascertainspeciesoftrees,allformpartofBarcelona’sculturalandhistorical heritage. These spaces entailspecificpreservationrequirementscall-ingforspecialprotectionmeasures.

6. Preserving and enhancing the value of cultural heritage, especially in historical gardens

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7.3 Toextendandpursuestudiesontheenvironmental benefits associatedwithgreen infrastructureandbiodi-versity.

7.4 To gain greater applied knowledgeabout the effects of green infra-structureonhealth.

7.5 Toencourageresearchontheeffectsof climate change on natural heri-tage.

7.6 To determine the water demandneededtoensurethequalityofveg-etation.

7.7 Toseekoutandtestnewplantspe-ciesincooperationwithresearchin-stitutionsandcentres.

7.8 Togaingreaterknowledgeoftheim-pact of the city on global biodiver-sity.

The preservation of natural heritagemustbemanagedonthebasisofscien-tificandtechnicalcriteria.Expandingintheknowledgeofbiodiversity,ofthebe-haviourandneedsofthespeciespresentin the urban setting and of the environ-mental and social benefits generatedis the most appropriate way to suitablyplan and manage natural heritage. Thischallenge is shared by other cities withwhich Barcelona exchanges knowledgeandexperiences.

7.1Toundertakemonitoringonthestateand development of natural heri-tagebyimplementingadatabaseandsystem of indicators on green infra-structureandbiodiversity.

7.2 To prepare and update the map ofgreeninfrastructureandbiodiversity.

7. Improving knowledge for the Management and conservation of green infrastructure and biodiversity

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8.1 To develop and implement a com-munication strategy on green infra-structureandbiodiversity.

8.2 Topromotegreenspacesassettingsforeducationandknowledge.

8.3 Tosetupandprovideagreeninfra-structure and biodiversity interpre-tationcentreinBarcelona.

8.4 TofostertheParcdelLaberintTrain-ingCentreasaplatformforpromot-inggardensandlandscaping.

8.5To promote BioBlitz-style citizeninitiativesforbuildcollectiveknowl-edgeinafestivemood.

8.6To raise awareness about the valueofbiodiversityamongprofessionals.

8.7To create resources for and providesupporttoschools.

8.8 To educate citizens in managingconflicts in coexisting with animalsbasedonconservationcriteria.

Concepts related to nature tend toarouseinterestamongpeopleingeneral.Itisimportanttoensurethevalue,com-plexityandcontributionsaffordedbyna-turearemorewidelyknown.Thevarietyofgreenheritagehousedinthecitybearsmajor potential when it comes to dis-seminatingvaluesand,accordingly,edu-cating citizens. In this respect, schoolsmustplayavitalrole.

8. Spreading knowledge of green infrastructure and biodiversity and their values, fostering training

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9.2 Toincreaseandimprovethenumberof recreational and health facilitiesofferedinparks.

9.3To improve and diversify children’splaygroundsbyinvolvingschools,as-sociationsandthecommunity.

9.4 To promote private greenery by en-couraging landscaped vegetablegardens, balconies, terraces, roofs,decks,wallsandcourtyards.

9.5Toopenprivategreenspacesforpub-licuse.

9.6Tosetupavolunteerprogrammeforthe conservation, information anddissemination of green infrastruc-tureandbiodiversity.

9.7To design and implement a pro-gramme of accessible neighbour-hood-run flower and vegetable gar-dens.

9.8To organise idea contests related togreeninfrastructureandbiodiversityopentovariousgroups.

Greenurbanspaceshelptoimprovethequality of life and health of people.Thediversity of profiles of users and needsin green spaces in Barcelona is an im-portantfactorwhenitcomestoplanningthem.Themajorchallengeposedforthecomingyearsistosecuregreatercitizeninvolvementasakeytothepreservation,managementanddesignofgreenareas.Indeed,itisnecessarytodrawupaplanonsocialuses, to improvetheavailabil-ityofrecreationalfacilitiesinparksand,similarly,topromoteprivategreeneryasanelementthatispartandparcelofthecity’snaturalnetwork.

9.1ToprepareandimplementaplanonsocialusesofgreenspacesinBarce-lona.

9. Fostering green spaces as places for health and enjoyment as well as promoting citizen in-volvement in their creation and in the conservation biodiversity

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Barcelona must serve as a benchmarkforurbangreeninfrastructureandbiodi-versitybecauseitisthecity’scallingandcommitment.Thecity’sfootprintcausesanimpactonnaturebeyondthelimitsofthemunicipaldistrict.Workingtoreducethis impactentailsworkingfortheben-efitofthenaturalheritageofhumankind.Inordertomakefurtherprogressinlocalleadership it isnecessarytostrengtheninstitutional relations with the associa-tionsinvolvedinthepreservationofbio-diversityandurbangreeninfrastructure.At the same time it is necessary to ac-tivelytakepartincitynetworkscommit-tedtoaddressingtheissueofthepreser-vationofnatureallovertheglobe.

10.1 To turn Barcelona into a greenbenchmark.

10.2 To actively take part in city net-works and with the foremost bod-iescommittedtoaddressingbiodi-versityissues.

10.3Tostrengthencooperationwiththenetwork of institutions and workhand in hand with the authoritiesinvolved.

10.4Tofosternetworkingwithorganisa-tionsandsecuretheircommitmenttobiodiversity.

10.5To engage economic stakeholdersinsponsorshipprogrammesfortheconservation of green infrastruc-tureandbiodiversity.

10.6 Topromotealandstewardshipsys-tem as a tool for natureconserva-tion.

10.7 Tomakeprogresstowardsanenvi-ronmentally friendly procurementpolicy.

10. Strengthening local leadership, networking and the commitment to the conservation of green infrastructure and biodiversity

BARCELONA GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND BIODIVERSITY PLAN 2020

Councillor of Environment and Urban Services - Urban Habitat. Barcelona City CouncilJoanPuigdollers

Assistant manager for the Environment and Urban ServicesRomanLlagostera

Director of Green Spaces and BiodiversityXavierHernández

Technical DirectionTeresaFranquesa

Coordination and Plan drafting MargaritaParés,MontseRivero,ColomaRull

ContributorsDolorsAuladell,IzaskunMartí,ConxaMonràs,AntoniParis,ToniPujol,MartaSarsanedas,IrmaVentayol

Consulting anf graphic proposalJORNET-LLOP-PASTORArquitectes

PhotographyPolViladoms,AdriàGoula,AndrésFlajszer

Editing coordinator of this editionLisFrancès

TextPatriciaGabancho

DesignEmmaCamacho(endoradisseny)

TranslationRobertTaylor,MannersTraduccions,SL

Edited byMediAmbientiServeisUrbans-HàbitatUrbà.AjuntamentdeBarcelona.April2013

BarcelonaGreenInfrastructureandBiodiversityPlanwasintroducedbythemunicipalgovern-menttotheCommissionofUrbanHabitatandEnvironmentonSessionJanuary24,2013.

BCNBarcelona green infrastructure and biodiversity plan 2020

bcn.cat/habitaturbafacebook.com/Bcn.cattwitter.com/Bcn_mediambient

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