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Green infrastructure and Landscape International WorkshopVitoria-Gasteiz, May 15-26 (2017)

CEA GREENLAB UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL

SCIENCE AND FORESTRY (SUNY-ESF)

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IntroductionAcknowledgments Purpose

Green Infrastructure and Landscape Internacional Workshop was carried out in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Araba, España) between 16th and 26th of May (2017), as a result of a partnership between the College of Environmental Science and Forestry, University of New York (SUNY) and Environmental Studies Center of Vitoria-Gasteiz (CEA), which intends to join visions and develop strategies which may tackle conflicts regarding urban planning and social, economic and ecological sustainability, among other challenges in urban context. Nine students of SUNY, and research team of CEA-GreenLab have worked together in such aims. Workshop´s managers were Emmanuel Carter and Stewart Diemont, both professors in SUNY, along with Juan Vilela and Yon Baárcena, team managers of CEA-GreenLab.

Workshop is conceived as a think tank of proposals and ideas to implement green infrastructure of Zabalgana neighbourhood, to improve territory and increase ecological and social functionality.

Index

Introduction / ........................................ 2

Workshop members / .......................... 2

Study area / .......................................... 3

Program/ .............................................. 4

Neighboorhood analysis/ ................... 7

Methodology / ..................................... 8

Projects/ .................................. 9 - 13 - 18

Conlussion / ..................................... 23

Annexe / ........................................ 24

This workshop could only been possible by means of working together Center for Environmental Studies (CEA), Service of Public Space and Environment, City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz and Landscape Department of Syracuse University of New York (NY, United States).

We thank the Neighbourhood Association Zabalortu and Zabalgana Batuz, with whom workshop´s team members could gain access to neighbourhood reality and include in our work the expectations, projects and initiatives that neighbours hold for it.

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Workshop members

SUNY-ESF Students

Crystal Peritz Landscape Architecture

Jay Lambrix Environmental Community Land Plan

Maisie Baronian Environmental Sciences

Joshua Willcox Landscape Architecture

Kirsten McGiver Biology

Alden Morris Landscape Architecture

Katelyn Kaim Environmental Law

Corinne Healy Hidrology

Robert Pedian Biology

SUNY-ESF Professors

Emmanuel Carter Urban planning and design

Stewart Diemont Ecosystems restoration and TEK

GREENLAB - CEA Itsasne Mendiberri Jaurena Environmental Sciences

Ibon Doval Landscape architecture

Marta Hernández Arroyo Biology

Jon Cadierno Gutiérrez Geography

Cristina Galiana Carballo Natural Environment Engineering

Elsa Ullmann Agronomic Engineering

CEA

Luis Andrés Orive Forest Engineering

Ane Itziar Velasco Lafuente Area of Studies, Evaluation and Diag nosis of Sustainability

Juan Vilela Forest Engineering

Yon Barcena Ortiz de Urbina Architecture

Blanca Marañón Martínez de Lagrán Area of Studies, Evaluation and Diag nosis of Sustainability

Public Space and Environment Service (City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Eduardo Rojo Fraile Architecture

Luis Lobo Urrutia Technical Forest Engineering

Agustí Agut Escrig Botany

J.A. González Tejedo (Txusto) Technical Agronomic Engineering

Associations

Zabalortu Urban orchards’ project for the neigh bours of Zabalgana

Zabalgana Batuz Zabalgana Neigbourhood association

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Study areaZabalgana

Housing stock in Vitoria-Gasteiz has increased markedly in the last few decades, mainly in Salburua Neighbourhood on the east side, Aretxabaleta-Gardelegi, on the south, and Zabalgana Neighbourhood on the west. This urban expansion areas are still under development and it is expected a greater urban increase, although nowadays they hold 17% ofpopulation in the municipality, and they presumably continue this upward trend in the future.

Zabalgana works started in 2003, holding by the time 24.779 inhabitants (2017), becoming therefore second biggest neighbourhood in the municipality in terms of population. Furthermore, this area concentrates greatest number of foreign population, 2.118 inhabitants, which represents 9,1% of total population. Young families with children represent an important group within the area.

Area spans a surface of 2.484.671 square meters on west side of the city center. It borders east on Ariznavarra neighbourhood, on the north with Ali and Sansomendi. Westside with Zabalgana Forest and Armentia2 on the south.

West-east direction are crossed by railway line tracks Madrid-Irún, while south-north is traversed by Ali and Zarauna creeks. Wide avenues with several traffic tracks are characteristic of Zabalgana, such as Avenida de Zabalgana, Avenida de Derechos Humanos and Avenida de las Naciones Unidas.

UIT regard to public facilities, the neighbourhood counts with a public health center, a civic center which presumably will be available by October (2017) and a couple of schools and kindergardens, as well as other under construction, like IES Zabalgana.

At the moment, a public engagement process is been carried out by CEA and Public Area & Environment City Council Department, along with Zabalgana Batuz neighbours association.The main goal of this process is to improve green areas and vacant plots which are spread through Zabalgana residential area.Public engagement program rely on “Infraestructura Verde Urbana Barrio a Barrio” project, boosted by city council. Moreover, a previous

and similar pilot experience was developed in Lakua3 neighbourhood of Vitoria-Gasteiz.

(1) https://www.vitoria-gasteiz.org/wb021/http/contenidosEsta-ticos/adjuntos/es/40/39/64039.pdf(2) http://salburua-zabalgana.com/zabalgana.html(3) http://www.vitoria-gasteiz.org/we001/was/we001Action.do?idioma=es&nuevaPag=&uid=u6cffe177_155be691705__7f50&aplicacion=wb021&id=&tabla=contenido

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Program

Following table shows daily activities within the workshop. First week was conceived as an approach to city conditions, previous projects, and Green Belt conferences. City was visited by bike, travelling from south to north, and main green infrastructures of Vitoria-Gasteiz (Avenida Gasteiz and Biltzar Jauregia Europa) were presented by city council members and CEA technicians. Thursday was dedicated to exploration visits to the neighbourhood and data collection. On friday took place a meeting with members of Zabalortu association, devoted to promote urban orchards in Zabalgana. Participants were also able to speak with members of Zabalgana Batuz (check Annexe I for further information about bike tracks during guided visits).

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MONDAY

May 15

TUESDAY

May 16

WEDNESDAY

May 17

THURSDAY

May 18

FRIDAY

May 19

SATURDAY

May 20

SUNDAY

May 21

Morning – Intro to VG >>>9.30 Olarizu Reception + Documents 10:00-11:30 Intro to VG / Context Luis A. ORIVE+ Ane/ Juan / Yon / Blanca 11:30 Break 12:00-12:30 by BIKE to ATARIA Yo n 12:30-13:30 intro to ATARIA (video) Gorka + Yon

Morning – Intro to VG

>>>9.00 Palacio Europa by foot + tram SIVU Visit – Urban Green Infrastructure System Blanca +Luis 9.00 Avenida Gasteiz Eduardo 10:00 Green roof Txusto 10.30 Green Fachade Agusti 11:00 – 11.30 break 11:30 LAKUA Neighbourhood Eduardo + Txusto Blanca

Morning – CEA/ESF-led Visit to Study Areas

>>>9.00 San Martin pick up Bikes ZABALGANA Visit: neighbourhood & park 9:30 Park Management Eduardo 11:00 Biodiversity/Water Luis Lobo 12:30-13:00 Break 13:00 COMMUNITY * Zabalortu Juan /Ane

Morning – CEA/ESF-led Visit to Transect Study Areas

NEIGHBOURHOOD VISIT

Morning – CEA/ESF-led Visit to Transect Study

Areas

NEIGHBOURHOOD VISIT

Free Time

Mid-Day – Lunch 13:30 ATARIA

Mid-Day – Lunch LAKUA

Mid-Day – Lunch UNIVERSITY

Mid-Day – Lunch CITY/ UNIVERSITY

Mid-Day – Lunch CITY/ UNIVERSITY

Afternoon – Intro to VG GREEN BELT Visit (North) By Bike to 14:30 Salburua wetland 16:00 Alegria river 17:00 Zadorra river Luis A. ORIVE+ Yon Leave Bikes in San Martin

Afternoon – Introduction to Interdisciplinary Design

Charrette: Study Areas, Project Teams,

Expectations, etc.;

Lecture/Discussion on Urban Ecosystem Design I (Carter/Diemont)

Afternoon – Interdisciplinary Design Charrette:

Lecture/Discussion on Urban Ecosystem Design II

(Carter/Diemont); Begin Studio Work – Transect Area

Analysis

Afternoon – Interdisciplinary Design Charrette

(Carter/Diemont): Studio Work – Transect/Urban Area

Analysis:

Issues, Opportunities, Constraints; Goals, Objectives,

Programming

Afternoon – Interdisciplinary Design

Charrette (Carter/Diemont): Studio

Work – Initial & Intermediate

Schematics

Arrive in Vitoria-Gasteiz

Evening/Free Time, Dinner, Bed

Evening – Free Time, Dinner, Bed

Evening – Free Time

Diner, Bed

Evening – Free Time, Dinner,Bed

Evening – Free Time, Dinner, Bed

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Zabalgana neighbourhood analysis

Spatial configuration

Zabalgana Neighbourhood, located in the western outskirt of Vitoria-Gasteiz, is a recent residential blocks area constructed during the last few decades in different property development plans.

Over-sized public space is the first characteristic in drawing attention when observing the landscape; wide avenues with several traffic tracks, along with a plenty number of vacantplots, a substantial lack of public service facilities and green areas without linkage or consensus. Bike tracks cross only main avenues on the neighbourhood, but they do not traverse secondary streets. Due to this scheme, it can be said that the subject of urban planning has been private cars instead of inhabitants.As a cause of its peri-urban location, its recent development and therefore its need of entrenchness, and despite the existence of three bus lines, Zabalgana is not fully integrated in the urban network of Vitoria-Gasteiz, effectively visually and bio-culturally disconnected from the rest of the city and the rural and industrial surroundings.

Railway tracks also contribute in this disconnection issue by creating a barrier between north and south, therefore diminishing integration. Vacant lots play a part in creating and insecurity atmosphere within the neighbourhood.

In spite of that, there are numerous possibilities to tackle, due to multiplicity of vacant areas, along with the existence of main avenues (Avenida Zabalgana, Avenida de los DerechosHumanos, Avenida de las Naciones Unidas) and its strategic location with respect to Green Belt (as a buffer between Armentia and Zabalgana forests), croplands, industrial area and city centre. Indeed, multi-use green infrastructure can be developed in this area, therefore effectively helping to create ecological corridors which can be integrated in the city. Those corridors may connect, improve and consolidate previous green areas, securing a continuous ecological flux across the neighbourhood.

Rivers as opportunities

Ali and Zarauna seasonal channelled creeks traverse from south to north and are key features when connecting the ecological flux network. In despite

of their actual anthropic state, both hidromorphological and botanical dimensions (specially significant is Ali creek, with gabions along the riversides), they represent a notorious potential to become an ecological corridors and indeed, efforts are being made to re-naturalize them.

Society and culture

When studying a neighbourhood which is still under construction, it is common to find a lack of identity, entrenchment and space-appropriation, caused among others, due to the lack of services and facilities. Despite the great number of under-age inhabitants, schools are not capable of admit all of them, and it is frequent that many children have to move to other schools in the city and by means of this, help to make deeper the lack of linkage to its neighbourhood.

Other interesting phenomenon to take into account in neighbourhood´s demography is the great number of migrant inhabitants (2.118 people, almost 1 out of 10) 4 even though does not mean by itself a cultural integration. In fact, there is a more concerning lack of cultural spaces

which, among providing opportunities of leisure activities, may also generate opportunities to multicultural neighbours interaction.Nevertheless, Zabalgana also counts with a great number of young familias which came from other areas of Vitoria-Gasteiz. This group apparently are considered to have a strong link with the territory, and therefore they may be aware of social benefits derived from Green Belt nearby and inner-city green infrastructure. This fact may result a great strength whenimproving livability.

At the same time, multiple neighbourly initiatives such as Zabalgana Batuz or Zabalortu have arisen in Zabalgana. Zabalortu is a project of self-managed urban orchard with three main goals; self-production, educative purposes and a consolidation of a socio-cultural space for socializing5. Indeed, it is likely that social and educative demands may be soon supplied by the opening of Civic Centre of Zabalgana and a high school in the near future, which may also serve as a booster of entrenchment between the youngest, in order to ensure a self-constructed identity in the future and the practice of a communitary life.

(4) Ayuntamiento de Vitoria-Gasteiz (2016). Informe de pobla-ción Vitoria-Gasteiz 2016. Recuperado el 29 de mayo del 2017, en https://www.vitoria-gasteiz.org/wb021/http/contenidosEsta-ticos/adjuntos/es/40/39/64039.pdf (5) Zabalortu (2017). Huertos urbanos en Vitoria-Gasteiz. Recu-perado el 30 de mayo del 2017, en: http://www.zabalortu.org/quienes-somos/pagina-ejemplo/

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Methodology

In order to develop new ideas to Zabalgana, an interdisciplinary design charrette methodology were chosen. This is base don a collaborative process linked to reflective groups. Each of the participants come from different disciplines, so as the development of a common strategy includes perspective from different knowledge fields.

Discussion of proposals between the participants implies enrichment of initial strategies, plans and projects, therefore it is an iterative process with an strong interdisciplinary component.

Particularly for this workshop, three teams were formed. Each interdisciplinary team were formed by two members of CEA Green Lab and three SUNY students. Workshop started with visits to different points of Green Belts, and specially of Zabalgana, as it was study area. By means of teamwork, different proposals of environmental improvement were developed.

Intermediate results obtained in the different teams were showed in a presentation which counted with the presence of technical staff of the City Council and CEA, so as, once collected their concerns, comments and insights, teamwork could continue working on its strategy. Final versions were shared again in a presentation to the city council technical staff.

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Project 1ZABALGANA GREEN CORRIDOR

Theoretical Framework

Zabalgana new neighbourhood represents a non-consolidated neighbourhood prototype. Prominent residential blocks concentrates lives in heights and over-sized avenues and public spaces implies an unlinking relation between citizen and neighbourhood.

We point out existing active systems of vegetation, rivers and public facilities as those through dynamics flow and neighbour synergies concentrate. Overlapped to the last three systems mentioned is communication roads system, which improves commutes tothe resto f the city but reduces movement of local fluxes.

Purpose

We propose to strengthen city axis which connect Prado Park (s. XIX) with Zabalgana Park (s. XXI) as green and social corridor to serve as freeway of species and matter and attract to it local social activity. This axis will be conceived as linear educational equipment, as in its walkabout shows progressive historical, stylistic and botanical transition and uses transition.

Strategy

-biodiversity improvement-activity attractor -movementeaser

Therfore here we present an array of tactics which may help continuity issues of corridor when meeting streets, rivers, parks and public squares.

Street(example: Bulevar de Mariturri)

In order to reverse current transport hierarchy and prioritize ecosystem flux over car traffic flux, we propose:-Bulk vegetation on both sides of roads-Paving texture shifting to announce the corridor-Signage and painting work in the paving to meet its new corridor identity-Temporary occupation of vacant roads with public markets, fairs, sport contests…

Workteam 1

Ibon Doval Landscape architectureElsa Ullmann Agronomic EngineeringCrystal Peritz Landscape ArchitectureJay Lambrix Environmental Community Land PlanningMaisie Baronian Environmental Sciences

Cross-section of road adapted to the corridor

Coloured road sample

Paving texture shifting sample

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Eco-social corridor proposal connecting existent vegetation, rivers and social equipments (red elements), avoiding discontinuity of transportation systems.

Gradient concept

Strategy and tactics

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Forest and river park

With a view to integrate river with human activity, we propose:-Adaptation of flood abatement areas along with recreational areas-Riverside terracing to make it accesible until the river channel.-Meeting point, edible forest, agro-forestry and educational functions.

Urban park(example: Salinillas de Buradón)

With the view to densify current park and turn i tinto an “urbanized forest”:-Reverse current open area to smaller spaces within the tree thickness, where activity is attracted.-Playscapes installation, integrated with the landscape, and avoiding uniform typical array of playground facilities.

Square(example: Plaza Labastida)

In order to easing cohabitation between neighbours and green corridor, we therefore propose:-Multiply neighbourly activity by means of public participation.-Workshops dedicated to integrate corridor design within public space.

Section of square adapted to the corridorCross-section of forest park adapted to the corridor

Cross-section of river adapted to the corridor

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Conclussion

This proposal intends to demonstrate that to a consolidation of a renewed axis it is necessary the work of all part-ners involved and to all scales of ac-tion. At a small scale, actions led by neighbours, like coloured roads, va-cant roads occupation or local festi-vals, will draw first scenarios. From that point on, activities scheduled with di-fferent management scenarios will be carried out, which also may serve on the future as identity icons.

First steps and organized vindication are only the preliminary stage of further amendment works carried out by institutions, which may be accepted by citizenship an therefore they may contribute to corridor continuity.

On the long run, mature first-step projects and community involvement from the beginning may help to reinforce the eco-social corridor.

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Project 2IMPROVING CITIZENS’ WELLBEING THROUGH ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

Theoretical Framework

Ecosystem’s and biodiversity functions and structures are the base for Ecosystem Services (ES) generation; which are understood as (in)direct benefits for human wellbeing. Those benefits are whether provisioning, regulating, supporting or cultural services. In order to alleviate the great pressure urban areas have on other ecosystems, cities must be considered as a socio-ecosystem able to provide the maximum services within their territories.

Integrating local communities in natural restoration is a key point in order to achieve a long term sustainable project. An active and solid social network is the base on which environmental sustainability must to be worked and built. In doing so, Bio-cultural Restoration proposes to involve human values in ecological restoration.Zabalgana neighbourhood offers a great opportunity for ES improvement because of its environmental elements and its limited and still under construction consolidation comparing to more mature neighbourhoods near by.

Objectives

The main objective is to improve neighbours’ wellbeing through Bio-cultural Restoration of ES provided by different environmental elements within the neighbourhood.Firstly, the environmental features within the neighbourhood were analysed. Three environmental units were identified as those with more potential to provide ES. These units were considered as three basic layers to configure Zabalgana’s environmental structure over superposition of them:

1. Structural base. A green and blue corridor configured by both Ali and Zarauna fluvial system along with the lineal structure resulting by hiding the current railway.

2. Connective system. Green spaces in plentiful medians and roundabout are spaces of opportunities for connectivity between all the different environmental units. 3. Extensions. Abundant vacant plots hold a great potential for improving ES, thought as meeting point spaces for community building and social networking.

All these different elements of the broader system configure the environmental strategy design (picture 2.1), gathering together the various proposals for each layer.

Workteam 2

Itsasne Mendiberri Jaurena Environmental SciencesMarta Hernández Arroyo BiologyCorinne Healy HidrologyRobert Pedian BiologyJoshua Willcox Landscape Architecture

(picture 2.1) Environmental strategy configured by the superposition of three structural layers.

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Challenges, opportunities and proposals for actions

Secondly, opportunities for several actions over the three different layers were identified.

1. Green/blue corridor

From current features, opportunities for improvement along the fluvial system and the lineal structure resulting from railway hiding were identified.

Fluvial system

Focusing on Zarauna river as its riverbed and vegetation hold agreater potential of improvement. The proposal aspects to be improved are the following:-to improve interaction of river with pedestrian-to improve the riverbed as a green infrastructure and aesthetical potential-to increase hydrological features for changing water flows and volumes

Based on the differential opportunities to work on the former aspects it has been proposed three different locations along the riverbed to carry out different actions of improvement

(picture 2.2)

Action 1. To install a low retaining wall in order to maintain a shallow sheet ofwater to increase habitat diversity (picture 2.3)

Action 2. To create transition places for vegetation over the gabions as well as a pedestrian path along the riverbed (picture 2.4)

Action 3. To improve the aesthetical value by including artistic elements inorder to attract neighbourhoods to the place and raise the sense of place and identity (picture 2.4)

Picture 2.2. Ubication proposed for improve-ment actions along Ali riverbed

Picture 2.3. Maintaining a shallow sheet of water in a wide site of Zarauna riverbed

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Railway

- to increase its potential to became a connector through the neighbourhood along with other green areas around the city.- to alleviate health negative consequences (i.e. loud noise from trains).

Taking advantage of the great connectivity potencial resulting from hiding the railway, we propose to build up a lineal park to connect Florida Park (incide the city) and Florida Park (Western green belt).

All these actions are aimed to configure the lineal structures from both the fluvial system and the railway in order to provide different ES working on the connectivity for fauna, flora at meanwhile conforming a place for neighbours to use and enjoy.

Ubicación de las acciones de mejora propues-tas en el cauce del río Armentia

Picture 2.4. Trasition site for vegetation over gabions and pedestrian path accesible for people with different movility needs. Spaces for artistic performances

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2. Medians and roundabout system

Currently, routs and roads for traffic within Zabalgana are based on a medians and roundabouts system isolated among them. In order to transform this space in a fauna and flora refuge (amphibians, reptiles, birds) it is proposed to create different connected habitats and allow a safe crossing point between several green areas. Food and refuge needs must to be covered. The proposal also considers the advantage of decreasing traffic noise. The proposal is based on the following actions:

Action 1. To set up appropriate habitat covering flora and small fauna needs (picture 2.5)

Action 2. To create small fauna crossing points connecting medians ans roundabouts. It is proposed to build a communication network of circular section connecting both elements. Depending on each road features it is proposed to build underground channels or speed bombs (picture 2.6 and 2.7).

The objective of these actions is to allow the interchange and safe movement for small fauna between medians, roundabouts and the rest of green infrastructure in order to maintain or increase the biodiversity in Zabalgana.

Picture 2.5. Details of medians and roundabouts as habitats for flora and small fauna.

Picture 2.6-2.7. Network connection for small fauna through underground channels and speed bombs.

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3. Vacant plots

Zabalgana has plentiful vacant plots with great potential to provide ES andbecame meeting points for neighbourhoods. In some of them, there are plans for building public equipment in future. Thus, it is proposed to improve environmental condictions through small initiatives with limited investment, easy to reproduce in different plots and easy to restructure for future uses.

The proposal is base in three different scenarios of future that can be followed one by each other through natural succession (figure 2.1). This management of the space allows to:

-provide different ES through the different natural stages of the space.

-decrease its maintenance and thus increase its sustainability.

-set up flexible and versatile places in order to meet the changing neighbours needs in different moments.

-direct interaction of local community with nature through green infrastructure, creating key elements for Bio-cultural Restoration.

In stage 1 it is proposed to set up an urban allotment combining crops and little fruit trees growing until they became young in stage 2 over 5-10 years. In this moment part sun crops could be included in the design. Over 15-20 years, in stage 3 there would be mature fruit trees. Although each stage could provide a great diversity of ES, those would be changing depending on the natural features. In stage 1 of urban allotments, cultural services are the most representative by allowing community building and sense of place and identity.

Conclussion

Different actions proposed in this strategy are aimed to improve environmental features in Zabalgana based on ES and bio-cultural Restoration principles. In order to do that, the implementation would work on connectivity improvement of different elements and integrating civil society in configuring the environmental dimension of the neighbourhood. However, providing particular ES often implies a trade-off as it frequently goes in damaging others. Thus, implementing each

Figure 2.1. Bio-cultural Restoration in vacant plots base on natural sucesión

action requires an in-deep study of local socio-environmental features as well as the needs claimed by the neighbours. From this prospect, possible conflicts over decision making process (services conflicts, land uses, public space, etc) could be addressed from a holistic and integrating perspective.

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Project 3ECOSYSTEM SERVICES INTEGRATION

Theoretical framework

It sets the basis of an urban planning methodology based on conceptual items of ecosystem analysis, to apply them to the pioneer community of periurban neighbourhoods. One of the axis relies on understanding the city as a social happening, along with avoiding the artificial separation of it and biophysical fluxes. Therefore urban planning in vacant lots and its link with surrounding green infrastructure arise from the horizontality between natural, social and transport vectors within the city.

Urban ecosystem should be managed from actions oriented to key species, as it is assumed that supplying its needs, the requirements of the rest (social, physical and biological stakeholders) will be supplied as well.

Selecting a key species in this sort of planning purgues a redirectioning ofplanning subject, with a view to achieve a more accessible and livable city.Urban ecosystem concept allows to avoid divisions between human interests, natural interests or tamed nature, therefore allowing a

conciliation within the uses in the eco-civil node.

It is considered important to recover links and historical structures in theneighbourhoods which were born within an urban sprawl scheme. With the purpose of easing the entrenchment and therefore the success in the ecosystem functions restoration.

Restoration projects must be based in use transition both in time and space,regarding the urgency of intervention and the amount of vacant lots. Thiscomes from considering the neighbourhood as a living organism, in whichpresent requirements differ from future ones. During planning, there must bemade also an effort to maximize the restorative actions value, thereforeinterventions over identified eco-civil nodes will be prioritized, regarding their potential to attract neighbours as forced-interaction areas (schools, health centers, markets), which may help the desired process of non-planned emergent uses.

Building on that, it is also suggested as basic axis of proposal, the subordination

of interventions to hierarchy of uses in materials and technics selected in the project, preferring first the reused material of previous interventions or infrastructures, then those local techniques and materials, and last those materials which can be certified somehow as subjected to a sustainability standard.

Oportunidades y propuestas

There is a need of recovering the human scale in Zabalgana, due to overscaled public spaces, the hyper-planning and the subordination of life to car traffic, threat the deve-lopment and the entrenchment of social networks and also ecosystem connectivity, both keys to neighbour-hood-ecosystem- and species –stake-holders- survival.

Identifying nodes in territory with high density of interactions allows to redi-rect strategies of densification to spe-cific plots, so as social network could be progressively strengthen by suita-bility analysis and effort concentra-tion (assess from systemic approach and adapt from a site development approach of each eco-civil node).

Workteam 3

Cristina Galiana Carballo Natural Environment EngineeringJon Cadierno Gutiérrez GeographyKirsten McGiver BiologyAlden Morris Landscape ArchitectureKatelyn Kaim Environmental Law

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Key ideas of this methodological proposal are:

-Operate using transition, both in time as in space.-Bring to the present cultural and historical heritage.-Strengthen inter-generational links between the neighbours.

-Optimize use overlapping both in time and space by means of low-intensityinterventions and based on key species.-Achieve proper transition and industrial, rural, forestry and residential uses overlapping.

Results

Neighbourhood analysis under the proposed methodology suggest themaximization of uses, interests and requirements supply, selecting as basic axis for planning the Madrid-Irun railway tracks, which may become anunderground line in the next few

decades.

Redensifying strategy based on multivariable analysis is shown in 3.1 figure.

Figure 3.1. Redensifying strategy by key sections for Zabalgana neighbourhood.

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Cross-sections (3.2, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5 figures) serve to identify areas prone to be restored and adapted, where ecosystem services are maximized, both environmental and social, and allow to display uses overlapping in time and space.

1. With regard to Project it is recommended the mixture of leisure, educational and sustainable transport while improving the water percolation and underwater system charge as well as habitat ammendment, by means of a slight redensify of green cover byautochthonous fruit trees and shrubsplantations. Those plantations along with the avoidance of concrete surfaces will allow a patchy habitat, recreational area and water catchment process area between creek riversides and railway tracks.

2. Maximize patchy habitat, which is considered positive both for fauna as for inbuilt natural and cultural landscape quality. Productive, recreational and regulative functions are ensured, acting the plantations as sound and visual screens to traffic, which is maintained in main avenues combined with commuting bikepaths from city centre to Jundiz industrial area.

3. Seasonal creek represent a low ecological value as corridor, as it is channelled. Although it may function as water and matter corridor and serve as habitat if green cover typical of seasonal creeks is maintained.Also related to autochthonous edibleforest project (Sorbus domestica, Corylus avellana).

4 y 5. Given the huge amount of vacant space in the surroundings of forcedinteraction nodes where railway tracks cross Avenida Zabalgana, two pilot plots have been selected to explore emergent uses from minimal ammendments. First amendment consists of tradicional water source conditioning, while the other one is designed as a non-excluding nature playground, which also counts with shadow areas through a green canopy.Both projects work as ecological corridors for different species and as public space use´s boosters. When avoiding hyperplanning, both efficiency, biodiversity and social agents requirements can be met. Proposal also is based in site development approach principles,

which take into account topography, previous equipment and current desire paths).

Shadow areas are designed to encourage the public space use when meteorological conditions are restrictive.

Emergent uses exploration in the area identified as forced-interaction node is showed in picture 2 to 3 (before and after proposal) and 4 to five (idem), for both amendment prototypes. This infrastructures are designed to meet uses conciliation, ecosystem connectivity vectors, fill-up ofunderused vacant space, also vulnerable to degradation, reused materials use and a consolidation of cultural, historical, generational and ecological network in the neighbourhood.

Fig. 3.2 Railway tracks to green belt

Fig. 3.3 Crops to railway tracks

Fig. 3.4 Seasonal creek to railway tracks

Fig. 3.5 Escuela infantil y de primaria a vías del ferrocarril

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WATER SOURCE CONDITIONING

Project tasks:-Municipal water source conditioning, respecting traditional materials and techniques (regional through style).-Desire paths conditioning (i.e. with wood boards).-Conversion of railway tracks at their end-of-life to commuting bikepaths from city centre to industrial area of Jundiz.-Green area without mowers, therefore respecting natural regeneration of ground seed bank and previously planted species. Concept of “garden on the move”.

Uses and opportunities:-Pollinators corridor and natural regeneration area. Accesible shortcutpath.-Sustainable transport corridor from city centre to industrial area (Jundiz).

Enhancement of sustainable mobility.

Emergent uses:-Citizenship´s use speculation area. Meeting point.-Neighborly space appropriation (i.e. by urban orchards, spontaneously created).-Spontaneus playgrround area (water source becomes essential in dry season).-Visual rest from buiildings sight and restoration of an area prone to degradation as an llegal landfill.-Visual-landscape continuity and uses continuity, with respect to gardened adjoining Ariznabarra green areas.

NATURE PLAYGROUND AREA

Project tasks:-Trunks gathering, non-planned distribution of logs from near forests used as under passes –shelters, taking advantage of existing topography.-Green canopy made of plastic bottles with local schools or associations labour support. It is included wood trunks as pergola for indigenous and deciduous climbing plants (Vinis vinitifera) and also erratic plantation of aromatic species (Lavandula sp). On the top of the plastic bottle canopy.-Conversion of railway tracks at their end-of-life to commuting bikepaths from city centre to industrial area of Jundiz.-Green area without mowers, therefore respecting natural regeneration of ground seed bank and previously planted species. Concept of “garden on the move”.

Uses and opportunities:-Playground area is not an excluding infrastructure, as a typical playground may appear, but an opportunity to allow plays and meeting, and other emergent uses. Topography on pilot plot also allows adults to supervise children and it is also expected that the area will be mainly enjoyed by children.-Pollinators corridor and natural regeneration area.-Use periods are enlarged by the shadow and microclimate provided by green canopy in dry season.-Sustainable transport corridor from city centre to industrial area (Jundiz). Enhancement of sustainable mobility.

Usos emergentes:-Meeting point.-Natural colonization of pioneer spe-cies both in canopy and in green area (microhabitat development).-Visual rest from buildings sight.

Picture 2. Eco-civil node (east adjoining plot to CEP Zabalgana). Main use previous project tasks.

Picture 4. Eco-civil node (west plot adjoining to Ariznabarra and Zabalgana avenue). Main use previous project: walk and dog walking area.

Picture 3. Eco-civil node (east adjoining plot to CEP Zabalgana) after project tasks.

Imagen 5. Eco-civil node. Main determined uses and other emergent uses explored.

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Conclussion

Measure implementation oriented to an increase in connectivity (within theneighbourhood and among neighbourhood and surrounding systems), along with the ecological and social integration (without dismissing sustainable mobility systemscheme) , should avoid hyper-planning when designing public facilities in vacant plots. Time dimension must also not be forgotten in provisionary designs. Conflict between urban planning and sustainability must be overcome by means of shifting operation&design criteria on vacant plots.

An useful tool to optimize available resources could be based on the identification of torced-interaction nodes (bio&social interactions), so as to allocate resources to the minimum ammendment of vacant plots (which will become eco-civil nodes), takinginto account all stakeholders of urban ecosystem, regardless its procedence.

Operation&design criteria, should incluye an overlapping of uses in time and space, and a strong intention of adapting city to most vulnerable species requirements.

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CONCLUSSIÓNS

The development of the “Green Infrastructure and Landscape International Workshop” through a collaborative, interdisciplinary and iterative teamwork methodology, has made possible to reach a series of complementary and convergent conclusions. This means an important enrichment when compared to other workshops, advancing indeed the identification of weaknesses and opportunities towards the improvement of green infrastructure based on flow consolidation and social-ecological functions in Zabalgana neighbourhood.

The consolidation of a green axe between Zabalgana forest and El Prado park is characterized by a time-space graduation through the connection of 19th century parks (El Prado park) with 21st century new parks (Zabalgana), and by the use of decreasing gradients of green space density. One of the biggest virtues of this corridor is its symbolism and education potential, as it offers the chance of developing specific actions that could help consolidating an eco-social axe where every agent (including community) is represented and also involved from cradle to grave.

This point of view means referring to a sort of governance that leaves behind the most hierarchical processes and looks for more horizontal and democratic interactions.

Besides, a neighbourhood is expected to be where pedestrians have more preference than private vehicles, something that could be achieved through a new interpretation of textures that could reverse the green infrastructure and traffic truck hierarchy. This “humanization” of the space can be complemented through small-scale actions guided by neighbours, such as street and store painting, occupation of vacant roads, neighbourhood celebrations, etc. From this point on, and thanks to different management models in these scenarios, organised activities would be installed which might serve later on as new forms of neighbourhood identity.

The connectivity of the different elements and the integration of civil society in the ecological dimension of the neighbourhood is transcendental for the improvement of the ecological conditions in Zabalgana, based on Environmental Services and Bio-

Cultural Restoration. Based on that, we consider rivers as places with great potential of becoming spaces of opportunity. Nevertheless, owing to the fact that supplying certain services usually leads to the detriment of others, the implementation of each initiative requires a deep research about the local social-ecological characteristics and about the neighbours’ claims. This way, the decision-making about possible conflicts (services, land use, public space, etc.) can be addressed from a holistic and integrative perspective.

The implementation of measures oriented to the improvement of connectivity (inside the neighbourhood and between the neighbourhood and the surrounding systems), the ecological and social integration and the promotion of sustainable mobility, should avoid the “hyper planning” when managing vacant lots, taking into account the time dimension. A useful tool for optimizing the available resources is the identification of forced-interaction nodes (of social and biological type), in order to assign resources for reconditioning eco-civil nodes and building opportunity spaces with

emergent uses. With this active germ and the organised recognition, the first constructions of minimum conditioning by the administration could appear, which would be warmly received by the neighbours and could reinforce the continuity of the green corridor.

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ANEXO

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GREEN BELT VISIT (North)

May 16 2017GREEN LAB / LANDSCAPE WORK-SHOP

Proposed route: !- Dehesa House, headquarters2- Salburua district; Errekaleor river3- Salburua wetland; Ataria center4- Alegría river5- Zadorra riiver6- Abetxuko orchasds

ZABASLGANA DISTRICT

VISIT

May 18 2017

GREEN LAB / LANDSCAPE WORK-SHOP

Proposed route: !- 9:30 h. Let's go!2- Bridge over railtrain: green areas management3- Urban river4- 11:00 h. Biodiversity, water management5- 13:00 h. Comunity, Zabalortu