Camellia Urban Park
Basic information
Project Title
Camellia Urban Park
Full project title
Camelia Urban Park - Laboratory for EMAAC
Category
Reconnecting with nature
Project Description
The Camellia Park with 2.5 hectares, is located on a natural theater slope that embraces the center of the city of Braga, within an extensive area of green spaces and facilities, covering approximately 60 acre. In addition to the urban landscape, environmental, social, cultural, and educational benefits of rehabilitating this space, it has become a living laboratory for experimenting with climate change adaptation solutions in an urban setting, aligned with the Municipal Climate Adaptation.
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
Braga City, Portugal
Urban or rural issues
Mainly urban
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
EU Programme or fund
Yes
Which funds
Other
Other Funds
With an investment of 331,000 euros, 42% co-financed by POSEUR, economic objectives were also achieved, including a good cost-benefit ratio and low-maintenance landscaping that doesn't compromise aesthetic, ecological and functional goals.<br />
Description of the project
Summary
The Camellia Park was an abandoned and neglected area, causing people to avoid the place. With the rehabilitation of this space, residents, workers, and visitors now can enjoy a green, clean, well-kept, accessible, inclusive and educational area.
The Camellia Park with 2,5 hectares, is located on a natural theatre slope that embraces the centre of the city of Braga, within an extensive area of green spaces and facilities. In addition to the urban landscape, environmental, social, cultural, and educational benefits of rehabilitating this space, it has become a living laboratory for experimenting with climate change adaptation solutions in an urban setting, aligned with the Braga Climate Adaptation Strategy.
The Camellia Park with 2,5 hectares, is located on a natural theatre slope that embraces the centre of the city of Braga, within an extensive area of green spaces and facilities. In addition to the urban landscape, environmental, social, cultural, and educational benefits of rehabilitating this space, it has become a living laboratory for experimenting with climate change adaptation solutions in an urban setting, aligned with the Braga Climate Adaptation Strategy.
Key objectives for sustainability
The Camellia Park (named after the local toponymy) was abandoned and neglected, causing people to avoid The project's main sustainable objectives lie with the value of creating a Living Laboratory for Climate Change, which could be used as an experimenting living place with different tools for the Municipal Climate Adaptation Strategy.
This park is a reference for climate change sustainability, it is centrally located, near the Este river where a green infrastructure meets a blue one, enhancing the potential for reducing various climate change risks, such as mitigating the urban heat island effect and providing relief from heatwaves. Also, can bring benefits on preventing flash floods or droughts. To maximise the increasing of the biodiversity, rain water was used as well as the water well to watering the existing plants. Also it was proceeded to the afforestation prioritizing native species, namely, Ilex aquifolium, Arbutus unedo, Quercus suber, Quercus robur, Betula pendula, and Crataegus monogyna, among others. Also the spontaneous plants, including honey-bearing flowers, were sown, resulting in numerous blooms and pollinators in spring, providing an opportunity for environmental education.
This intervention promoted pedestrian and bicycle mobility and improved safety through shorter, accessible, inclusive and secure routes, making walking and cycling more attractive (15 minutes city). Permeable paths allow rainwater infiltration, and the utilization of the existing tank and well enables effective water management, storing excess water and using it during dry periods, mitigating flood and drought peaks. Succulent plants (Sedum neotuf) were used for the green roof on the camping ground reception building, as they are low-maintenance and lightweight.
This park is a reference for climate change sustainability, it is centrally located, near the Este river where a green infrastructure meets a blue one, enhancing the potential for reducing various climate change risks, such as mitigating the urban heat island effect and providing relief from heatwaves. Also, can bring benefits on preventing flash floods or droughts. To maximise the increasing of the biodiversity, rain water was used as well as the water well to watering the existing plants. Also it was proceeded to the afforestation prioritizing native species, namely, Ilex aquifolium, Arbutus unedo, Quercus suber, Quercus robur, Betula pendula, and Crataegus monogyna, among others. Also the spontaneous plants, including honey-bearing flowers, were sown, resulting in numerous blooms and pollinators in spring, providing an opportunity for environmental education.
This intervention promoted pedestrian and bicycle mobility and improved safety through shorter, accessible, inclusive and secure routes, making walking and cycling more attractive (15 minutes city). Permeable paths allow rainwater infiltration, and the utilization of the existing tank and well enables effective water management, storing excess water and using it during dry periods, mitigating flood and drought peaks. Succulent plants (Sedum neotuf) were used for the green roof on the camping ground reception building, as they are low-maintenance and lightweight.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The restoration of the park had the objective of giving back to the city a green central area with leisure space were families and schools could embrace Nature. Also, is a place where it’s displaced urban art, like, for example the piece of art named “Vitrais” inspired on religious art, given from a local construction company which used leftover metal sheets and colored acrylics, it shows a bit of the local culture, because Braga is known as the Portuguese Rome due to it many churches. The Art in Public Space and Sustainability Award is an innovative initiative that delivers sustainable artistic works made from waste to the public space of the city of Braga. A sundial is expected to be installed soon. The park created a visually pleasing environment that enhances human well-being and comfort for those accessing or having visual access to the area. It simultaneously enhances the ecological, functional and aesthetic value of the area. The rebuilds of a traditional wall and the gate made with ancient techniques was preserved as well has the gate. Traditional benches called “namoradeiras” (loveseats) were built they are very typical of this region
Key objectives for inclusion
The park is a very inclusive and friendly space for all individuals and families. With the rehabilitation of this dirty and neglected area into a park, significant improvements have been made for residents and visitors. It has become a recreational and leisure space with amenities like picnic tables, trash bins, benches, a Children's Playground, Dog Park and an Outdoor Fitness Park. Shorter, accessible, inclusive and secure paths have reduced distances between residential areas and public facilities, benefiting the urban environment and the life of the people using them.
This intervention promoted pedestrian and bicycle mobility and improved safety through shorter, accessible, inclusive, and secure routes, making walking and cycling more attractive. A viewpoint with benches provides a comfortable and efficient place for teaching, with nearby parking and access for people with reduced mobility.
This intervention promoted pedestrian and bicycle mobility and improved safety through shorter, accessible, inclusive, and secure routes, making walking and cycling more attractive. A viewpoint with benches provides a comfortable and efficient place for teaching, with nearby parking and access for people with reduced mobility.
Results in relation to category
The development of urban areas is one of the vectors of spatial planning reform, which has been implemented over the last few years. This reform has also promoted a new way of looking at the city and looking at what already exists.
The first goal was to give back this abandoned space to the city, providing a leisure place, which was succeeded. Students from the Professional School of Braga (which is very nearby), benefit from the picnic tables and leisure areas.
We have already come across citizens who have made a habit of going to that space every day to walk their dogs as it is a space close to their home with marked paths, benches and water points. Many people use the park as an alternative way to travel, on foot or by bike, reducing car use.
The park also represents an asset for residents of social housing and new developments, offering a space for socialization, recreation, and leisure, with shorter and safer pedestrian connections.
The first goal was to give back this abandoned space to the city, providing a leisure place, which was succeeded. Students from the Professional School of Braga (which is very nearby), benefit from the picnic tables and leisure areas.
We have already come across citizens who have made a habit of going to that space every day to walk their dogs as it is a space close to their home with marked paths, benches and water points. Many people use the park as an alternative way to travel, on foot or by bike, reducing car use.
The park also represents an asset for residents of social housing and new developments, offering a space for socialization, recreation, and leisure, with shorter and safer pedestrian connections.
How Citizens benefit
The first aim was to give back this abandoned space to the city, providing a natural and leisure place. Also, the municipality needed a place which could be used as a laboratory for environmental education purposes. Experimenting with local endemic species and local materials for the reconstruction of the structures. Citizens can rest on their benches, hang out around a table with board games or picnics, go for a walk, see the view, observe nature, find a cooler place for summer days, or simply cut down on their commute time because walking or cycling reduces the time spent in traffic going around the entire block by car.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Innovative character
The project's innovative value lies in creating a Living Laboratory for the Climate Change, making this park a reference for climate change sustainability with rainwater storage, reuse of pre-existing structures, construction of a green roof and information panels as well as a planned location for classes on the topic of climate change and ecosystem services.
It is centrally located, near the Este river where a green infrastructure meets a blue one, enhancing the potential for reducing various climate change risks, such as mitigating the urban heat island effect and providing relief from heatwaves.
The paths used compacted gravel (permeable to rainwater). Traditionally Portuguese pavement and parking areas were made from blue granite from the region. Wooden fences, as well as tables and benches in one of the picnic areas were constructed from logs.
It was chosen predominantly native flora that is better adapted to the local climate and more robust, requiring less maintenance and irrigation.
It is centrally located, near the Este river where a green infrastructure meets a blue one, enhancing the potential for reducing various climate change risks, such as mitigating the urban heat island effect and providing relief from heatwaves.
The paths used compacted gravel (permeable to rainwater). Traditionally Portuguese pavement and parking areas were made from blue granite from the region. Wooden fences, as well as tables and benches in one of the picnic areas were constructed from logs.
It was chosen predominantly native flora that is better adapted to the local climate and more robust, requiring less maintenance and irrigation.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
The project was designed by a landscape architect, who designed a visually pleasing environment that values human well-being and the comfort of those accessing the site, with respect for local tradition, particularly in architectural and cultural terms (walls, gate, tank and loveseats) as well as in terms of ecosystem. It simultaneously increases the ecological, functional and aesthetic value of the area, enabling leisure and recreation activities, minimizing the impact of new developments on the surrounding area and improving the quality of the existing landscape.
Methodology used
All the materials were chosen respecting the local architecture. The stairs, viewpoint (benches) and parking areas are made from blue granite from the region. Wooden fences, as well as tables and benches in one picnic area are constructed from logs. In another picnic area, concrete and steel tables and benches were used, and concrete benches line the paths.
The species chosen were endemic to the region it was planted: Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula pendula, Fraxinus excelcior, Populus × canescens, Prunus avium, Pinus pinaster, Quercus coccinea, Quercus robur, Taxus baccata, Arbutus unedo, Crataegus monogyna, Ilex aquifolium, Prunus lusitanica, juniperus, Lonicera japonica and Rosa canina - along with sowing of Festuca arundinacea, Poa pratensis, and Trifolium repens. Camellia japonica was used due to the local name of the block, called Camélias. Succulent plants (Sedum neotuf) were used for the green roof on the campground reception building, as they are low-maintenance and light weighted. All plants were sourced from a local nursery.
The species chosen were endemic to the region it was planted: Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula pendula, Fraxinus excelcior, Populus × canescens, Prunus avium, Pinus pinaster, Quercus coccinea, Quercus robur, Taxus baccata, Arbutus unedo, Crataegus monogyna, Ilex aquifolium, Prunus lusitanica, juniperus, Lonicera japonica and Rosa canina - along with sowing of Festuca arundinacea, Poa pratensis, and Trifolium repens. Camellia japonica was used due to the local name of the block, called Camélias. Succulent plants (Sedum neotuf) were used for the green roof on the campground reception building, as they are low-maintenance and light weighted. All plants were sourced from a local nursery.
How stakeholders are engaged
The municipality of Braga was financed by PO SEUR - Operational Programme for Sustainability and Efficient Use of Resources and it was involved also Minho University - Department of Biology in which a student carried out her internship inventorying the autochthonous flora and already organized with the Municipality collaboration a public visit, during the Climate Week, last September.
Global challenges
With a view to reducing the temperature in urban areas, the following were carried out:
We are working to the future, trying to mitigate challenging problems by tackling sustainability, climate change and environmental protection with this project.
We are creating a natural ventilation corridor, with trees and shaded areas, guided by the dominant winds (North-South and Northwest-Southeast). We also implemented a green roof made with natural materials, ensuring thermal insulation of a small building. Urban heat islands are well-recognized phenomena, and Braga is no exception. Therefore, this project significantly contributes to mitigating the urban heat island effect. The increased plant density enhances local evapotranspiration and air circulation, helping ventilate the densely urbanized area. Vegetation also improves air quality by capturing particulate matter. Overall, it acts as a carbon sequestration reservoir since the trees will remain in place for many decades. Permeable paths allow rainwater infiltration, and the utilization of the existing tank and well enables effective water management, storing excess water and using it during dry periods, mitigating flood and drought peaks.
There are also informative signs, raising awareness of the issue of climate change.
We are working to the future, trying to mitigate challenging problems by tackling sustainability, climate change and environmental protection with this project.
We are creating a natural ventilation corridor, with trees and shaded areas, guided by the dominant winds (North-South and Northwest-Southeast). We also implemented a green roof made with natural materials, ensuring thermal insulation of a small building. Urban heat islands are well-recognized phenomena, and Braga is no exception. Therefore, this project significantly contributes to mitigating the urban heat island effect. The increased plant density enhances local evapotranspiration and air circulation, helping ventilate the densely urbanized area. Vegetation also improves air quality by capturing particulate matter. Overall, it acts as a carbon sequestration reservoir since the trees will remain in place for many decades. Permeable paths allow rainwater infiltration, and the utilization of the existing tank and well enables effective water management, storing excess water and using it during dry periods, mitigating flood and drought peaks.
There are also informative signs, raising awareness of the issue of climate change.
Learning transferred to other parties
The project's innovative value lies in creating a Living Laboratory for Climate Change, making this park a reference for climate change sustainability, easily replicated in another location:
- Planting native tree and bush species and diverse ground cover through seeding of species resistant to adverse conditions.
- Creating a network of interconnected permeable paths and restoring a disused tank for rainwater collection.
- Installing a green roof on the future Urban Park Interpretation Centre for cooling and thermal insulation, serving as a demonstrative element.
- Hosting a permanent exhibition in the centre, showcasing the different solutions implemented in the project area and their impacts.
- Communicating and disseminating best practices related to climate change adaptation inherent to this project.
- Use of local materials and rebuilding of pre-existing structures (wall, gate, water well and water tank).
- Planting native tree and bush species and diverse ground cover through seeding of species resistant to adverse conditions.
- Creating a network of interconnected permeable paths and restoring a disused tank for rainwater collection.
- Installing a green roof on the future Urban Park Interpretation Centre for cooling and thermal insulation, serving as a demonstrative element.
- Hosting a permanent exhibition in the centre, showcasing the different solutions implemented in the project area and their impacts.
- Communicating and disseminating best practices related to climate change adaptation inherent to this project.
- Use of local materials and rebuilding of pre-existing structures (wall, gate, water well and water tank).
Keywords
Urban green landscape
Clima change
Environment restoration
Social welfair
Long-term well being
