BiodiverCity
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
BiodiverCity is a masterplan in the city of Barcelona that brings the biodiversity-including plants, animals and insects-to the urban context, focusing mainly on the leftover spaces.and discusses how urban agriculture and technology can help people engage in food production in urban public spaces to create a communal productive lifestyle.
Geographical Scope
Project Region
Urban or rural issues
Physical or other transformations
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Description of the project
Summary
The two main objectives of the project are to create a "biodiverse city" and "productive urban spaces".
the first goal is planned to be achieved by connecting the two of the main Barcelona's natural parks on the north with the leftover urban spaces around the existing infrastructures-such as highways and bridges-and create an axis along the Besos river.This axis would be accessible by animals and motivative for insects to live in, with a safe relationship with urban public spaces which are meant to be used by people.
the second objective is to reshape the urban public spaces to create productive landscapes and parks where people can grow food.This new form of productive urban spaces could potentially improve the sense of belonging, responsibility and collaboration as well as relationship with the nature and biodiversity.Furthermore the use of technology would be an important component in terms of increasing efficiency, providing educational materials, motivating users, and connecting people with nature and together.
Key objectives for sustainability
Biodiversity is about the genetic diversity within species, the diversity of habitats, and the large biological units known as bioms, such as the coniferous forest bioms.This diversity of life provides is what provides clean water, oxygen, and all other things that end up being part of our diet.On the other hand, circular economy approaches that invest in the regenerative cycle of nature, can restore ecosystems and services they provide.
In this particular project, revitalizing leftover and polluted urban areas via regenerative agriculture techniques, result the development of strong local food economy in the city.These productive urban spaces offer residents income opportunities and reduce food insecurity.
Moreover, technology as an undeniable powerful element has an important role to play in terms of energy conservation.Solar energy as well as water recycling for irrigation are two examples in the BiodiverCity project.
Eventually the important shift here is to stop thinking of the planet as a physical system but as a linked biological and physical system.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The BiodiverCity project is a true combination of nature and urban living which brings the truly wild nature, including animals, insects and plants, into the city.Consequently a biodiverse city would be a city inside nature while citizens have all the necessities of today's life.Where the urban infrastructures, public transportations, parks, educational activities, residential apartments, etc, would be in direct contact and relationship with wild nature.
Moreover, the urban agricultural plan can reshape the urban life experience as well as the esthetics of the city by reshaping leftover urban spaces.This approach increases the citizen's collaboration in shaping urban spaces and consequently the sense of belonging.
Key objectives for inclusion
Urban agriculture is mentioned to be an effective tool to use urban spaces in a multifunctional way, contributing to several social goals at ones.In the BiodiverCity project, agricultural spaces are meant to be designed in small segments and be rented by citizens.This approach, makes participation in a large scale activity affordable for all individuals.
Alongside affordability as the main necessity for mixing generations, some activities are considered to support this aspect even more.For instance, agricultural related workshops and markets that could also increase the economic collaboration alongside the social engagement.
Eventually, the BiodiverCity project is a masterplan that has the most regard to the true meaning of equality of right to life by providing living space for all species as well as human being.
Physical or other transformations
Innovative character
The BiodiverCity's general approach to design the future urban life is to bring the natural esthetics of biodiversity inside the urban context; both physically and functionally.
The presence of wild nature alongside the urban agriculture spaces have a huge impact on environmental sustainability which will improve by presence of technology, in solar energy, water recycling irrigation system, etc.
On the other hand, transforming the urban leftover spaces into the agriculture spaces and people's activity in cultivation are in direct collaboration with biodiversity; while, provides new educational, social, and economical opportunities.
As a result, the aspects of esthetics, sustainability, and inclusion will be present and in a circular relationship in every element of a biodiverse city.
