Castelo Branco, Portugal: A Park for the City

Benefits of Urban Greening

Harnessing the Power of Plants

The tree, shrub and herbaceous cover to be installed constitutes an essential element for the success of the space and the experience of the park. It is intended that the vegetation contributes to the visual and ecological richness of the park, and that it guarantees the success of its installation and development. From this perspective, the park’s vegetation cover complied with the following criteria and objectives, which were:

• the maintenance and framing of existing vegetation in the space;
• choice of a list of vegetation, mostly native or subspontaneous, adapted to the edapho-climatic conditions of the region;
• distribution of the vegetation according to morphological and local ecological factors (humidity and exposure);
• adaptation of vegetation to park programs and experiences.

The use of artificial species goes towards reducing the use of water in leisure spaces.

Delivering Multiple Benefits

In terms of vegetation, the project selects tree and shrub species with low water consumption and which are resistant to drought. Watering in the initial years is essential to ensure, firstly, the success of the transplant from the nursery to the future location and, subsequently, the development of arboreal vegetation to quickly achieve the desired size. In order to reduce water consumption and ensure good rooting and correct acclimatisation of arboreal vegetation, rainfed vegetation or caldera should only be watered during the installation period, gradually reducing the amount of irrigation. A period of five to eight years is expected, which must be measured locally.

The City’s Bold and Innovative Vision

The park proposal holds important civic, social, symbolic and ecological potential for the neighbourhood and the city, since there is no similar facility in size and proximity in Castelo Branco, that is easily accessible by foot or by other means.

This intervention is based on the hybridisation of two concepts: immersion in nature and the permeability. This hybridisation arises due to the need to respond to two aspects of the site. Firstly, the creation of a natural context for the park, providing an immersive experience in nature. Secondly, maintaining a daily experience so that the area does not become a sealed and isolated place. In this sense, the concept of intervention purifies the main connection territory that crosses the park, taking advantage of its energy and dynamism, channelling it through of this, to which the experience and experience of nature is adapted.

Partnerships and Collaboration

The project was developed and implemented by a multidisciplinary team including architects, landscapers, and environmental and water management engineers.

Addressing Urban Challenges

The Issue

The current state of the intervention area is quite different, and can be distinguished into three zones: the upper platform of the northern area, the valley and undulating relief of the northern area and the lake space in the southern area.

The upper platform of the northern area is relatively flat, with vegetation practically non-existent, except for the presence of some eucalyptus trees along Av. Do Empresário.

The lower part of the northern area is characterised by an undulating relief, a small valley, towards Rua Professora Maria Amália Fevereiro. The morphology of this area is less altered, there is still a considerable number of arboreal elements of olive, holm oak and cork oak, as well as a naturally established dryland prairie. The configuration of the valley allows visual and sound isolation in relation to the surroundings, creating a “moment” of natural involvement with existing elements. At its limit, this area is at a level higher than the surrounding streets, particularly in the north end, where there is an embankment with a maximum difference of 3m in height.

The southern area of the lake is visually and altimetrically “sunk” in relation to the avenues that surround it. As the name suggests, the area has a small dam, forming a mirror of water. Despite its physical isolation, this area forms the link between the northern area and the park.

The Impact of the Issue

What until now was an abandoned place, at the gates of the city of Castelo Branco, has been transformed into a place of leisure and contemplation.

A Nature Oriented Future

The community now has a contemporary park at its disposal, as a complement to urban life that combines and concentrates natural spaces.

Nature Positive Solutions

Implementation

The park began to be built in 2017. The investment reached 8.3 million euros. The space has 21 hectares with 1,800 trees planted, with growing vegetation and others that were already in that location.

The space will have automatic irrigation that will use iron water holes that will be previously treated, a space for motorhomes for six vehicles simultaneously (with electrical and water charging and also sanitary water discharge) next to a water mirror, a cafeteria which will be concessioned in an already constructed building, a social lawn, an outdoor amphitheatre, a table games space and a children’s playground.

Feasibility

The project was financed by funds from the European Union. In view of this project, it was necessary to adjust public transport and residents’ daily use of the infrastructure for leisure.

Multi-Stakeholder Support

The initiative is supported by the promoter and owner and the City Council which will guarantee the maintenance of the park.

Management and Maintenance

Montalvão urban park stands out for combining a set of elements that are particularly important in response to the present and future challenges faced by those living in hot and dry cities, namely global warming and the need for free space for urban living. Its design combines microclimatic comfort strategies, mobility dynamics, conservation of Mediterranean ecosystems and an explicit design for experiences and multiple uses, responding in a useful way to the needs of communities.

Measuring and Reporting Impact

Monitoring Results

As the new park recently opened, there is no data yet.

Demonstrating Progress

The city will either have a degraded space or the inhabitants will have a multipurpose space with 21 ha and 1,800 trees planted.

Measuring Impact

A large number of residents in the city make use of this space, which is no longer degraded.

Learning and Transferability

Adaption and Enhancement

The project had no changes during construction.

Potential for Replication

The population has gradually embraced nature spaces for leisure.

Inspiring Other Cities

We believe that this initiative could be replicated in other cities by rehabilitating degraded spaces in order to make them more green.

Resilience

Reducing Negative Impacts and Ensuring Sustainability

In order to understand the possibility of irrigation from local water resources, and to measure the park’s own consumption, the project estimates the monthly water balance taking into account the needs of different plant coverings.

Environmental Considerations

The tree border constitutes an essential element for creating separation between the interior space of the park and the surrounding area, creating the ambience of being “inside” nature. Its construction will be carried out by species of rapid development (Pinus pinea) and slow development, (Olea europaea var. sylvestris, Quercus suber and Quercus rotundifolia) in alternating planes, and using watering support installation. Given its length and the high number of trees necessary to make up the border in its totality, it was decided to give the most structural character to patches of Pinus pinea, these being complemented by slower elements. The option for species within a markedly dry environment and heat, makes it possible to separate a significant area of the park from the irrigation system, reducing maintenance inputs, without reducing the potential for future development of the vegetation.

In general, it is estimated that the development of the waterfront, in order to visually involve the entire park, could occur within a time interval of 10/15 years.

Use of Natural Resources

Existing species were used, mostly native or subspontaneous, adapted to the edapho-climatic conditions of the region.