Articulation of public green spaces in the Albarregas Metropolitan Park.

The articulation of the public green spaces of the Albarregas Metropolitan Park is proposed as a strategy for the rehabilitation and integration of the abandoned spaces of the park. The proposed actions are based on Nature Solutions, focused on; mitigation of the effects of high temperatures, protection of biodiversity, social learning about climate change and conservation of ecosystems and social inclusion. The strategy aims to create nature trails, recreation and information areas as modules built with sustainable and bioclimatic architecture techniques throughout the park. The strategy was developed by the area of environmental studies of the Faculty of Architecture of the Universidad de los Andes in cooperation with organized community, private enterprise and academic partners. The strategy includes a set of resources for the design and articulation of green public space as well as urban furniture with sustainable criteria. The principles were analyzed and adapted to the environmental conditions of the Municipality, these should be considered in the urban development plans to be developed by the Municipality.

Overview

Type of instrument:

Legislative, regulatory and strategic instruments›Urban planning mechanisms

Challenges addressed

Ecologic connectivity
Green space management (e.g. accessibility)
Heat stress and heat island effect
Social cohesion
Social equity
Human health, comfort and well-being

Consideration of nature-based solutions:

The strategy of articulating the green public spaces of the metropolitan park is based on supporting urban planning in order to consider the challenges of urban development in a sustainable manner and to rehabilitate and integrate the urban forest areas of the metropolitan park for the creation of open green public spaces understood as elements of interconnection with the city that contribute to the mitigation of the effects of the heat island, recreation, cultural services, and adaptation to climate change.

Targeted (peri-)urban areas:

Parks and (semi)natural urban green areas

Derelict areas

External building greens

Urban green space connected to grey infrastructure

Good practice characteristics:

Sustainable in the long-term

Locally appropriate

Inclusivity

Governance

Non-governmental actor(s)

Initiating body:

Researchers, university

Details about how the instrument was designed:

The strategy for the articulation of the metropolitan park spaces was developed by the area of environmental studies of the School of Architecture of the Universidad de los Andes, as part of an academic research exercise. The strategy was defined in cooperation with the organized community, private enterprise, academics and specialists in the area. Currently, the implementation process is being promoted with stakeholders, local authorities and citizens, to provide recommendations and observations on the proposed strategy in order to improve it and incorporate it into the city's urban design and development plans.

Targeted actors:

Researchers, university

Citizens or community groups (CBOs), NGOs, NGOs, etc.

Details about the implementation:

The strategy is presented as a pilot proposal to demonstrate the benefits of the articulation of the park's spaces. Its implementation at different scales is necessary and requires the collaboration of the municipality, technical agencies, academia, civil society and private enterprise. As a result, it is expected that the knowledge generated by the proposal in its different phases will be transferred to universities, social and institutional actors linked to the conservation and management of green spaces and urban forests in the city, such as ministries, municipal administration, planners and organized civil society.

How did the government support the instrument?:

The articulation foundations of the metropolitan park spaces were established and adapted according to urban planning instruments, such as the land use ordinance, urban development plans, and technical instruments related to sustainability. It is recommended that the elements developed in the strategy be considered in the municipality's sustainability and urban planning plans and actions, with the support of municipal authorities and technical agencies.

Financing

Given the country's current socioeconomic and political situation, we are not considering applying for financing from any national or regional governmental entity.

Budget:

Unknown

Details about instrument financing:

Due to the complexity of the political situation and the economic crisis, there are no plans to request financing from any government agency at this time.

Monitoring, evaluation and impacts

Achieved outcomes and impacts:

The creation of green public spaces, information modules, and trails improve the quality of life of the inhabitants by providing recreational areas that are in direct contact with nature. Green public spaces designed with bioclimatic and sustainable criteria help mitigate the effects of rising temperatures in the city. The rehabilitation of green areas and access to the urban forest of the Albarregas Metropolitan Park will bring significant improvements in terms of the enjoyment and conservation of biodiversity.

Success factors and lessons learned:

The proposal seeks the articulation and accessibility of the urban forest for all. It is estimated that the articulation of the public green spaces of the Albarregas Metropolitan Park will allow residents greater inclusion, health benefits and the strengthening of social and environmental sustainability. The city with its environmental, social, historical and cultural conditions needs the integration of SBN in the different environments and the creation and articulation of green spaces with SBN proposals will strengthen the conservation of the park and the different spaces of the city. Currently the country is going through a complicated socioeconomic situation as a result of a prolonged political crisis, however, institutions such as the Universidad de los Andes continue to work together with social actors, organized communities and companies in the search for solutions that give citizens quality of life and social inclusion having as a starting point the solutions based on nature.

Sources and further information

References

List of references:

BRICEÑO, M. and GIL, B. (2003): Environmental quality of the urban image. Revista FERMENTUM, Year 13, No. 38. Humanic, Universidad de Los Andes. Mérida, Venezuela, pp. 445. GARCÍA, J(2003). Los ejes ambientales en el nuevo entorno de planificación y gestión urbana en Colombia, in Naturaleza y ciudad: Los ejes ambientales en el espacio urbano. Professional call for entries. Corona Por Arquitectura" Award 2003. bogotá D.C. Mendez, E. (2022). Articulation of the public green spaces of the Albarregas Metropolitan Park. Faculty of Architecture. ULA. Mérida, Venezuela. GICAU (2004): Elements for measuring urban environmental quality. Case study Parroquia Juan Rodríguez Suárez, Mérida, Venezuela. FAAULA- CDCHT. Mérida, Venezuela. RANGEL, M (2003). Los cien del espacio público para la vida sociocultural urbana. CEP - CDCHT Graphic Workshops of the ULA. Mérida.

Photos

@edgaralbert29