Revitalization of green areas and public spaces on the banks of the Escalante river

The banks of the Escalante River have traditionally been used as recreational and meeting areas for the inhabitants; however, changes in the climate, river flooding, the lack of dredging and cleaning of the riverbed, as well as outdated land use and management plans, have resulted in the reduction of the riverbed, which affects the recreational and economic activities stimulated by the river. The strategy's priority is to propose nature-based solutions aimed at mitigating, restoring and adapting recreational and commercial areas affected by sedimentation of the riverbed. It proposes nature trails, a 7 km long ecological bicycle path, park and information areas with modules built with recyclable materials and sustainable and bioclimatic architectural techniques along the riverbanks. Reforestation with native tree species is also proposed in order to create climatic comfort and attract birds and animal species that will help restore the ecosystem. The intervention, restoration and creation of green public spaces will be carried out in an area with a length of 3.5 km because of the accessibility conditions, slopes and green areas suitable for the interventions.

Overview

Type of instrument:

Knowledge, communication and innovation instruments›Communication/awareness raising

Challenges addressed

Ecologic connectivity
Water management (e.g. reuse)
Green space management (e.g. accessibility)
Watershed restoration/water quality
Flood risk: pluvial and fluvial / soil permeability
Heat stress and heat island effect
Social cohesion
Social equity
Nature appropriation / stewardship
Human health, comfort and well-being

Consideration of nature-based solutions:

Sustainable and bioclimatic architecture techniques are promoted along the margins of the river.

Targeted (peri-)urban areas:

Parks and (semi)natural urban green areas

Green areas for water management

Derelict areas

Urban green space connected to grey infrastructure

Good practice characteristics:

Effective

Sustainable in the long-term

Locally appropriate

Inclusivity

Multifunctional NBS support

Governance

Non-governmental actor(s)

Initiating body:

Researchers, university

Details about how the instrument was designed:

The municipality of Colon is located in the state of Zulia, the strategy for the revitalization of green areas and public spaces located on the banks of the Escalante River is presented. The sedimentation of part of the riverbed has resulted in the abandonment of the public areas and spaces located on the banks of the river, since daily recreational activities have lost their attractiveness with the disappearance of the riverbed; there were meeting and gathering areas for the inhabitants that are no longer there. The instrument is based on a case study resulting from an academic exercise at the Faculty of Architecture of the Universidad de los Andes, to be presented to and incorporated in its design by the Mayor's Office, the local public policy planning council, the technical agencies of the Ministry of the Environment, Corpozulia, research institutions, civil society and the communities affected by the sedimentation of the riverbed.

Targeted actors:

Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)

Researchers, university

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

Details about the implementation:

The strategy will be applied in phases, the first of which will be the incorporation of environmental preservation committees, popular spokespersons, academia, the Ministry of the Environment, civil society, and affected communities in order to incorporate them in the approach to rehabilitation and mitigation actions for the green areas and public spaces along the banks of the Escalante River.

How did the government support the instrument?:

The strategy should involve the participation of local authorities, the mayor's office and the Ministry of the Environment, to be incorporated into planning and development instruments at the municipal level.

Financing

Sources of funding:

Unknown

Details about instrument financing:

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

Monitoring, evaluation and impacts

Achieved outcomes and impacts:

The most relevant impacts expected to be obtained are: The creation of green public spaces, information modules and bicycle paths will help improve the inhabitants' economy and quality of life by having active recreation areas where users will demand services and in turn will be in direct contact with nature. The creation of green public spaces with bioclimatic and sustainable criteria helps mitigate the effects of rising temperatures in the city. The rehabilitation of green areas and access to the riverbanks will bring significant improvements in terms of enjoyment and biodiversity conservation. It is estimated that the intervention of the riverbanks will contribute to the social inclusion and mental health of the inhabitants, as these areas have not been available for their enjoyment for a long time. Restoring the ecosystem through reforestation will benefit both the fauna and the inhabitants, who will enjoy a healthier environment.

Success factors and lessons learned:

The correct articulation and accessibility of the green areas and public spaces along the banks of the Escalante River benefits the inhabitants by allowing them to access areas that for years had lost their interest and functionality. Residents appreciate being included in the discussions and decisions related to the project, since for years they had been ignored, and there is also a feeling of greater identity and attachment to the intervened areas. The country is currently going through a complicated socioeconomic situation as a result of a prolonged political crisis; however, the institutions continue to work together with social actors, organized communities, and companies in the search for solutions that provide citizens with quality of life and social inclusion, taking nature-based solutions as a starting point.

Sources and further information

References

List of references:

Acosta, C. and Fernández, O. ((1997).Teoría de Sistemas, Región y Problemática Ambiental. Maracaibo (Venezuela): EdiLUZ,. GreenlabUC (2012). Methodology for the determination and characterization of environmental damage and the danger of damage caused. Informe Final. Mendez, E. (2022). Revitalization of green areas and public spaces on the banks of the Escalante River. Mérida, Venezuela

Photos

https://satellites.pro/