Vitoria-Gasteiz Green Belt

Among the most outstanding results are: [1] Environmental education: already in 1996 the first environmental education activities were carried out, with 1,400 participants, since then and continuously, education, communication and awareness activities have been carried out. In this field, the conditioning of the Olarizu orchards and the completion of the conditioning of the Arboretum of the Forests of Europe, allowed the activation of the Dehesa House, which together with the construction of the Ataria Interpretation Center (in 2007) have been two key elements for the implementation of the environmental education program of the city. [2] Ecological recovery and restoration, such as the Zabalgana gravel pit, restoration of the Arcaute pond (Salburúa), conditioning of the Urarte (Abetxuko) and Olarizu orchards, elimination of illegal orchards on the Zadorra river and recovery as a park together with the creation of a flood channel to reduce the impact of floods. [3] Comprehensive and coordinated urban planning and management: in 1999 the Green Belt was included in the General Urban Development Plan of Vitoria-Gasteiz, which has favored the management and urban planning of this infrastructure. On the other hand, multilevel management of the territory has been promoted, coordinating actions at the municipal, regional and state levels. In this sense, in 1997 the Provincial Council of Alava signed an agreement with the City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz for the management of the Armentia Park. [4] Protection and conservation of natural spaces: in 2002 the Salburúa park was designated as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention, in 2004 the Salburua and Zadorra river wetlands were designated as Sites of Community Interest and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) of the Natura 2000 Network and in 2015 as a Special Protection Area for Birds (in the case of the Salburúa wetlands). [5] Funding: As this is a long-term project, it has been possible to implement it thanks to the integration of various types of sources, namely: at the international level, funding from the European Union, at the national level from the Ebro Hydrographic Confederation and the Biodiversity Foundation, and at the regional level from the Basque Government and the Provincial Council of Alava and the municipal budgets. [6] Awards and recognitions: At the international level it has been recognized on two occasions (2004 and 2014) by the Dubai International Best Practices Competition for its contribution to the "improvement of citizens' living conditions from the perspective of sustainable development". At the regional level, it has received the Germplasm Bank award, in the 4th Udalsarea 21 awards call for best practices in Local Sustainability, in the Biodiversity category. Among the non-quantifiable, but tremendously significant results, we can highlight: A. The effective conservation of some enclaves of high environmental value has been achieved, including the Salburúa wetlands, declared Wetlands of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention. B. The hydrological recovery tasks in the Ring have contributed to improve the flooding problem in the city. C. The Green Belt has influenced the form of urban expansion of the city, in some cases preventing the location of infrastructure and other incompatible uses. D. The citizens have gained a space of great environmental and landscape quality for leisure and the enjoyment of nature, which has favored the improvement of environmental awareness.