1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Bilbao
Region
Europe
Short description of the intervention
Ametzola is a neighborhood of Bilbao District 7 located on the left bank of the Bilbao estuary. In 2005 the construction of a park began since the neighborhood was seen as being alienated from other quarters of Bilbao and solicited a regeneration and integration into the urban life of the city. (Ref 1)
Address

Ametzola Parkea
48012 Bilbao
Spain

Location
The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).
Area boundary
POINT (-2.943633 43.255118)
POINT (-2.940066 43.255067)
POINT (-2.940644 43.254389)
POINT (-2.942181 43.254405)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
Source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.elcorreo.com%2Ftemas%2Flugares%2Famezola.html&psig=AOvVaw0DO9Kkvz_ia2xjmhND4m5N&ust=1602804574847000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCOC34b-etewCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
Total area
36000.00m²
NBS area
36000.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Industrial
Residential
Website of the intervention
http://www.bilbaoria2000.org/ria2000/cas/comunicacion/detalleNot.aspx?id_notici…
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
1994
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2005
End date of the intervention
2007
Present stage of the intervention
Completed
Goals of the intervention
This intervention aimed to do the following:
1. To urbanize the neighborhood of Ametzola
2. To increase access to green spaces
3. To eliminate the heat island effect in a former industrial neighborhood
4. To increase social cohesion for the residents
5. To increase the quality of living and health benefits
(Ref 1)
Quantitative targets
1. Create a green space of 36.000 sqm which includes children play areas, ponds, green open spaces with palm trees and a lot of terraces and bars because it is in the middle of a residential area. (Ref 3)
2. Create a pond (Ref 3)
3. Plant 63 trees, 42 flower beds and 36 benches (Ref 2)
4. Serve 15.000 people (Ref 3)
Monitoring indicators defined
1. Number of inhabitants benefiting from this intervention (Ref 3)
2. Amount of green space needed (Ref 3)
3. Number of trees and benches planted and installed (Ref 2)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Conversion of former industrial areas
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social cohesion
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Reduce the impacts of climate risks events on urban places and communities
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Increase or improve urban vegetation cover to help reduce outdoor temperature
Implementation activities
The park was expanded by 36,000 m2 with areas of trees and understory shrub. Connecting the park to the Amezola neighborhood was a placement of a set of flower beds, which linked the sidewalk and the park canopy. The gardening work of the area gave continuity to the vegetation that surrounded the building skylights near the train station (Ref 4)

For the first time in an urban public space of Bilbao an optical lighting system was installed. The park was also equipped with slopes adapted for disabled people and people with mobility difficulties (Ref 4)
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Parks and urban forests
Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces
Vegetation Type
Shrubs
Trees
Flower beds
Garden beds
Please specify how many trees were planted
63 (Ref 2)
Amenities offered by the NBS
Benches and drinking water stations
Playgrounds
Complementing infrastructure (bathrooms, café)
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Regulating services
Local climate regulation (temperature reduction)
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Recreation
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Local government/Municipality
Citizens or community groups
Marginalized groups
Other
Please specify "other primary beneficiary"
a non-profit limited liability company (“private firm of public shareholders”) (Ref 7)
Marginalized groups
People with functional diversities
Governance
Governance arrangements
Led by non-government actors
Non-government actors
Other
Please specify other non-government actors involved
a non-profit limited liability company (“private firm of public shareholders”) (Ref 7)
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The Bilbao Ria 2000 was the initiators of this intervention. (Ref 1,2) It is a non-profit limited liability company, established as a "private firm of public shareholders". The company is owned by the central Spanish Government via the Ministry of Economic Promotion and the local and regional public authorities (Basque Government, Bizkaia Provincial Council, and Bilbao City Council) (Ref 7). The Bilbao Ria 2000 was responsible for directing the recovery of the old industrial spaces of the metropolis, and for coordinating and implementing various actions that integrate urban planning, transport and the environment. (Ref 1)

Co-Financed by European Regional Development Fund (Ref 5)

The construction company for the works of the Ametzola neighborhood was the UTE Ametzola (private companies), made up of Dragados and Balzola. (Ref 2)

The project and construction management were carried out by Idom (private company). (Ref 2)

The landscaping was done by Local 4 (private company) and the plantings by Cespa (private company). (Ref 2)

The park architect was Javier Lopez Chollet (Ref 4)
Key actors - initiating organization
Other
Please specify other key actors – Initiating organization
a non-profit limited liability company (public enterprise) (Ref 7)
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Please specify other Key actors - Other stakeholders involved
a non-profit limited liability company (“private firm of public shareholders”) (Ref 7)
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
National government
Regional government
Local government/municipality
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Other
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Unknown
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
This project is part of a larger plan called Proyecto Amezola, which aims to revitalize an adjacent area of Bilbao. Alongside the park, houses were erected as well as office buildings and the former train station (for which the neighborhood was known) was rehabilitated (Ref 1)
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify the general plan with GI/NBS section
This park is part of a larger plan called Proyecto Amezola, which aims to revitalize an adjacent area of Bilbao. Alongside the park, houses were erected as well as office buildings and the former train station (for which the neighborhood was known) was rehabilitated (Ref 1)
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
Urban redevelopment plan
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
No
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (Ref 5)
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
Co-financing governance arrangements
Unknown
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?
Unknown
What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?
Unknown
Please specify cost savings
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
5.000 mil. pesetas (30.000.000 €) (Ref 4)
14.900.000 € for last phase (Ref 2)
Source(s) of funding
EU funds
Public national budget
Public regional budget
Public local authority budget
Please specify other source of funding
Funds from private firm of public shareholders (Ref 7)
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Please specify other Business model
Urban regeneration (Ref 1)
Business models
Green densification model
Vacant space model
Other
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation)
Type of innovation
Technological
Product innovation
Please specify technological innovation
This NBS is a product innovation since the park is designed to include not only green areas bu also play areas, ponds, creating as such a space from which the entire community will benefit. (2)
Novelty level of the innovation
Ambiguous (e.g. multiple interpretations)
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
It is not mention if this NBS is completely new or inspired by other projects, but the initiating company had a large area of Bilbao rehabilitated and as such it was hard to establish the level of replicability or the novelty level of the innovation (1)
Replicability/Transferability
Ambiguous (e.g. multiple interpretations)
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
It is not mention if this NBS is completely new or inspired by other projects, but the initiating company had a large area of Bilbao rehabilitated and as such it was hard to establish the level of replicability or the novelty level of the innovation (1)
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Description of environmental benefits
- Creation of green space of 36.000 sqm which includes ponds and green open spaces with palm trees (Ref 3)
- Planting of 63 trees and 42 flower beds (Ref 2)
Economic impacts
Unknown
Description of economic benefits
Unknown
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved social cohesion
Improved access to urban green space
Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Description of social and cultural benefits
Green Access/ Recreation/ Social Interaction:
-Creation of green space of 36.000 sqm in the middle of a residential area which includes children play areas, green open spaces with palm trees and a lot of terraces and bars (Ref 3)
-The park was equipped with slopes adapted for disabled people and people with mobility difficulties (Ref 4)

Based on the comments found on an internet forum, the citizens of the neighborhood were satisfied with the project, claiming that such a space was needed since the area was full of building blocks where one was unable to breathe. (Ref 6)
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
Green space area [m2] (Ref 1);
Number of Trees (Ref 2);
Number of flower beds (Ref 2)
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Environmental quality
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
No information available
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Improved access to green and/or blue spaces
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
In May 2020, it was reported that a group of teenagers used the pond of the Amezola Park as a swimming pool, and received punishment from the police. The pond was emptied in March 2020, two days after the declaration of the state of alarm and as a sanitary measure; but it was refilled again the beginning of May. Following the May 2020 incident, the municipal police sealed the perimeter of the pond with tape. (Ref 8)
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
No evidence in public records
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Unknown
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Unknown
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Yes
Mode(s) of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Focus Group
Submission of monitoring data (citizen observation)
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Yes
Please specify
Based on the comments found on an internet forum, the citizens of the neighborhood were satisfied with the project, claiming that such a space was needed since the area was full of building blocks where one was unable to breathe. But, this is not an official evaluation (Ref 6)
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
Ref. 1 Ametzola Park
Ref. 2 BILBAO Ría 2000 INAUGURA LA ULTIMA FASE DE AMETZOLA
Ref. 4 LUGARES DE INTERVENCIÓN Y ADAPTACIÓN URBANÍSTICA EN BILBAO
Ref. 6 Proyecto Amézola-Avenida del Ferrocarril
Ref. 8 Baño prohibido en el estanque de Amezola
Ref. 9 El parque de Amézola
Documents relevant to the intervention
Attachment Size
Ref. 5_0.pdf (332.79 KB) 332.79 KB
Ref. 7 Information on Bilbao Ria 2000.pdf (315.32 KB) 315.32 KB
List of references
1. Bilbao Ria 2000. (2014). Ametzola Park. Available at: http://www.bilbaoria2000.org/ria2000/cas/zonas/zonas.aspx?primeraVez=0 [Accessed: 14 October 2020].
2. Bilbao Ria 2000. (2007). BILBAO Ría 2000 INAUGURA LA ULTIMA FASE DE AMETZOLA. Available at: http://www.bilbaoria2000.org/ria2000/cas/comunicacion/detalleNot.aspx?id_noticia=283&idViejo=283 [Accessed: 14 October 2020].
3. Reskyt. (n.d.). Amézola Park. [Not available in 2020].
4. Bilbao Ria 2000. (n.d.). LUGARES DE INTERVENCIÓN Y ADAPTACIÓN URBANÍSTICA EN BILBAO. Available at: http://www.bizkaia.eus/fitxategiak/04/ondarea/Kobie/PDF/6/Bilbao_regeneracion_kobie_7_IV_-%20LUGARES%20DE%20INTERVENCI%C3%93N%20Y%20ADAPTACI%C3%93N%20URBAN%C3%8DST.pdf?hash=992510f161fc7cbd77a7dc9fafd284ab [Accessed: 14 October 2020].
5. Bilbao Ria 2000. (n.d.). Un espacio para los ciudadanos: Parque Amézola. [Document provided].
6. AdemA. (2002). [Bilbao] Proyecto Amézola-Avenida del Ferrocarril. Forum discussions. Available at: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=199506 [Accessed: 14 October 2020].
7. Legislative Council Secretariat (2005). Information Note, Management, Operation and Financing of a Cultural District: The Case of Abandoibarra in Spain. [Document provided].
8. El Correo. (2020). Baño prohibido en el estanque de Amezola. El Correo. Available at: https://www.elcorreo.com/bizkaia/bano-prohibido-estanque-20200503184634-nt.html [Accessed: 14 October 2020].
9. BARÓN DE LA BIRRA. (2009). El parque de Amézola. Available at: https://barondelabirra9.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/el-parque-de-amezola/ [Accessed: 14 October 2020].
Comments and notes
Comments
While Ref 7 does not talk about this particular NBS, it describes the nature of the Bilbao Ria 2000.
Pictures of the NBS
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/amezola1996.jpg
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/amezola-final.jpg
Public Images
The Ametzola Park
The Ametzola Park
BILBAO Ría 2000, retrieved 09/11/2018 from Susana de la Madrid
Ametzola Park 1
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bilbao_-_Parque_de_Ametzola_07.JPG
Ametzola Park 2
Source: https://bilbaoysusfuentes.home.blog/2019/04/27/fuente-del-parque-de-amezola/
Ametzola Park 3
Source: Ref. 9