1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Córdoba
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Parque de la Asomadilla
Short description of the intervention
The park was designed to simulate a Mediterranean forest with 18 native species of Mediterranean flora. The water is being reused in order to avoid the depletion of aquifers (Ref. 1). Ecological vegetable gardens were created destined to community horticulture workshops organized by the city council (Ref. 2 and 3). The park was awarded a special prize in environmental Justice in 2010 by the Biodiversity Foundation through the "Life + European Capitals of Biodiversity"(Ref. 7 and 8), as a project that promotes environmental protection and social integration in the city. The inauguration of the park took place in 2007"(Ref. 1)
Address

Calle Ing. Ruiz de Azúa
14006 Córdoba
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 (-4.783569 37.908207)
POINT (-4.782518 37.908698)
POINT (-4.780694 37.900318)
POINT (-4.774836 37.903602)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
URL: http://vivirlosparques.blob.core.windows.net/vlp-parques-cordobaasomadilla2/index.html?nav=comollegar
Total area
276328.00m²
NBS area
276328.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Other
Please specify “other type of area” before implementation of the NBS
‘area initially occupied by a vestige of olive grove’ (Ref. 1)
Website of the intervention
http://vivirlosparques.blob.core.windows.net/vlp-parques-cordobaasomadilla2/ind…
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
pre-1990
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2004
End date of the intervention
2007
Present stage of the intervention
Completed
Please specify "other" stage of the intervention
The residents had been waiting for more than 22 years before the start of the park construction (4)
Goals of the intervention
This NBS aimed to recreate a Mediterranean forest ecosystem as a way to promote environmental and social values (Ref. 1,9,10). Social values include education, recreation, and equal access to green spaces (Ref. 4). The project also aims to promote natural heritage (Ref. 9,10).
Quantitative targets
"18 native species of Mediterranean flora" (Ref. 1)
"Surface: 276,328 m²" (Ref. 1)
"Altitude: 165 meters" (Ref. 1)
-"The cistern located under the Mirador , which with its 1,500 m³ capacity, water is available for the irrigation of all park." (Ref. 1)
Monitoring indicators defined
-Number of Trees: 1404 units and 27 species (Ref. 1)
" native species of Mediterranean flora" (Ref. 1)
-Surface in m² (Ref. 1)
Altitude: in meters (Ref. 1)
capacity of cistern in m³-- water is available for the irrigation of all park. (Ref. 1)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Green space creation and/or management
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Environmental education
Social justice and equity
Environmental and climate justice
Social cohesion
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Enabling opportunities for physical activity
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Preservation of natural heritage
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Sustainable production
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Ecosystem-focused
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Protect and enhance urban habitats
Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
Create new habitats
Protect species
Undertake specific measures to protect species
Means for conservation governance
Raise public awareness
Public engagement
Implementation activities
Green space creation of 27 ha (Ref. 1)
Recreational areas, including "children's play areas, a basketball court and football hall, as well as a viewpoint from which you can contemplate the city of Cordoba" (Ref. 1)
Opportunities for children to learn about flora and fauna of the urban park (Ref. 9)
"The Municipal Environmental Management Institute of Córdoba (IMGEMA) organizes , in the Asomadilla Park, various activities related to the environment such as the Organic Garden . The activities are carried out both in the Aula del la Naturaleza and in the rest of the park." (1)
"We can enjoy this small orchard in which the Municipal Environmental Management Institute (IMGEMA) organizes different educational workshops.The use and exploitation of the Orchard are directly linked to the Nature Hall and is organized in 27 plots with several rest areas." (Ref. 1)
Aula de la Naturaleza organizing horticulture workshops and other environmental protection seminars (Ref. 3): "in its facilities it hosts a conference room for 60 people , with 167 m², for exhibitions, talks and other activities"(Ref. 1)
-"The cistern located under the Mirador , which with its 1,500 m³ capacity, water is available for the irrigation of all park." (Ref. 1)
-A virtual tour of the park is available (Ref. 12)
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
Knowledge creation and awareness raising
Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Parks and urban forests
Large urban parks or forests
Community gardens and allotments
Community gardens
Please specify the number of plots or allotment gardens
"The use and exploitation of the Orchard are directly linked to the Nature Hall and is organized in 27 plots with several rest areas." (Ref. 1)
Vegetation Type
Shrubs
Trees
Garden beds
Other
Please specify how many trees were planted
1200 (Ref. 1)
Please specify other amenities offered by the NBS
cistern for watering: "The cistern located under the Mirador , which with its 1,500 m³ capacity, water is available for the irrigation of all park." (Ref. 1)
Virtual Tour of the park (Ref. 12)
-"The map of the Natural Heritage of Cordoba identifies about thirty green areas, parks and gardens and significant natural spaces in the environment of the capital of Cordoba and has a first print of 5,000 copies . Along with this, information is provided about its history and its environmental value for the city." (Ref. 9)
Amenities offered by the NBS
Playgrounds
Sports areas and equipment
Educational and research amenities (nature protection centre, monitoring stations)
Viewing and outlook points
Other
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Genetic materials from all biota
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Cultural services
Tourism
Recreation
Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational)
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Local government/Municipality
Citizens or community groups
Please specify other local relevant strategy
Educational activities & Natural heritage promotion, 2017, children learn about flora/ fauna in green space as part of the presentation of Patrimonio Natural de Córdoba (Natural Heritage of Cordoba) plan (Ref. 9)
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Non-government actors
Citizens or community groups
Other
Please specify other non-government actors involved
Neighborhood association (Ref. 6)
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
"The inauguration of the park took place in March 2007, responding to a social demand that the neighbors had been demanding for 25 years" (Ref 1).
"In 1983 , the Association of residents of Valdeolleros proposed the construction of a park in their area". (Ref. 6)
"The magnitude of the work forced three companies to form a UTE (Granadal SL, Urpaca and Santa Marta) to execute it." (Ref. 4)
-The Municipality of Cordoba was the initiator of the project after the request of the residents (Ref. 1,4).
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
District/neighbourhood association
Land owners
No information found
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Regional government
Local government/municipality
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Citizens or community group
District/neighbourhood association
Land owners
No information found
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Dissemination of information and education
Citizen oversight (e.g. boards, advisory)
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
Unknown
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Unknown
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
Spanish Association of Parks and Public Gardens - "La Asociación Española de Parques y Jardines Públicos" (AEPJP) (Ref. 10)
"Junta de Andalusia, Consejeria de Medio Ambiente" has implemented Environmental Sustainability Programme for Andalusian municipalities (Ref. 11,13)
-Educational activities & Natural heritage promotion, 2017, children learn about flora/ fauna in green space as part of the presentation of Patrimonio Natural de Córdoba (Natural Heritage of Cordoba) plan (Ref. 9)
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
City specific green space strategy or plan
General municipal plan
Other
Please specify other vegetation type
pomegranates,Ecological vegetable gardens (Ref. 1)
18 native species of Mediterranean flora (Ref 1)
water is being reused in order to avoid the depletion of aquifers (Ref. 1)
Mediterranean forest ecosystem (Ref 4)
27 species of trees (Ref. 1)
flora and fauna of the urban park (Ref. 9)
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
-The municipality has a plan for greener urban areas development in the city, therefore the park is in the continuity of the municipality development plan. (Ref 12)
-Spanish Association of Parks and Public Gardens - "La Asociación Española de Parques y Jardines Públicos" (AEPJP) (Ref. 10)
"Junta de Andalusia, Consejeria de Medio Ambiente" has implemented Environmental Sustainability Programme for Andalusian municipalities (Ref. 11,13)
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
The City Council contributes a total of 1.5 million (Ref. 4)
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?
4 100 000 (Ref 4)
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)
"In fact, the construction of the park has fixed a period of 15 months, in addition to a cost of 4.1 million euros (the council contributes a total of 1.5 million)" (Ref. 4)
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Unknown
Type of fund(s) used
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Business models
Green densification model
Green heritage model
Please specify other environmental impact
Water savings: This is an exemplary performance, as water is reused, allowing to maintain the park without affecting natural aquifers" (Ref 1); The water is being reused in order to avoid the depletion of aquifers (Ref. 1).
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Type of innovation
Technological
Infrastructural innovation
Social
Governance innovation
Cultural innovation
Please specify technological innovation
"A pumping system was implemented that captures this amount of water each night (not suitable for human consumption, which was previously dumped into the sewage system) and is carried to the cistern located under the Mirador , which with the 1,500 m³ of capacity it owns supplies the water for irrigation of all park.
This is an exemplary performance, as water is reused, allowing to maintain the park without affecting natural aquifers" (Ref 1)
Please specify social innovation
Native trees planting, greener spaces targeted by the city to become a "Biodiveristy Capital"(Ref. 8)
The park has been created after the request of the community (Ref. 4)
Virtual Tour of the park (Ref. 12)
-"The map of the Natural Heritage of Cordoba identifies about thirty green areas, parks and gardens and significant natural spaces in the environment of the capital of Cordoba and has a first print of 5,000 copies . Along with this, information is provided about its history and its environmental value for the city." (Ref. 9)
Novelty level of the innovation
The innovation is copied/derived from previous initiative(s) with substantial adaptation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
The municipality has a plan for greener urban areas development in the city, therefore the park is in the continuity of the municipality development plan. (Ref 12)
Replicability/Transferability
Ambiguous (e.g. multiple interpretations)
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The municipality has a plan for greener urban areas development in the city, therefore the park is in the continuity of the municipality development plan. (Ref 12)
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Water management and blue areas
Improved water quality
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Reduced biodiversity loss
Increased number of species present
Increased protection of threatened species
Other
Description of environmental benefits
" It was designed to simulate a Mediterranean forest with 18 native species of Mediterranean flora, olive trees (505), thorns (79 specimens), pomegranates (157), holm oaks (71), cork oaks (33) or oaks (54), totalling 1,200 Trees that came from the Ministry of Environment of the Junta de Andalucía." (Ref. 1)
‘3,000 trees and shrubs of ornamental, forest and arable species, including several hundred-year-old olive trees. This space also has 5,000 square meters for urban gardens, which are managed by Imgema.’ (Ref. 5)
The water is being reused in order to avoid the depletion of aquifers (Ref. 1).
"A pumping system was implemented that captures this amount of water each night (not suitable for human consumption, which was previously dumped into the sewage system) and is carried to the cistern located under the Mirador, which with the 1,500 m³ of capacity it owns supplies the water for irrigation of all park.
This is an exemplary performance, as water is reused, allowing to maintain the park without affecting natural aquifers" (Ref 1)
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 opportunities for social interaction
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Protection of natural heritage
Education
Increased support for education and scientific research
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Description of social and cultural benefits
The request of the community to create this park has been listened to after more than 25 years. (Ref. 4)
Educational activities & Natural heritage promotion, 2017, children learn about flora/ fauna in green space as part of the presentation of Patrimonio Natural de Córdoba (Natural Heritage of Cordoba) plan (Ref. 9)
Ecological vegetable gardens destined to community horticulture workshops organized by the city council (Ref. 2 and 3).
It also has children's play areas, a basketball court and football hall, as well as a viewpoint from which you can contemplate the city of Cordoba. (Ref. 1)
The park was awarded a special prize in environmental Justice in 2010 by the Biodiversity Foundation through the "Life + European Capitals of Biodiversity"(Ref. 7 and 8), as a project that promotes environmental protection and social integration in the city.
Virtual Tour of the park (Ref. 12)
-"The map of the Natural Heritage of Cordoba identifies about thirty green areas, parks and gardens and significant natural spaces in the environment of the capital of Cordoba and has a first print of 5,000 copies. Along with this, information is provided about its history and its environmental value for the city." (Ref. 9)
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
- Number of native species (Ref. 1)
- Implementation of children's play areas, a basketball court and football hall, as well as a viewpoint from which you can contemplate the city of Cordoba. (Ref. 1,6)
- Recognition (award) for project (Ref. 7,8)
- Educational activities (Ref. 2,3,9); -"The map of the Natural Heritage of Cordoba identifies about thirty green areas, parks and gardens and significant natural spaces in the environment of the capital of Cordoba and has a first print of 5,000 copies . Along with this, information is provided about its history and its environmental value for the city." (Ref. 9)
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Water management (SDG 6)
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
Parks in the city of Cordoba remain open throughout the covid-19 pandemic, but certain facilities, such as Aula de la Naturaleza de la Asomadilla were closed as of 13 March 2020 (Ref. 14)
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
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
"Vivir los parques" contains information on fauna and flora species of the park as well as the different facilities (Ref. 1)
Link to the output of assessments
http://vivirlosparques.blob.core.windows.net/vlp-parques-cordobaasomadilla2/ind…
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
Ref. 1
Ref. 2
Ref. 3
Ref. 4
Ref. 5
Ref. 6
Ref. 7
Ref. 8
Ref. 9
Ref. 10
Ref. 11
Ref. 12
Ref. 13
Ref. 14
Documents relevant to the intervention
Attachment Size
Ref. 7 (1.78 MB) 1.78 MB
Ref. 8 (216.56 KB) 216.56 KB
List of references
1. ASOCIACIÓN ESPAÑOLA DE PARQUES Y JARDINES PÚBLICOS. (n.d). La Asomadilla. vivirlosparques.blob.core.windows.net. Available at: http://vivirlosparques.blob.core.windows.net/vlp-parques-cordobaasomadilla2/index.html [Accessed: 10 September 2020].
2. AEPJP. (2014). Yincana del parque de la Asomadilla. Sistema de Riego de Noria. [Not available in 2020].
3. Aula de la Naturaleza de la Asomadilla | Verde por el Clima. Verdeporelclima.com. [Not available in 2020].
4. Niza, Juan. (2005). El parque de La Asomadilla se inicia con la apertura de pozos. Diario Cordoba. Available at: http://www.diariocordoba.com/noticias/temadia/el-parque-de-asomadilla-se-inicia-con-apertura-de-pozos_163760.html [Accessed: 10 September 2020].
5. C.C.B. ed. (2017). Dos exposiciones muestran la historia del parque de La Asomadilla. CORDÓPOLIS. Available at: http://cordopolis.es/2017/04/21/dos-exposiciones-muestran-la-historia-del-parque-de-la-asomadilla/ [Accessed: 10 September 2020].
6. Anon, 2017. Parque de la Asomadilla (Córdoba). Wikipedia. Available at: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parque_de_la_Asomadilla_(C%C3%B3rdoba) [Accessed: 10 September 2020].
7. Fundación Biodiversidad. (2011). Capitals of Biodiversity. European municipalities lead the
way in local biodiversity protection. [Document provided].
8. Anon. (2010). "Córdoba, premiada en igualdad ambiental". [Document provided].
9. Diario Cordoba. (2017). "El Ayuntamiento edita un plano turístico con el Patrimonio Natural de Córdoba" Available at:
http://www.diariocordoba.com/noticias/cordobalocal/ayuntamiento-edita-plano-turistico-patrimonio-natural-cordoba_1140084.html [Accessed: 10 September 2020].
10. Ayuntamiento de Córdoba. (n.d). Delegación de Infraestructuras. "VIVIR LOS PARQUES". Available at: http://infraestructuras.cordoba.es/sec-parqujard/vivir-los-parques [Accessed: 10 September 2020].
11. Junta de Andalucia (n.d). Programa de Sostenibilidad Ambiental Ciudad 21. [Not available in 2020].
12. Virtual Tour of the Park. Available at: http://vivirlosparques.blob.core.windows.net/vlp-parques-cordobaasomadilla2-media/Panoramica%206.html [Accessed: 10 September 2020].
13. PORTAL ANDALUZ DEL CAMBIO CLIMÁTICO. (n.d.). Programa Ciudad 21. Available at: http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/site/pacc/menuitem.acad89bbe95916b477fe53b45510e1ca/?vgnextoid=580582e9ce445210VgnVCM1000001325e50aRCRD&vgnextchannel=98ace185d4693210VgnVCM10000055011eacRCRD&lr=lang_es [Accessed: 10 September 2020].
14. Lopez, C. (2020). Coronavirus en Córdoba: El Ayuntamiento reabrirá este domingo los parques y jardines. El Dia de Cordoba. Available at: https://www.eldiadecordoba.es/cordoba/Coronavirus-Cordoba-ayuntamiento-apertura-parques-jardines_0_1458754548.html [Accessed: 10 September 2020].
Comments and notes
Comments
Section 1: The maintenance of the green areas of Córdoba is the responsibility of the Parks and Gardens department of the City of Córdoba, within the Infrastructure Delegation. However, they collaborate closely with the Asociación Española de Parques y Jardines Públicos ( AEPJP). The collaboration of the City Council and AEPJP created an online platform "vivirlosparques" in order to provide information and virtual visit of parks and gardens. Their objective with this platform is to promote, protect, and enjoy the natural and cultural heritage of the city, while maintaining environmental respect and proposing activities promoting culture and leisure that are held in the city's parks and gardens.(Ref. 11)

2017 comment:
Section 2/ Goals: In my opinion (reviewer, 2017), the city in general would like to develop more green urban areas for tourism purposes, and social values as well as to cope with global warming (Ref. 10). However, it is not specified for the Asomadilla park itself.
Additional insights
2020 comments:
-Now they have a local strategy plan for future and ongoing projects of greener urban areas (initiative from the city council called "Mi Barrio es Cordoba). However, I couldn't find information regarding strategy plan during the implementation of this intervention.

section 4/policy drivers; Now they have a local strategy plan for future and ongoing projects of greener urban areas (initiative from the city council called "Mi Barrio es Cordoba). However, I couldn't find information regarding strategy plan during the implementation of this intervention.
Pictures of the NBS
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/asomadilla_park.jpg
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/aula_de_la_naturaleza.jpg
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/organic_gardens_in_the_park.jpg
Public Images
Asomadilla Park
Asomadilla Park
Fran Froche, retrieved 07/09/2018
Asomadilla 1
Source: Ref. 1
Asomadilla 2
Source: Ref. 1
Asomadilla 3
Source: Ref. 1