1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Córdoba
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
El parque de Parque El Patriarca
Short description of the intervention
The El Patriarca Park aims to rehabilitate and restore 60 hectares of land for ecological benefits and recreational purposes for the inhabitants of Cordoba (Ref.1,3,4,6). It takes place on a site with distinct areas, including a holm-oak forest with Mediterranean scrubland of extraordinary environmental value. This NBS is an effort to protect natural values, erase the traces of urbanization attempts of the seventies, and repair damages caused by human action (Ref. 6). Implementation of the project is expected to start in early 2021 (Ref. 6).
Address

Ctra. de las Ermitas / Calle Mejorana
El Patriarca
14960 Cordoba
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 (-4.805027 37.904257)
POINT (-4.819833 37.906424)
POINT (-4.816142 37.910589)
POINT (-4.813825 37.90893)
POINT (-4.812108 37.912858)
POINT (-4.806572 37.910759)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
Ref. 2
Total area
600000.00m²
NBS area
600000.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Agricultural area or farmland
Other
Please specify “other type of area” before implementation of the NBS
Privately-owned forested area (Ref. 4,5)
Website of the intervention
http://cordopolis.es/2017/02/06/urbanismo-plantea-la-construccion-de-un-parque-…
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2016
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2021
End date of the intervention
unknown
Present stage of the intervention
In planning stage
Please specify "other" stage of the intervention
The first meeting to review municipal areas of Urbanism and Environment was in October 2016 (meaning it is for different areas, not only El Patriarch). However, project proposal of this park was approved later in 2017 as it is mentioned: "the governing of the management council will vote on Wednesday the proposal in an area of ​​50 hectares of surface" (Article from February 2017, Ref. 3)
Goals of the intervention
This intervention aims to:
- Improve the management of green spaces and the natural environment (Ref. 3)
- Protect the ecological values that the area offers (Ref. 3)
- Rehabilitate and restore the land of El Patriarca (Ref. 3,6)
- Create an inclusive environment for park-goers (Ref. 6)
- Promote environmental education and information (Ref. 3)
- Reduce environmental risks (Ref. 3)
Quantitative targets
More than 400 native trees and 350 shrubs will be planted (Ref. 6)
rehabilitate and restore 60 hectares of land for ecological benefits and recreational purposes for the inhabitants of Cordoba (Ref.1,3,4,6).
Monitoring indicators defined
Number of trees (Ref. 6); Number of shrubs (Ref. 6)
hectares of land rehabilitated and restored for ecological benefits and recreational purposes for the inhabitants of Cordoba (Ref.1,3,4,6).
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Water management (SDG 6)
Flood protection
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Green space creation and/or management
Environmental quality
Waste management
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Regulation of built environment
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Environmental education
Social justice and equity
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Preservation of natural heritage
Promotion of cultural diversity
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Ecosystem-focused
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
Restore native species
Restore ecological connectivity
Implementation activities
- Intended to carry out a series of actions on the large rustic property to protect the natural values, control uncontrolled accesses (especially those that use motor vehicles), erase the traces of the urbanization attempts of the seventies (which were never materialized by municipal action) and the repair of the most serious damages caused by human action (such as the cleaning of uncontrolled landfills). (Ref. 6)

- The project includes the cleaning and removal of rubble in the area, erosion control measures, runoff retention and repair of gullies, the identification and preservation of sensitive areas, the repopulation of the grove (Ref. 6)

- Regeneration of damaged areas (Ref. 6)

- More than 400 native trees and 350 shrubs will be planted (Ref. 6)

- Improving the natural valleys by creating a natural barrier to prevent the overflowing of the El Patriarca stream (Ref. 6)

- Rehabilitation of sites and singular landmarks of viewpoints and scenic places (Ref. 6)

- Trails will be adapted and marked for people with reduced mobility (Ref. 6)

- Benches, tables, and bins (Ref. 6)

- Dissemination and training activities (Ref. 6)
Type of NBS project
Maintenance and management of urban nature
Ecological restoration of ecosystems
Protection of natural ecosystems
Knowledge creation and awareness raising
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Parks and urban forests
Large urban parks or forests
Vegetation Type
Shrubs
Trees
Other
Please specify how many trees were planted
400 - expected number (Ref. 6)
Please specify other amenities offered by the NBS
Tables, bins (Ref. 6)
- Trails will be adapted and marked for people with reduced mobility (Ref. 6)
Amenities offered by the NBS
Benches and drinking water stations
Viewing and outlook points
Other
Please specify "other marginalized group"
- Trails will be adapted and marked for people with reduced mobility (Ref. 6)
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Genetic materials from all biota
Regulating services
Flood regulation
Mediation of smell / noise / visual impacts
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Maintenance of genetic diversity
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Recreation
Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational)
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Local government/Municipality
Non-government organisation/Civil Society
Researchers/University
Citizens or community groups
Marginalized groups
Other
Please specify "other primary beneficiary"
Architect (Ref. 6); - Trails will be adapted and marked for people with reduced mobility (Ref. 6)
Marginalized groups
People with functional diversities
Other
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Non-government actors
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches
Researchers, university
Citizens or community groups
Other
Please specify other non-government actors involved
Architect (Ref. 6)
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
"The Governing Council of the Municipal Planning Department ( GMU ) aims to develop the Special Planning Plan of the General System of Public Parks El Patriarca, with the intention of protecting this natural area, practically integrated in the urban area, with 61.3 hectares of surface, of an increasing deterioration. (Ref. 4) The plan is planned to be developed together with the Environment Department of the City Council, the UCO (University of Córdoba), environmental groups and recently incorporated the Junta de Andalucía (Regional Governance)." (Ref. 3)
Technical services of municipal urban planning department and directed by the architect Rafael García Castejón. (Ref. 6)
Of the Patriarch through special planning, in compliance with the objectives of the Urban Planning Law of Andalusia, will also guarantee, in a real and effective way, the timely fulfillment of the principles of public participation, transparency, publicity and attendance,Ensuring the subsequent completion of a city project designed by and for citizens. "(Ref. 2)
Key actors - initiating organization
Regional government
Local government/municipality
Non-government organisation/civil society
Researchers/university
Other
Please specify other key actors – Initiating organization
environmental groups (Ref 3)
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Please specify other Key actors - Other stakeholders involved
Architect (Ref. 6)
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Regional government
Local government/municipality
Non-government organisation/civil society
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Researchers/university
Other
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Other
Please specify other land owner
Family-owned: The project gave rise to a very complex expropriation in which the owner family asked for 42 million euros. In the end, the courts estimated that the Consistory only had to face a bill of 1.5 million. (Ref. 6) " ""The Management of Urban Planning prepares a plan of uses for the park of The Patriarch, that will happen to be a municipal property in the moment in which finishes to pay the expropriations. " (Ref. 1)" 
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"
The plan of the Patriarca park is part, explained the mayor, of an attempt to promote the development of the General Plan in non-profit areas. (Ref. 6)
The Governing Council of the Municipal Planning Department ( GMU ) is developing the Special Planning Plan of the General System of Public Parks El Patriarca, with the intention of protecting this natural area, practically integrated in the urban area, with 61.3 hectares of surface, of an increasing deterioration. (Ref. 4) The municipality governing agents aims to "improve the management of green spaces and the natural environment, Education and environmental information and reduce environmental risks, something we want to do in that space through this project."
"The decision of its expropriation, in an urbanistic procedure, and implementing natural and environmental values "is an outstanding example of the municipal priorities in this matter"' (Ref. 3)
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Mandatory (based on policy)
Intervention is mandatory
Spatial planning guidance
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
The first deputy mayor has recalled that urban planning (PGOU de Córdoba), recognizes the environmental, landscape and territorial values ​​of the lands of "El Patriarca" and qualifies them as General System of Unoccupied Spaces in Non-Constructible Land " (Ref. 3)
Special Planning Plan of the General System of Public Parks El Patriarca (Ref. 3)
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
The Governing Council of the Municipal Planning Department ( GMU ) is developing the Special Planning Plan of the General System of Public Parks El Patriarca, with the intention of protecting this natural area, practically integrated in the urban area, with 61.3 hectares of surface, of an increasing deterioration. (Ref. 4)
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
City specific green space strategy or plan
Municipal / city level environmental plan or programme
General municipal plan
Please specify other vegetation type
holm-oak forest with Mediterranean scrubland; native trees and shrubs (Ref 6)
green spaces and the natural environment (Ref. 3)
removal of rubble in the area, erosion control measures, runoff retention and repair of gullies, the identification and preservation of sensitive areas, the repopulation of the grove (Ref. 6)
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Municipalities actors (Urban and Infrastructue, Environmental City Council Departments) have met in 2016 with the University of Cordoba (department of Ecology) and the "Ecologistas en Acción"(a non-profit organization working towards environmental protection in the city and its surrounding). (Ref. 3)
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
The University of Córboba (Department of Ecology) is mentioned during the first review on municipality' green spaces in which El Patriarca Park was one of the area to improve and protect. (Ref. 3)
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Co-finance for NBS
Unknown
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
€2,000,000 - €4,000,000
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
2 100 000
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)
2.1 M euros: 600,000 euros is expected in expenditures (Ref. 6) + 1.5 million for the land (Ref. 1,6)
"The governing council will approve tomorrow to pay the missing amount, the 730,541 euros that add up the remaining 596,447 of the expropriation plus 134,094 of interest of delay." (Ref. 1)
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Please specify other Business model
Urban regeneration/ integration with green space (Ref. 4), protection of natural heritage (Ref. 1,6)
Business models
Green heritage model
Other
Please specify other environmental impact
erosion control measures (Ref 6)
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Type of innovation
Social
Policy innovation
Please specify social innovation
Urban Planning policy guidance elaboration. "The Special Plan that will protect the Patriarch in the future will guarantee, among other things, "its improvement, conservation and orderly and sustainable use over time, without impairing its ecological integrity" (Ref. 4)
"The first deputy mayor of the City Council and president of the Planning Department, Pedro García, announced that at the next Governing Council of Urban Planning, which will take place on Wednesday, it will be proposed to start work on the formulation and elaboration of the Special Plan of Ordination of the general system of The Patriarch" (Ref. 3)
Novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Environmental quality
Improved waste management
Water management and blue areas
Increased protection against flooding
Improved stormwater management
Green space and habitat
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Increase in protected green space areas
Increased conversion of degraded land or soil
Increased number of species present
Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
Increased ecological connectivity across regeneration sites and scales
Other
Description of environmental benefits
Expected Impacts:
-Renaturation of 61.3 hectares (Ref. 4)
- Improving the natural valleys by creating a natural barrier to prevent the overflowing of the El Patriarca stream (Ref. 6)
-Maintaining its natural conditions, Intention of protecting this natural zone, practically integrated in the urban area (Ref. 4)
-Ecosystem Restoration: Planting of trees and shrubs, cleaning and removal of rubble in the area, erosion control measures, runoff retention and repair of gullies, the identification and preservation of sensitive areas, the repopulation of the grove (Ref. 6)
- Reduction in Human Impact to Ecosystems: Control uncontrolled accesses (especially those that use motor vehicles), clean uncontrolled landfills (Ref. 6)
-- Planting of more than 400 native trees and 350 shrubs (Ref. 6)
Economic impacts
Unknown
Please specify other socio-cultural impact
policy development; "The first deputy mayor of the City Council and president of the Planning Department, Pedro García, announced that at the next Governing Council of Urban Planning, which will take place on Wednesday, it will be proposed to start work on the formulation and elaboration of the Special Plan of Ordination of the general system of The Patriarch" (Ref. 3)
Description of economic benefits
Unknown
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved access to urban green space
Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Protection of natural heritage
Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
Increased appreciation for natural spaces
Education
Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Other
Description of social and cultural benefits
- Improved accessibility: marked and adapted trails for those with reduced mobility (Ref. 6)
- Opportunities for recreation/ aesthetic appreciation: through amenities such as benches, tables, bins, and viewpoints of landmarks and scenic places (Ref. 6)
- Opportunities for education: through training activities (Ref. 6)
-policy development; "The first deputy mayor of the City Council and president of the Planning Department, Pedro García, announced that at the next Governing Council of Urban Planning, which will take place on Wednesday, it will be proposed to start work on the formulation and elaboration of the Special Plan of Ordination of the general system of The Patriarch" (Ref. 3)
- Provision of amenities; Creation of viewpoints; Marked trails (Ref. 6)
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts
Indicators
- Renaturation of 61.3 hectares (Ref. 4)
- Planting of more than 400 native trees and 350 shrubs (Ref. 6)
- Provision of amenities; Creation of viewpoints; Marked trails (Ref. 6)
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
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
Further incentive for implementation of project -- 'The post-Covid reality, said Bellido, forces us to adopt measures to create large recreational spaces that have to be arranged as a green ring.' (Ref. 6)
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
Other
Please specify other modes of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Of the Patriarch through special planning, in compliance with the objectives of the Urban Planning Law of Andalusia, will also guarantee, in a real and effective way, the timely fulfillment of the principles of public participation, transparency, publicity and attendance,Ensuring the subsequent completion of a city project designed by and for citizens. "(Ref. 2)
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Please specify
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
Ref. 1
Ref. 2
Ref. 3
Ref. 4
Ref. 6
Documents relevant to the intervention
Attachment Size
Ref. 5 Reports on the environmental values and benefits of the park (5.92 MB) 5.92 MB
List of references
1. Leña, Isabel (2016). Urbanismo prepara el plan de usos de El Patriarca. Diariocordoba.com Available at: http://www.diariocordoba.com/noticias/cordobalocal/urbanismo-prepara-plan-usos-patriarca_1024009.html [Accessed: 14 September 2020].
2. Muñoz, Paco (2016). El Patriarca. notascordobesas.blog.org. Available at: http://notascordobesas.blogspot.se/2016/11/el-patriarca.html [Accessed: 14 September 2020].
3. Cordópolis (2017). Urbanismo plantea la construcción de un parque en el Patriarca. Cordopolis.es Available at: http://cordopolis.es/2017/02/06/urbanismo-plantea-la-construccion-de-un-parque-en-el-patriarca/ [Accessed: 14 September 2020].
4. Cabrera, Jesus (2017). A plan will protect The Patriarch from growing deterioration. Lavozdecordoba.es. Available at: http://www.lavozdecordoba.es/actualidad/2017/02/07/plan-protegera-patriarca/ [Accessed: 14 September 2020].
5. Jordano, D. and Aida, R. (2016). Valores ecológicos y paisajísticos de la finca El Patriarca. Análisis de usos y propuestas de ordenación y de gestión. Universidad de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias. [Document provided].
6. ABC Córdoba. (2020). El Ayuntamiento de Córdoba arranca a principios de año las obras del parque del Patriarca Available at: https://sevilla.abc.es/andalucia/cordoba/sevi-ayuntamiento-cordoba-arranca-principios-obras-parque-patriarca-202006241245_video.html [Accessed: 14 September 2020].
Comments and notes
Comments
2020 comments:
Section 4/ Finances: I’ve included the costs of the land in the total cost for the intervention. (Ref. 1,6)

Section 4/ Policy: Spatial planning law and guidance:
"For all this, considering the scale of the Park of the Patriarch, its relevant natural and ecological values, its condition as a general system or structuring element of urban planning in the city of Cordoba, we consider that the ordering / regulation of uses to develop In the same and the conditions of its renaturalization must necessarily be established by means of a Special urban plan, as foreseen in the article 96.1.d) of the Law 7/2002, of December 17, of Urban Planning of Andalusia. Of the Patriarch through special planning, in compliance with the objectives of the Urban Planning Law of Andalusia, will also guarantee, in a real and effective way, the timely fulfillment of the principles of public participation, transparency, publicity and attendance,Ensuring the subsequent completion of a city project designed by and for citizens. "(Ref. 2)

The Patriarca's farm is part of an old municipal project to avoid the lucrative urbanization of that part of the city by creating a leisure center. The project gave rise to a very complex expropriation in which the owner family asked for 42 million euros. In the end, the courts estimated that the Consistory only had to face a bill of 1.5 million. (Ref. 6)

"The Management of Urban Planning prepares a plan of uses for the park of The Patriarch, that will happen to be a municipal property in the moment in which finishes to pay the expropriations. " (Ref. 1)

Section 2/ Implementation Activities: In last review (2017), activities were not specifically defined but plans were underway to further develop the implementation plan according to the article of June 2nd, 2017 (REF. 4): "The first deputy mayor of the City Council and president of the Planning Department, Pedro García, announced that at the next Governing Council of Urban Planning, which will take place on Wednesday, it will propose to start work on the formulation and elaboration of the Plan Special of Ordination of the general system of public park The Patriarch"
Additional insights
The intervention was a response to concerns from citizens and ecologists who were against urbanization and development of the El Patriarca land. It was a fight from ecologists, municipalities members, citizens who won against developers: "In conclusion, what was on the way to become an irreparable error of the consistory, thanks to the bravery of Professor Fernandez Haeger; To the receptivity of the municipal government of yesteryear and the Management of Urbanism; To the continued struggle of the following municipal governments; To the constancy of the ecologists from Córdoba represented by Ecologistas en Acción, in addition to the many anonymous citizens who applaud and support these initiatives, the hope of having, to save that unique space in the vicinity of the city, is a fact. It is a battle won by speculation that corrodes everything it touches. " (Ref. 2)
Pictures of the NBS
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/patriarca-71437.jpg
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/parque-patriarca-gerencia-kcxc-620x349abc.jpg
Public Images
El Patriarca 1
Source: Ref. 6, ABC
El Patriarca 2
Source: Ref. 4, LVC