Guadalquivir River

1. General information

Location and description of the intervention

City or FUA

Córdoba

Region

Europe

Native title of the NBS intervention

Guadalquivir Río

Short description of the intervention

“The Guadalquivir River offers some of the best landscape, ecological and environmental values. There is an exceptional variety of flora and fauna and the river is considered as one of the main lungs of the city and as a privileged area for the residents”. (Ref. 12) The river is an essential element of Cordoba, having been declared a natural monument in 2001. (Ref 3, p.4) There are ongoing efforts to maintain and restore the river as a natural and cultural heritage site (Ref. 1,2,5,8,9) and a space for recreational activities (Ref. 12).

Address

Guadalquivir River
Córdoba
Spain

Location

The NBS is a city-wide initiative, the GIS point marks the centre of the city

Type of area before implementation of the NBS

Other

Please specify “other type of area” before implementation of the NBS

River (Ref. 1-14)

Website of the intervention

https://porunriovivo.wordpress.com/

Timeline of intervention

Start date of the intervention (planning process)

unknown

Start date of intervention (implementation process)

1999

End date of the intervention

ongoing

Present stage of the intervention

Ongoing

Please specify "other" stage of the intervention

"The first phase of the remodeling of the river Guadalquivir as it passes through the municipal section of Cordoba ended in 2003. Work begun in December 1999 by the Confederación Hidrográfica (Hydrographic Confederation)"(Ref.
EMACSA (Municipal Water Company of Córdoba) is also responsible for its preservation: http://www.emacsa.es/contacto/
"The Government of Andalucia later allocated more than 587,000 euros to the recovery of the Guadalquivir as it passes through Cordoba. Antonio Sanz advances that five actions are contemplated until the autumn of 2017, four of them in the city of Córdoba and one in Aguilar de la Frontera. This initiative gives continuity to the project executed in 2013, with the withdrawal of 150,000 tons of sediment and 8 tons of urban waste" (Ref 2, page 1)

2. Objectives of the intervention

Goals of the intervention

Efforts along the Guadalquivir River aim to achieve the following:
-Environmental restoration of the natural habitat of the Guadalquivir riverbank (Ref. 1,2,5,8,9)
-Preservation of Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage (Restoration of the Molinos de Martos) (Ref. 2)
-Opportunities for recreation, such as sports and leisure spaces and activities (Ref 9,11,12)

Quantitative targets

To reach the targets set in the National Hydrological Plan in the Andalusian region (Ref. 8)

Monitoring indicators defined

Unknown

Sustainability challenge(s) addressed

Water management (SDG 6)

Improvements to water quality

Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)

Habitat and biodiversity restoration

Health and well-being (SDG 3)

Creation of opportunities for recreation

Cultural heritage and cultural diversity

Preservation of natural heritage

Protection of historic and cultural landscape/infrastructure

Preservation of historic traditions

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

Clear and control invasive alien species

Public engagement

Implementation activities

- "In the nineties, the Special River Guadalquivir Plan was drawn up to restore the Guadalquivir to its former role as the backbone of Cordoba." (Ref 1, Pages 14,15)
-Plan of revegetation and preventing invasive species (Ref. 2,5)
-This intervention also contemplates the planting of native tree species typical of riverside, which will contribute to soil fixation and the improvement of river habitat (Ref. 2)
-Posters to raise public awareness of need to take care of river and prohibit throwing garbage and belongings into riverbed (Ref. 5)
-Cleaning of urban waste, vegetation and sludge accumulated in the channel (project back in 2013) to improve water flowing (Ref 5)
-Plan for the implementation of a wood fences along the riverbank in the city in order to protect the area (Ref. 2)
-Installation of fences to protect the habitat and regeneration of plants (Ref. 2)

Type of NBS project

Maintenance and management of urban nature

Ecological restoration of ecosystems

Protection of natural ecosystems

Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas

3. NBS domains, ES and scale

NBS domain and interventions

Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented

Grey infrastructure featuring greens

Riverbank/Lakeside greens

Blue infrastructure

Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries

Vegetation Type

Shrubs

Trees

Other

Please specify how many trees were planted

Unknown

Amenities offered by the NBS

Unknown

Services

Expected ecosystem services delivered

Provisioning services

Water (surface and ground water for drinking and non-drinking purposes)

Habitat and supporting services

Habitats for species

Pest and disease control

Cultural services

Aesthetic appreciation

Recreation

Scale

Spatial scale

Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level

Beneficiaries

Primary Beneficiaries

National-level government

Local government/Municipality

Non-government organisation/Civil Society

Citizens or community groups

4. Governance and financing

Governance

Governance arrangements

Co-governance with government and non-government actors

Non-government actors

Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches

Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative

- The Goverment of Spain including the regional and the local municipality agents are behind this project (Ref. 2, page 1).
- Guadalquivir Hydrographic Confederation (Regional entity of the Spanish Government) is in charge of the works of restoration and maintenance: "The works for the cleaning and environmental recovery of the Guadalquivir River as it passes through Cordoba, which is being developed by the Guadalquivir Hydrographic Confederation (CHG), an agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment" (Ref. 4).
-Environmental protection groups under "The Platform for a Rio Vivo" are also involved with a proposal of conservation (Ref. 11)

Key actors - initiating organization

National government

Regional government

Local government/municipality

Non-government organisation/civil society

Land owners

No information found

Please specify other Key actors - Other stakeholders involved

-Environmental protection groups under "The Platform for a Rio Vivo" are also involved with a proposal of conservation (Ref. 11)
- Guadalquivir Hydrographic Confederation (Regional entity of the Spanish Government) is in charge of the works of restoration and maintenance: "The works for the cleaning and environmental recovery of the Guadalquivir River as it passes through Cordoba, which is being developed by the Guadalquivir Hydrographic Confederation (CHG), an agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment" (Ref. 4).

Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)

National government

Regional government

Local government/municipality

Public sector institution

Non-government organisation/civil society

Citizens or community group

Other

Land owners

No information found

Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used

Dissemination of information and education

Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)

Citizen science

Policy drivers

NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy

Unknown

NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan

Yes

Please specify the national regulations/strategy/plan

National Hydrological Plan (Ref. 8)
Commitment of the Government of Mariano Rajoy (Prime Minister of Spain) with the City of Cordoba: "The Government demonstrates the commitment with this city", "with this action we continue working so that the people of Córdoba can continue enjoying their river"." (Ref. 2, page 1)

NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan

Unknown

Mandatory or voluntary intervention

Mandatory (based on policy)

Intervention is mandatory

Environmental regulation

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

Unknown

Please specify other vegetation type

bulrush, lilies and reeds (Ref. 3)

Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project

Yes

Please specify

There are several non-governmental groups working towards the river protection into one entity called "The Platform for a River Vivo" which includes Almocafre Consumo Ecológico, Acción Ecologista Guadalquivir, Asociación para la Recuperación del Bosque Autóctono, Asociación de Educación Ambiental El Bosque Animado, Asociación Vecinal La Axerquía, Asociación Vecinal Guadalquivir, Ceraico, Consejo de Distrito Sur, Club Piragüismo Córdoba, Consejo de la Juventud, Ecologistas en Acción, SEO Bird Life and WWF (Ref. 11).

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 Government of Spain allocates more than 587,000 euros to the recovery of the Guadalquivir as it passes through Cordoba. Antonio Sanz advances that five actions are contemplated until the autumn of 2017, four of them in the city of Córdoba and one in Aguilar de la Frontera." (Ref. 2)
"In the year 2013 to adapt and recover the river bed as it passes through the city and which involved an investment of 1,800,000 euros." (Ref 2)

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?

2 387 000 (Ref 2)

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)

"Initially 1,800,000 euros in 2013. Then, additional 587,000 euros (in 2016) for continuing the project until end of 2017." (Ref 2, Page 1)

Source(s) of funding

Public national budget

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 type of non-financial contribution

Cleaning hours by volunteers of the non-profit organization "Por http://www.cordobahoy.es/articulo/centro/plataforma-rio-vivo-retira-viernes-serpiente-peluche-rio-pide-limpieza-zona/20170323193932024666.html

Please specify other Business model

National Hydrological Plan fulfillment (Ref. 8)

Business models

Green heritage model

Other

Please specify other environmental impact

improve water flowing (Ref 5)

Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?

Public actor (e.g. municipality)

5. Innovation

Type of innovation

Technological

Infrastructural innovation

Social

Cultural innovation

Please specify technological innovation

- Implementation of a wood fences along the riverbank in the city in order to protect the area (Ref. 2)

Novelty level of the innovation

Unknown

Please specify novelty level of the innovation

Unknown

Replicability/Transferability

Unknown

Please specify Replicability/Transferability

Unknown

6. Evaluation and learning

Impacts, benefits

Environmental impacts

Environmental quality

Improved soil quality

Water management and blue areas

Improved water quality

Improved stormwater management

Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems

Green space and habitat

Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems

Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species

Increased spread of native/heirloom/open-pollinated seed

Increased ecological connectivity across regeneration sites and scales

Other

Description of environmental benefits

Achieved Impacts:
- Restoration of river as ecological corridor (Ref. 1)
- Improved water quality through river cleaning efforts, including cleaning of urban waste, vegetation and sludge accumulated in the channel (project back in 2013) to improve water flowing (Ref 5)
- Re-vegetation of native species, including trees typical of riverside, and prevention of invasive species (Ref. 2, 5)
- Planting of native species contribute to soil fixation and improvement of river habitat (Ref. 2)
- Birds sanctuary (Ref. 3,12)
- Implementation of a wood fences along the riverbank in the city in order to protect the area (Ref. 2)

Economic impacts

Unknown

Description of economic benefits

Unknown

Type of reported impacts

Expected impacts

Achieved impacts

Indicators

Awareness activities (Ref. 5), River cleaning activities (Ref. 5); Planting of native species (Ref. 2,5); Prevention of invasive species (Ref. 2,5); National recognition (Ref. 3)

Environmental, social and economic impacts

Water management (SDG 6)

Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)

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

Unknown as of 11 September 2020

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

Online Forum

Submission of monitoring data (citizen observation)

Please specify other modes of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment

Online blog: http://riovivo.blogspot.se/

Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation

Yes

Please specify

In an article, citizens (through the Rio Vivo platform) seem have some part of involvement (they asked recently to the city for more maintenance and cleaning of the river. (Ref 5)

Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment

Unknown

7. Sources

References

Web links relevant to the intervention

Documents relevant to the intervention

Attachment	Size
Ref. 2 (73.69 KB)	73.69 KB
Ref. 9 (3.8 MB)	3.8 MB
Ref. 11 (6.48 MB)	6.48 MB

List of references

1. Ayuntamiento de Cordoba (n.d). "Córdoba Patrimonio Natural". cordoba.es.
Available at: http://www.cordoba.es/cordoba-patrimonio-natural/book/8?page=1 [Accessed 11 September 2020].
2. Gobierno de España (2016). Delegación del Gobierno en Andualucía. "Nota de Prensa" [Document provided].
3. Peinazo,D. & Sánchez, J.M. (2014). "Aves en el Guadalquivir a su paso por Córdoba". cordoba.es.
Available at: http://www.cordoba.es/doc_pdf_etc/MEDIO_AMBIENTE/otros/contenido_Aves_en_el_guadalquivir_por_Cordoba.pdf [Accessed 11 September 2020]. [Document provided].
4. Anon. (2013). "Los trabajos para la recuperación del Guadalquivir a su paso por Córdoba están al 70% de ejecución". aguayfuturo.org. Available at: https://www.aguayfuturo.org/index.php/noticias/generales/64-los-trabajos-para-la-recuperacion-del-guadalquivir-a-su-paso-por-cordoba-estan-al-70-de-ejecucion [Not available in 2020].
5. Europe press - Andalucía (2013). "Concluyen los trabajos de limpieza del río Guadalquivir en la capital con una inversión de casi 1,9 millones". europapress.es. Available at: http://www.europapress.es/andalucia/noticia-concluyen-trabajos-limpieza-rio-guadalquivir-capital-inversion-casi-19-millones-20131218142044.html [Accessed 11 September 2020].
6. Cordobahoy (2017). "Por un Río Vivo retira una serpiente de peluche del río y pide limpieza en la zona" cordobahoy.es.
Available at: http://www.cordobahoy.es/articulo/centro/plataforma-rio-vivo-retira-viernes-serpiente-peluche-rio-pide-limpieza-zona/20170323193932024666.html [Accessed 11 September 2020].
7. Anon (2013). "CORDOBA SE DA CUENTA DE QUE TIENE UN RIO". diariocordoba.com. Available at: http://www.diariocordoba.com/noticias/opinion/cordoba-da-cuenta-tiene-rio_90799.html [Accessed 11 September 2020].
8. Garcia Higueras, Julia (2003). "La remodelación del río va llegando a su fin". diariocordoba.com. Available at: http://www.diariocordoba.com/noticias/cordobalocal/remodelacion-rio-va-llegando-fin_89912.html [Accessed 11 September 2020].
9. Description of the biodiversity and natural and social benefits of the river passing through the city. [Document provided].
10. Guadalquivir Hydrographic Confederation. Available at: http://www.chguadalquivir.es/inicio [Accessed 11 September 2020].
11. Plataforma por un río vivo (n.d). "PROPUESTAS CIUDADANAS POR UN RÍO VIVO". [Document provided].
12. Teodosio (n.d.). 684 CÓRDOBA. HIDROGRAFÍA. GUADALQUIVIR Y MEDIO AMBIENTE. EL MONUMENTO NATURAL LOS SOTOS DE LA ALBOLAFIA. Available at: https://tuscienciassociales-teodosio.blogspot.com/2011/03/684.html [Accessed 11 September 2020].

Comments and notes

Comments

2020 comments:
Section 1/ Location: Marked ‘city-wide initiative, since river runs throughout the city and beyond (Ref. 1,2)
Rio Vivo blog is the famous platform where the community and organizations can post comments, pictures of the river's current situation (Ref 6). http://riovivo.blogspot.com/

Additional insights

2020 comments:
Section 2/goals: E.g: "Rowing, sailing and canoeing are the only water sports left which can be enjoyed on the Guadalquivir. Of these choices, canoeing is by far the best option for discovering the rich historic and natural patrimony of the river." (Ref. 9)

Section 2/ Implementation Activities:
-Cleaning day along the riverbank by the citizens (Ref. Unknown)
-Installation of fences to protect the habitat and regeneration of plants (Ref. Unknown)

Section 4/ Financing: It is a bit unclear to me where exactly investments are coming from, as the governance structure for management of the river basin involves many stakeholders. I understand that it seems to be mostly from the national government, but there might also be investment from the regional government, considering that the river runs throughout the Andalusian region. (Ref. 2,5)

Section 4/national policy drivers:"It is included in the National Hydrological Plan which mentions a period limit to 2006. However, the minister hoped to reach more than 75% of the National Hydrological Plan in the Andalusian region by the end of 2004" (Ref. 8)

Pictures of the NBS

/sites/default/files/nbs/images/rio_guadalquivir_cordoba.jpg

Public Images

Source: Ref. 6

Source: Ref. 3

Source: Ref. 3

Source: Ref. 11