1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Lisboa (FUA)
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Reflorestação do Parque da Bela Vista
Short description of the intervention
The reforestation project at Bela Vista Park in Lisbon is a collaborative effort by the MEO Kalorama music festival, the Lisbon City Council, and Quercus (local NGO). The intervention began with a community planting event in February 2024 with the planting of 80 native trees, and the goal to plant a total of a total of 1,000 trees. The project aimed to improve the park's biodiversity, enhance carbon absorption, and support local wildlife. The tree species were chosen for their suitability to the local climate and their ability to integrate with existing vegetation. Local schoolchildren and residents participated in the planting, serving as a community engagement activity. This initiative is part of broader efforts to make Lisbon greener and to positively contribute to the local environment, given the disturbance caused by the MEO Kalorama festival (Ref 1, 2, 3).
Website of the intervention
https://informacao.lisboa.pt/noticias/arquivo/detalhe/reflorestacao-do-parque-d…
Principal problems
Environmental Degradation
Biodiversity loss
Deforestation and forest degradation
Implementation area characterization
Climate
Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter)
Ecosystem
Urban or built environment
Address

Av. Alm. Gago Coutinho
1950-037 Lisboa
Portugal

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 (map-based)
Total area
850000.00m²
NBS area
850000.00m²
Area description
Urban (main city)
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Public Greenspace Area
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2024
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2024
End date of the intervention
2024
Present stage of the intervention
Completed
Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
1. Enhance Biodiversity: Plant 1,000 native trees to create a more resilient and diverse ecosystem (Ref 3, 4).
2. Mitigate Carbon Emissions: Reduce carbon emissions associated with events like the MEO Kalorama festival by creating forest cover with a strong potential for carbon absorption (Ref 4, 5).
3. Improve ecosystem resilience: Vegetation species were selected for their adaptability to the local climate and compatibility with native vegetation (Ref. 4).
4. Improve Water Management: Enhancing the park's vegetation will address issues like runoff and erosion (Ref 2).
5. Foster Community Engagement: Involve local residents and schoolchildren in the reforestation efforts to promote environmental awareness and participation (Ref 1, 2).
Key Priorities
Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation)
Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change mitigation
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Inclusive governance
Climate change mitigation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Increase the availability of green urban space for carbon storage (street tree cover)
Improve carbon sequestration through selection of more adaptable species
Raise public awareness of behaviours, lifestyle and cultural changes with mitigation potential
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Species-focused
Ecosystem-focused
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
Restore native species
Restore valued species
Public engagement
Implementation activities and NBS focus
Implementation activities
1. Planting 1,000 Native Trees: Enhances biodiversity and mitigates carbon emissions by introducing resilient tree species (Ref 3, 4, 5).
2. Community Involvement: Engages local residents and schoolchildren in planting activities to foster environmental awareness and social inclusion (Ref 1, 2).
3. Selection of Tree Species: Ensures trees are suitable for local climate, maximizing carbon absorption and improving water retention (Ref 4, 5). A project ally, “Quercus – National Association for Nature Conservation, which selected the species that will be planted in the area. The aim is to ensure greater resilience of the ecosystem”, the organization reported. The factors to be taken into account were “carbon absorption capacity, adaptability to the local climate and compatibility with native vegetation”. (Ref. 4)
4. Collaboration with Environmental Organizations: Partners with Quercus for expert guidance on species selection and ecological impact (Ref 4, 5).
5. Public Awareness and Education: Implements educational programs to raise awareness about biodiversity and sustainability (Ref 1, 2, 6).
The project addresses biodiversity loss, carbon absorption, and water management issues through targeted tree planting and species selection. Community involvement and public education enhance environmental stewardship and awareness.
Type of NBS project
Maintenance and management of urban nature
Urban reforestation, restoration of street trees
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Parks and urban forests
Large urban parks or forests
Amenities offered by the NBS
Educational or biodiversity trails
Design elements for well-being
Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation)
Auditory elements (e.g., birdsong, water features, quiet areas, rustling leaves)
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Regulating services
Local climate regulation (temperature reduction)
Air quality regulation
Carbon storage/sequestration
Scale
Spatial scale
Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Beneficiaries
Demographics in implementation area
The area surrounding Parque da Bela Vista in Lisbon is a mix of residential and commercial zones. It is characterized by the following:
- Residential Neighborhoods: The park is surrounded by several residential neighborhoods, including Belém, Ajuda, and Alcântara. These neighbourhoods are home to a diverse population, ranging from families and young professionals to retirees and students.
- Commercial Areas: Near the park, there are commercial areas with shops, restaurants, and cafes. These areas cater to both residents and visitors to the park.
- Historical Significance: The area has a rich historical heritage, with several historic landmarks and monuments. This contributes to its unique character and attracts tourists.
- Mixed Income Levels: The area surrounding Parque da Bela Vista exhibits a mix of income levels. While some parts of the neighbourhood are more affluent, with higher-priced housing and upscale amenities, other areas are more affordable, attracting a diverse range of residents.
Socio-economic profile of the area
Mixed income
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Unknown
Non-government actors
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches
Other
Primary Beneficiaries
Citizens or community groups
Specify primary beneficiaries
The citizens benefit from the park itself and the activities and cultural events taking place (Ref 2)
Marginalized groups
Unknown
Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups
Children benefit from the NBS intervention at Bela Vista Park through hands-on educational experiences, increased environmental awareness, and enhanced green spaces for play and recreation. (Ref 1; 3; 4)
Other beneficiaries
Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators)
Native plant vegetation
Ecosystem services (e.g. improved air quality, water purification)
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Please specify other non-government actors involved
Festival Organisers
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The project is led by the MEO Kalorama festival and in partnership with the Lisbon City Council and Quercus, a national environmental organization. The Lisbon City Council provides support and oversight, ensuring alignment with city-wide environmental goals, while Quercus contributes expertise in selecting native tree species and ensuring ecological sustainability. Additionally, the project emphasizes community involvement, with local residents and schoolchildren participating in the implementation (Ref 1, 3, 4).
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Other
Please specify other key actors – Initiating organization
Festival Organisers
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Non-government organisation/civil society
Citizens or community group
Stages of citizen and community engagement
On-the-ground implementation
Level of citizen and community engagement
Moderate
Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives
Formation of community-led groups responsible for the the implementation, maintenace or monitoring of the project
Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders)
Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Deliberative decision-making processes (e.g., consensus building, deliberative polling)
Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")
Other
Please specify other missing actor
Private Sector: Music festival
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to a 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
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Enablers & Barriers
Type of enablers
Capacity-building projects
Governance innovations (such as public private partnerships)
Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives.
The project was the result of an interesting governance collaboration between the actors involved (MEO Kalorama festival in partnership with the Lisbon City Council and Quercus).
Governace and decison-making instruments
Strategic instruments (e.g. GI strategies, green space strategy or plans)
Arrangements for governance cooperation
Task forces or commissions (e.g. group of multi-disciplinary experts)
Barriers
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
Unknown
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
Corporate investment
Type of fund(s) used
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of labour
Co-finance for NBS
Unknown
Entrepreneurship opportunities
Unknown
Business models
Business models
Green densification model
Urban offsetting model (biodiversity or water)
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Private for-profit actor (e.g. firm, insurer)
Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation)
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Climate change
Enhanced carbon sequestration
Expected enhanced carbon sequestration
Water management and blue areas
Reduced risk of damages by drought
Expected reduced risk of damages by drought
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Achieved increased green space area
Reduced biodiversity loss
Expected reduced biodiversity loss
Description of environmental benefits
- Enhanced carbon sequestration: the reforestation activities „will allow for the capture of a greater quantity of carbon“ (Ref 1)
- Reduced risk of damages by drought: the reforestation activities„will help prevent water runoff“ (Ref 1)
- Increased green space area: „1000 trees will be planted in the reforestation“ (Ref 1)
-Reduced biodiversity loss: „it while also provide a habitat for local fauna due to its biodiversity.“ (Ref 1)
Environmental impact indicators
Total number of vascular plant species protected or introduced
1000 more trees (Ref 1)
Economic impacts
Unknown
Description of economic benefits
Unknown
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved access to urban green space
Expected improved access to urban green space
Description of social and cultural benefits
-Improved access to urban green space: „the initiative contributes to making the city greener“ (Ref 1)
- Increased opportunities for social interactions: „The planting involved the participation of children from local schools“ (Ref 1)
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
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Unknown
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Cost-benefit analysis
Unknown
Transparency
Unknown
Justice
Community satisfaction
Unknown
Description of locals satisfaction with the project
Unknown
Trade-offs & Negative impacts
Unknown
Emphasis of existing social inequalities or injustices
No information reported related to negative social justice-related impacts of the NBS project
Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement
Unknown
High-quality & Transformative NBS
Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community)
Yes
Goal setting and impacts delivery
No, although benefits were delivered in all the 3 key areas, but in the planning phase, the project did not aim to address issues in all the 3 key priority areas.
Reaching original project goals
Some of the project goals were achieved
Long-term perspective
Unknown: No information about the project's long-term sustainability.
Cost-effective solutions
Unknown
Equitable impacts
C. Unknown
Transformative capacity
Social change (e.g. social relationships, networks and dynamics within them)
Magnitude of change
Incremental: shallow; that is, mostly maintaining business-as-usual approaches to adaptation
Application of lessons learned
Unknown
Perception of Environmental Change
Unknown
References
1.
Lisbon Municipality (2024). Reflorestação do Parque da Bela Vista avança com apoio da Câmara de Lisboa. Accessed on September 1, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
2.
Leite, C. (2024). Estão a crescer novas árvores no parque da Bela Vista em Lisboa. [Source link] [Archive];
3.
Rodrigues, L. (2024). MEO Kalorama vai plantar mil árvores no Parque da Bela Vista. Accessed on September 1, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
4.
Bento, D. (2024). MEO Kalorama is planting a thousand trees in Bela Vista Park. Accessed on September 1, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
5.
Valter, L. (2024). MEO KALORAMA and Quercus help reforest Bela Vista Park with 1,000 trees. Accessed on September 1, 2024, [Download];
6.
Lisbon Municipality (2024). Sheep return to Bela Vista Park. Accessed on September 1, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
Comments and notes
Public Images
The image shows volunteers at the tree planting event.
Bela Vista Tree Planting
Catherine Leite
eflorestação do Parque da Bela Vista avança com apoio da Câmara de Lisboa
eflorestação do Parque da Bela Vista avança com apoio da Câmara de Lisboa
Ref. 1
Indicator
Achieved increased green space area
Impact evaluation
Moderate
Degree of confidence
Medium