1. General information Location and description of the intervention City or FUA Sevilla (FUA) Region Europe Short description of the intervention The Torre Sevilla is a commercial building complex with extensive green roofs. The green roofs cover 11000 or 12000 m2 (different sources report different numbers) and aim to contribute to thermal isolation and energy efficiency of the building, improve air quality and provide an urban green space for relaxation and recreation [Ref. 1-3]. The green roofs include a mosaic of different vegetation types and about 60 mostly native plant species. There is a rainwater recovery system that allows the gardens to be irrigated in a sustainable way [Ref. 1-3, 6]. The building finished construction in 2017 and the gardens were initially not available to the public. In 2023, the owner applied for a permit to host events in the gardens, which will allow the public to visit on occasion [Ref. 1, 3-5]. Website of the intervention https://www.torre-sevilla.com/cubiertas-verdes-eventos/ Principal problems Climate-Related Hazards Drought Heat stress & Extreme temperatures Environmental Degradation Air pollution Physical water retention and availability Health, Well-being and Social cohesion Physical health harm (from pollution, wildfire, extreme temperature) Inadequate access to recreational opportunities Implementation area characterization Climate Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter) Ecosystem Urban or built environment Address Pl. Alcalde Sánchez Monteseirín 2 41092 Sevilla 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 (map-based) NBS area image Source of NBS area image Google maps (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ddt6o5ovD96cYLHf9) Total area 11000.00m² NBS area 11000.00m² Area description Urban (main city) Type of area before implementation of the NBS Building Timeline of intervention Start date of the intervention (planning process) unknown Start date of intervention (implementation process) unknown End date of the intervention 2017 Present stage of the intervention Completed 2. Objectives of the intervention Objectives of the intervention Goals of the intervention -Contribute to thermal isolation and energy efficiency of the building [Ref. 1-3] -Improve air quality [Ref. 1-3] -Provide an urban green space for relaxation and recreation [Ref. 1-3] -Irrigate the gardens in a sustainable way [Ref. 1-3, 6] -Allow the public to visit on occasion [Ref. 1, 3-5] Key Priorities Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation) Social Justice and community Sustainability challenge(s) addressed Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13) Climate change adaptation Environmental quality Air quality improvement Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15) Green space creation and/or management Water management (SDG 6) Stormwater and rainfall management and storage Health and well-being (SDG 3) Creation of opportunities for recreation Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets? Increase urban vegetation cover to reduce urban heat island effect Implement green walls or roofs to lower indoor temperature and provide insulation Implement sustainable urban drainage schemes to manage stormwater Implementation activities and NBS focus Implementation activities 1. The Torre Sevilla complex and its green roofs were designed by architecture firm Pelli Clarke & Partners, with a real estate company belonging to Caixa Bank as the customer. 2. The complex was completed in 2017 [Ref 5]. 3. The green roof was fitted with structures to allow for different plant species and prevent erosion [Ref. 2]. 4. The Torre Sevilla applied for a permit to host outdoor activities in the rooftop gardens in 2023, allowing the public to gain access to the gardens [Ref. 1] Type of NBS project Creation of new green areas Creation of green roofs and walls 3. NBS domains, ES and scale NBS domain and interventions Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented Nature on buildings (external) Green roofs Amenities offered by the NBS Complementing infrastructure (bathrooms, café) Design elements for well-being Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation) Services Expected ecosystem services delivered Regulating services Local climate regulation (temperature reduction) Air quality regulation Habitat and supporting services Habitats for species Cultural services Aesthetic appreciation Recreation Scale Spatial scale Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings) Beneficiaries Demographics in implementation area The area where Torre Sevilla is located, the island of Cartuja, has mostly commercial areas, office space and cultural facilities, and few residents [Ref. 7]. Socio-economic profile of the area Unknown Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts Unknown Non-government actors Private sector/Corporate/Business Primary Beneficiaries Private sector/Corporate/Company Citizens or community groups Specify primary beneficiaries 1. Private sector/Corporate/Company: The owner of the building and the companies having office space or stores in the complex benefit from the ecosystem services of the green roofs, like reducing heat and energy costs, air quality improvement and access to recreational green space [Ref. 1-3, 6]. 2. Citizens or community groups: The citizens visiting the commercial centre can also benefit from the air quality and climate improvement. When the roofs open for events, citizens can also benefit from cultural and recreational experiences [Ref. 1, 3, 4]. Marginalized groups Unknown Other beneficiaries City infrastructure (e.g., reduced flooding, improved water quality) Public health (e.g. increased physical activity opportunities, reduced stress) 4. Governance and financing Governance Governance arrangements Led by non-government actors Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative The project was initiated by Puerto Triana S.A., a real estate company belonging to CaixaBank. In some references, CaixaBank is listed as the owner of the Torre Sevilla. The architecture firm Pelli Clarke & Partners designed the buildings and the green roofs [Ref. 4, 5]. At least one construction and landscaping company focused on green solutions was involved in the project [Ref. 2]. Key actors - initiating organization Private sector/corporate actor/company Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors) Private sector/corporate actor/company Level of citizen and community engagement Unknown Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives Unknwon Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders) Unknown Uncommon actors ("Missing actors") Unknown Land owners Private sector or company 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 Unknown Governace and decison-making instruments Unknown Arrangements for governance cooperation Unknown 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 Unknown Co-finance for NBS Unknown Entrepreneurship opportunities Unknown Business models Business models Green densification model Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model? Private for-profit actor (e.g. firm, insurer) 5. Evaluation and learning Impacts, benefits Environmental impacts Climate change Lowered local temperature Achieved lowered local temperature Energy efficiency improvements Achieved energy efficiency improvements Environmental quality Improved air quality Expected improved air quality Water management and blue areas Improved stormwater management Expected improved stormwater management 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 Increased number of species present Achieved increased number of species present Please specify other economic impact Reduced energy costs [Ref. 1, 3, 6]. Description of environmental benefits 1. Achieved lowered local temperature: The green roofs are said to contribute to the thermal insulation of the building and a more comfortable climate, which is well needed in the south of Spain. 2. Achieved energy efficiency improvements: The green roofs' thermal effects improve the energy efficiency of the building. 3. Expected improved air quality: The plants can absorb air pollution and improve local air quality. 4. Expected improved stormwater management: The green roofs include a rainwater collection system, utilising rainwater as a resource and allowing for sustinable irrigation when it does not rain. It is not clear if this contributes to flood prevention. 5. Expected reduced risk of damages by drought: The rainwater collection system allows for irrigation during dry periods, reducing the risk of the plants being damaged [Ref. 1, 3, 6]. 6. Achieved increased green space area: 11000 m2 of green space has been created on what would otherwise be a grey rooftop [Ref. 1] 7. Achieved increased number of species present: The green roofs contain about 60 plant species [Ref. 6]. Economic impacts Other Description of economic benefits Reduced energy costs from improved energy efficiency [Ref. 1, 3, 6]. Social and cultural impacts Social justice and cohesion Improved access to urban green space Achieved improved access to urban green space Health and wellbeing Gain in activities for recreation and exercise Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise Reduced risk of heatstroke and/or dehydration Expected reduced risk of heatstroke and/or dehydration Social and cultural impact indicators Total area of recreational green space created or restored (in ha) 11000 Description of social and cultural benefits 1. Achieved improved access to urban green space: The green roofs increase the access to green space for people working at or visiting the building, at least when there are events that make them open to the public. 2. Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise: There should be an increase in recreational activities as events are held at the green roofs [Ref. 1, 3, 4]. 3. Expected reduced risk of heatstroke and/or dehydration: The improved local climate and thermal isolation should reduce local temperature and risk of negative effects from heat [Ref. 1, 6]. 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 Use of GIS in mapping impacts No evidence in public records Cost-benefit analysis Unknown Transparency Unknown Justice Community satisfaction 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 No initiatives or policies were implemented 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 Yes Cost-effective solutions Unknown Equitable impacts C. Unknown Transformative capacity Systemic change (the NBS caused changes across the social, ecological and technological dimensions) Magnitude of change Reformist: by focusing on addressing underlying drivers of change but failing to address the problem structurally or systemically Application of lessons learned Unknown Perception of Environmental Change Unknown 6. Sources References 1. Torre Sevilla (2023). TORRE SEVILLA obtiene la licencia de obra para abrir sus cubiertas verdes a eventos al aire libre. Accessed on September 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 2. Projar Group (n.d.). Cubierta vegetal intensiva sobre la Torre Pelli de Sevilla. Accessed on September 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 3. Ochoa, Á. (2021). El jardín del techo del centro comercial. Diario de Sevilla, Accessed on September 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 4. Sevilla21 (2023). Torre Sevilla abrirá sus cubiertas vegetales a partir de Otoño 2023. Accessed on September 19, 2024, [Download]; 5. Pelli Clarke & Partners (n.d.). Torre Sevilla ignites a new economic engine in a historic city. Accessed on September 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 6. Diputación de Badajoz (2019). La Diputación de Badajoz visita el Centro Comercial TORRE SEVILLA como referencia de construcción sostenible. Accessed on September 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 7. Garcia Novo, A. (2022). La Isla de la Cartuja se convertirá en la ciudad de 2050 (y lo hará en 2025). ABC, Accessed on September 20, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; Comments and notes Public Images Image The Torre Sevilla green roof from above. https://www.sevilla21.es/torre-sevilla-abrira-sus-cubiertas-vegetales-a-partir-de-otono-2023/
Image The Torre Sevilla green roof from above. https://www.sevilla21.es/torre-sevilla-abrira-sus-cubiertas-vegetales-a-partir-de-otono-2023/
