1. General information Location and description of the intervention City or FUA Sevilla (FUA) Region Europe Native title of the NBS intervention Planta Bienstar: Huertas Las Moreras Short description of the intervention The urban garden in Miraflores park (Huertas las Moreras) was established already in 1991 on an old waste dump and contains 10500 m2 of plots for locals to grow fruits and vegetables [Ref. 1]. The creation of the gardens was initiated by citizens who formed an association and implemented it in cooperation with the City of Seville. The citizens were discontent with the lack of green space in the area, and the urban gardens came to be alongside Miraflores Park, which was also pushed by the locals. The initial goals of the gardens were to allow locals to produce their own food and to host educational activities [Ref. 2]. More recent developments exemplify the focus on education and knowledge. In 2022, the citizen science project "Planta Bienstar" was carried out in the gardens, where high school students measured the lead levels in the soil and crops. The project aimed to investigate if lead levels posed a health risk and if the gardens could reduce levels over time. The project was organised by the non-profit Descubre Foundation and funded by the foundation and the regional Government of Andalusia. The project relied on the knowledge and efforts of the citizens, the students and gardeners in an intergenerational collaboration where the young could learn methods from their elders [Ref. 3, 4]. Website of the intervention https://mirafloreshuertalasmoreras.wordpress.com/ Principal problems Land use and Socio-economic change Agriculture/ crop production Unequal availability and access to public green spaces Health, Well-being and Social cohesion Disconnection from nature Poor community engagement Other Please specify other principal problem Soil pollution Implementation area characterization Climate Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter) Ecosystem Urban or built environment Address Ctra. de Miraflores, Norte 41015 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/bLLiCkd72d6kmT1r9) Total area 10500.00m² NBS area 10500.00m² Area description Urban (main city) Type of area before implementation of the NBS Waste disposal site or landfill Timeline of intervention Start date of the intervention (planning process) unknown Start date of intervention (implementation process) 2022 End date of the intervention ongoing Present stage of the intervention Ongoing 2. Objectives of the intervention Objectives of the intervention Goals of the intervention The initial goals of establishing the gardens were to create more green space, allow locals to produce food for self-consumption, involve locals in the governance and offer education [Ref. 2]. The goals of the recent project focused on producing knowledge on the safety of the soil and vegetables produced, benefiting the education of the students involved and establishing intergenerational connections and learning [Ref. 3, 4]. New developments in the gardens also centred on citizen science activities with earthworms for composting to improve the management of plant waste and sustainably improve soil fertility, as well as offering educational and social opportunities for the students and gardeners [Ref. 5, 6]. Key Priorities Social Justice and community Sustainability challenge(s) addressed Environmental quality Soil quality improvement Waste management Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15) Green space creation and/or management Health and well-being (SDG 3) Creation of opportunities for recreation Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10) Social cohesion Social interaction Environmental education Sense of community and community engagement Implementation activities and NBS focus Implementation activities 1. In 1983, a committee for the Miraflores park was formed by citizens. The land was designated for the park, but it had not been built yet. 2. As part of the committee's work, the "Huerta Las Moreras Program" was created, planning for allotments and educational projects. The program was supported by the local government [Ref. 2]. 3. The urban gardens were established in 1991, and people could start to grow food [Ref. 1, 2, 7]. 4. In 2016, the City of Seville took over some of the management responsibilities for the gardens. The gardeners association was reorganised and is still running daily operations [Ref. 2] 5. In 2022, a citizen science project was organised at the gardens, where high school students measured the lead levels in the soils and plants together with the gardeners [Ref. 3, 4]. 6. In 2023, another citizen science project investigated the effects of earthworms on compost and the effects of the compost as a fertiliser in collaboration between students, the gardens and the University of Sevilla [Ref. 5, 6]. Type of NBS project Maintenance and management of urban nature Maintenance or upgrade of exisiting green spaces (e.g. parks) Knowledge creation and awareness raising Educational and awareness raising programs 3. NBS domains, ES and scale NBS domain and interventions Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented Community gardens and allotments Community gardens Amenities offered by the NBS Educational and research amenities (nature protection centre, monitoring stations) Design elements for well-being None of the above Services Expected ecosystem services delivered Provisioning services Food for human consumption (crops, vegetables) Habitat and supporting services Habitats for species Cultural services Recreation Mental and physical health and wellbeing Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational) Social and community interactions Scale Spatial scale Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level Beneficiaries Demographics in implementation area According to one source, the neighbourhood next to the park was a working-class neighbourhood when the gardens were created [Ref. 2]. It is also said that many of the residents had a rural background, meaning that the urban gardens were important for them to connect to their roots [Ref. 2, 7]. In 2021, the Norte district, where Miraflores Park is located, had the second lowest average income in the City of Sevilla [Ref. 8]. Socio-economic profile of the area Low-income Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts No Non-government actors Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches Primary Beneficiaries Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital) Researchers/University Citizens or community groups Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners) Specify primary beneficiaries 1. Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital): The citizen science projects at the gardens include high school students and contribute to their education. 2. Researchers/University: The University of Seville has been involved in the earthworm/composting project, providing research opportunities through citizen science. 3. Citizens or community groups; Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners): The local citizens can use the gardens as a recreational area or be assigned one of the plots to grow their own food. They can also participate in educational activities. The gardens are meant to improve the physical and mental health of the gardeners [Ref. 1, 2, 7]. Marginalized groups Unknown Other beneficiaries Ecosystem services (e.g. improved air quality, water purification) Public health (e.g. increased physical activity opportunities, reduced stress) 4. Governance and financing Governance Governance arrangements Co-governance with government and non-government actors Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative The gardens were started by the Gardeners Association back in 1991. The initiative was taken by local citizens, and the project was meant to address the needs of the neighbourhood. The city of Seville contributed with financial support and by offering the land. Since then, the city has taken on some of the management responsibilities [Ref. 1, 2, 7]. In the citizen science project, the regional government and its Descubre foundation has been a coordinating actor. The projects involve the gardeners along with a local high school and the University of Sevilla [Ref. 3-6]. Key actors - initiating organization Non-government organisation/civil society Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors) Regional government Local government/municipality Public sector institution Citizens or community group Researchers/university Stages of citizen and community engagement On-the-ground implementation Level of citizen and community engagement High Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives Implementation of educational programs, workshops or trainings Formation of community-led groups responsible for the the implementation, maintenace or monitoring of the project Establishment of mentorship programs or partnerships with local institutions (e.g. schools, kinder gardens, hospitals, nursing homes) Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders) Dissemination of information and education Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting) Uncommon actors ("Missing actors") Public Services Schools 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 NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation Governace and decison-making instruments Educational and knowledge sharing instruments (e.g. science/ living labs, awareness raising campaigns, specific educational programs, green hubs) Arrangements for governance cooperation Unknown Barriers Unkown 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 Public local authority budget Other funding sources are unclear Type of fund(s) used Earmarked public budget Other funding types are unknown Non-financial contribution Yes Who provided the non-financial contribution? Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services) Citizens (e.g. volunteering) Type of non-financial contribution Provision of land Provision of labour Provision of expertise Co-finance for NBS Unknown Entrepreneurship opportunities Unknown Business models Business models Local stewardship model Green education model Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model? Public actor (e.g. municipality) Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation) 5. Evaluation and learning Impacts, benefits Environmental impacts Environmental quality Improved waste management Expected improved waste management Improved soil quality Expected improved soil quality Green space and habitat Increased green space area Achieved increased green space area Increased number of species present Achieved increased number of species present Description of environmental benefits 1. Expected improved waste management: The earthworm and composting research project is aimed to improve the management of plant and food waste and promote a circular economy [Ref. 5, 6]. 2. Expected improved soil quality: The earthworm and composting and the lead pollution project both aim to address soil quality in different ways [Ref. 3-6]. 3. Achieved increased green space area: The measure 10 500 m2 of green space and was built on an old waste dump [Ref. 1, 2]. 4. Achieved increased number of species present: The gardens include different plant species grown for food as well as orchard-like structures of trees and bushes. It is described as an eco-museum displaying traditional orchards [Ref. 7]. Environmental impact indicators Green space area created (in ha) 1,05 Economic impacts Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not) Achieved increase in agricultural production (for profit or not) Description of economic benefits 1. Achieved increase in agricultural production (for profit or not): The gardens generate non-profit vegetable production for self-consumption [Ref. 1, 2, 7]. Social and cultural impacts Social justice and cohesion Improved access to urban green space Achieved improved access to urban green space Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces Increased access to healthy/affordable food Achieved increased access to healthy/affordable food Cultural heritage and sense of place Improvement in people’s connection to nature Expected improvement in people’s connection to nature Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure Achieved protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure Education Increased support for education and scientific research Achieved increased support for education and scientific research Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits Achieved increased awareness of NBS and their benefits Social and cultural impact indicators Surface area of accessible green spaces (in ha) 1,05 Description of social and cultural benefits 1. Achieved improved access to urban green space: The gardens offer green space in what was formerly a waste dump [Ref. 1, 2] 2. Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces: The gardens were started by and are still mostly run by local citizens. The association of gardeners provides democratic control and participatory management of the gardens [2, 7]. 3. Achieved increased access to healthy/affordable food: The gardens produce vegetables for the gardeners. There is no cost to take part in the association [Ref. 1, 2, 7] 4. Expected improvement in people’s connection to nature: The initiative of the gardens and the Miraflores park was a response to the perceived lack of nature in the area and a way to take back a green space for the community [Ref. 1, 2]. 5. Achieved protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure: The gardens were established in a former agricultural area and are meant to display traditional agricultural practices [Ref. 2, 7]. 6. Achieved increased support for education and scientific research; Achieved increased awareness of NBS and their benefits: The educational projects at the gardens support both the education and research of local schools and the university, and generate knowledge about the gardens and its management [Ref. 3-6]. The educational aspect is a core principle of the gardens [Ref. 2, 7]. 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 Inclusion of diverse stakeholders in project governance processes (e.g. planning, implementation, monitoring, etc.) Community forums for information sharing and encouraging the participation of marginalized groups 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 No initiatives or policies were implemented High-quality & Transformative NBS Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community) No Goal setting and impacts delivery No, project goals were not set, and benefits were not delivered in all 3 key areas. Reaching original project goals Most 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 A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project 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 The NBS has been shared or used as a good practice to trigger transformative change Perception of Environmental Change Unknown 6. Sources References 1. Gardeniser (n.d.). Las Moreras Orchard (Miraflores Park). Accessed on September 27, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 2. Pozo Haro, R. (n.d.). Huerta las Moreras: belleza y complejidad de la gestión vecinal. El Topo, Accessed on September 27, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 3. Diario de Sevilla (2022). Los cultivos del huerto urbano del Parque de Miraflores reducen los niveles de plomo en el suelo. Accessed on September 27, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 4. Fundación Descubre (2022). Un proyecto de ciencia ciudadana mide los metales en los suelos de huertos urbanos de Sevilla y aporta estrategias para rebajarlos. Accessed on September 27, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 5. City of Seville (2023). El Ayuntamiento potencia el programa de huertos urbanos en el Parque de Miraflores al colaborar en un nuevo proyecto de economía circular y reciclaje de residuos impulsado por los hortelanos, el IES Híspalis, la Universidad de Sevilla y el Distrito Norte. Accessed on September 27, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 6. Andalucía mejor con cienca (2023). Un proyecto de ciencia ciudadana confirma la viabilidad de aplicar abono de lombriz en huertos urbanos. Accessed on September 27, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 7. Mezquita Gallego, A. L. (2021). Huertos de ocio. Asociacion de Hortelanos Huerta Las Moreras, Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 8. City of Seville (2022). Anuario Estadístico de la Ciudad de Sevilla, 2022. [Source link] [Archive]; Comments and notes Public Images Image Aerial photo of the Huertas Las Moreras https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=215515010798313&set=a.215514974131650 Image A man working the soil in his allotment https://elpais.com/elpais/2017/09/18/album/1505728220_750947.html
Image Aerial photo of the Huertas Las Moreras https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=215515010798313&set=a.215514974131650
Image A man working the soil in his allotment https://elpais.com/elpais/2017/09/18/album/1505728220_750947.html
