1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Sevilla (FUA)
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Huertos ecologicos y sociales
Short description of the intervention
This intervention is a community garden initiated in the unused spaces of the Pablo de Olavide University campus. The garden and cultivation is open to the university community, students, professors, and faculty have the opportunity to apply for shared parcels and co-manage their piece of land from the planning stages to the planting and the cultivation. The intervention is also connected to the institution's education with certain classes and workshops using its managing model and space for learning purposes. (ref 1,5,8,9)
Address

1 Ctra. de Utrera
41013 Sevilla
Spain

Location
Point location, which indicates where the NBS takes place
Total area
2000.00m²
NBS area
2000.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Previous derelict area
Other
Please specify “other type of area” before implementation of the NBS
Unused university land (ref 1)
Website of the intervention
https://twitter.com/huertosupo?lang=en
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2012
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2012
End date of the intervention
ongoing
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Please specify "other" stage of the intervention
I marked the intervention ended year as ongoing because the planting parcels are continuously redistributed and replanted, so the intervention's content is ever changing.
Goals of the intervention
Goals defined are to create a shared space for the university community to promote ecological agriculture, sustain biodiversity, and provide education about the environment through practice and participation. The intervention also includes an initiative by students to cultivate medicinal plants to preserve and explore their traditional uses. (ref 1)
Quantitative targets
1 250 m2 of campus space transformed into planting parcels of land. (ref 1)
43 parcels, each 35 m2 (ref 1)
Monitoring indicators defined
m2 land transformed (ref 1)
number of parcels (ref 1)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Inclusive governance
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Environmental education
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Economic development: agriculture
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Preservation of natural heritage
Preservation of historic traditions
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Sustainable production
Please specify "other Type of NBS project"
cultivate medicinal plants to preserve and explore their traditional uses. (ref 1)
Implementation activities
Proposal by University professors and identification of the space to be converted into the community garden. (ref 1)
Assembly formed with 168 members that partook in the planning of individual planting plots, 43 planting plots with 8 people per plot. (ref 1)
As of 2018, there are 55 plots, of 25 or 50 m2 each (ref 7)
Yearly distribution of spaces in parcels according to vacancies. (ref 1)
Different types of cultivation depending on interests and capacities of people. Some plots are used for perma-culture, others for horticulture, others for seasonal planting and harvest, this is done in an individual bases (per plot) adhering to the co-management structure of the garden. (ref 1)
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
Knowledge creation and awareness raising
Other
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Community gardens and allotments
Allotments
Community gardens
Horticulture
Please specify "other allotments and community gardens"
Some plots are used for permaculture, others for horticulture, others for seasonal planting and harvest, this is done in an individual bases (per plot) adhering to the co-management structure of the garden. (ref 1)
Please specify the number of plots or allotment gardens
55 plots, of 25 or 50 m2 each (ref 7)
Vegetation Type
Garden beds
Other
Amenities offered by the NBS
Educational and research amenities (nature protection centre, monitoring stations)
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Food for human consumption (crops, vegetables)
Raw materials
Medicinal resources
Genetic materials from all biota
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Maintenance of genetic diversity
Cultural services
Recreation
Mental and physical health and wellbeing
Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational)
Physical and experiential interactions with plants and animals
Social and community interactions
Other
Please specify "other cultural service"
cultivate medicinal plants to preserve and explore their traditional uses. (ref 1)
Scale
Spatial scale
Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Researchers/University
Citizens or community groups
Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)
Other
Please specify "other primary beneficiary"
students (Ref 1)
Governance
Governance arrangements
Led by non-government actors
Non-government actors
Researchers, university
Citizens or community groups
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The intervention was proposed by professors at the university. After its approval, students, administrative staff, and teaching faculty cooperated to plan and transform the area into planting plots which they in turn continue to maintain. (ref 1)
Key actors - initiating organization
Researchers/university
Citizens or community group
Land owners
Educational actor (schools or universities)
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Researchers/university
Citizens or community group
Land owners
Educational actor (schools or universities)
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Dissemination of information and education
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Co-management/Joint management
Citizen oversight (e.g. boards, advisory)
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
No
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
No
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
No
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
It was not linked to one specific strategic plan, but does aim to move away from rising privatization in educational institutions and alienation of individuals in the university and urban context. (source 7)
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Please specify other type of voluntary intervention
The intervention was proposed by professors at the university (ref 1)
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
No
Please specify
It was not linked to one specific strategic plan, but does aim to move away from rising privatization in educational institutions and alienation of individuals in the university and urban context. (source 7)
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
No
Please specify the general plan with GI/NBS section
It was not linked to one specific strategic plan, but does aim to move away from rising privatization in educational institutions and alienation of individuals in the university and urban context. (source 7)
Please specify other vegetation type
medicinal plants (ref 1)
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
The intervation is a Pablo Olavide University research lab and education space. The intervention resulted from researcher/ citizen initiative to create a shared space for cultivation (ref 1)
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
Unknown
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
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
It is mentioned that the intervention is a production scheme for those involved to gain food resources. (ref 1)
Please specify total cost (EUR)
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
Unknown
Type of fund(s) used
Unknown
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of land
Provision of labour
Provision of expertise
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Other
Business models
Green education model
Please specify other environmental impact
Sustainable production (ref 1)
planting of medicinal plants (ref 1)
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Citizens / local communities
Type of innovation
Social
Governance innovation
Cultural innovation
Please specify social innovation
The way the planting plots are organized and divided means that each group decides what they plant, how they manage it, how they water it and how they cultivate it. Thus, through the micro-communication of the group members they contribute to the larger context of the whole garden. (source 1 and 7) The intervention's participants identify its value in allowing them to share space and communicate with one another through the concerns for and priorities of the planting systems. Thus, the intervention's management structure, division of the plots into individual planting groups, has contributed to a horizontal communication and management structure where all involved have the same stake in the management and gardening. (source 7)
The orchard is also used for education purposes by allowing members to exchange knowledge among themselves, and being included in courses and workshops at the university. (sources 1, 3, 6, 7)
Novelty level of the innovation
The innovation is copied/derived from previous initiative(s) with substantial adaptation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
The intervention is identified to be part of the gardening practices and heritage of the region. However, it is adapted for its university context in its management structure and allows for members to explore different types of planting. Therefore, it is not strictly a vegetable garden but different plots contain horticulture, perma-culture, fruits, a diverse range of organic products.
Replicability/Transferability
Ambiguous (e.g. multiple interpretations)
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
It is not cited that its specific structure is transferred unto any other interventions but it is discussed in the context of regional orchard interventions, and other such structures in the city like the Miraflores Orchard. (source 4)
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Increased number of species present
Increased spread of native/heirloom/open-pollinated seed
Other
Please specify other economic impact
It is mentioned that the intervention is a production scheme for those involved to gain food resources. (ref 1)
Description of environmental benefits
2000 m2 of land converted into a community garden (ref 7)
Planting of horticultural products of all seasons, including lettuce, broad beans, tomatoes, peppers and zucchini; and medicinal plants (ref 1)
Economic impacts
Other
Please specify other socio-cultural impact
inclusive and improved management: horizontal communication and management structure where all involved have the same stake in the management and gardening. (Ref 7)
Description of economic benefits
It is mentioned that the intervention is a production scheme for those involved to gain food resources. (ref 1)
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved social cohesion
Fair distribution of social, environmental and economic benefits of the NBS project
Improved access to urban green space
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Increased access to healthy/affordable food
Increased sustainability of agriculture practices
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Education
Increased support for education and scientific research
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Other
Description of social and cultural benefits
Green Access: plots open to all members of the university community, including students, professors, and staff (ref 1)
Local Green Governance: 168 members took part in planning of individual plots (ref 1); The way the planting plots are organized and divided means that each group decides what they plant, how they manage it, how they water it and how they cultivate it (ref 1)
Provision of Healthy Food: plots used for horticultural purposes (ref 1)
Environmental Education & Social Interaction: various agroecology trainings/ workshops held utilizing the garden as an educational resource (ref 8,9)
Thus, through the micro-communication of the group members they contribute to the larger context of the whole garden. (Ref 1 and 7) The intervention's participants identify its value in allowing them to share space and communicate with one another through the concerns for and priorities of the planting systems. Thus, the intervention's management structure, division of the plots into individual planting groups, has contributed to a horizontal communication and management structure where all involved have the same stake in the management and gardening. (Ref 7)
The orchard is also used for education purposes by allowing members to exchange knowledge among themselves, and being included in courses and workshops at the university. (Ref 1, 3, 6, 7)
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
area of garden [m2] (ref 1,7); environmental educational opportunities (ref 1,8,9); number of participants (ref 1)
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Environmental quality
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
Voluntary work opportunities
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Improved access to green and/or blue spaces
Increased access to healthy food for humans and/or animals
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
In May 2020, the university reopened their gardens (ref 11). In April 2020, the City Council of Sevilla partially opened urban gardens, allowing access to them for 2 hours a week. Prior to this, all parks were closed since March 2020. (ref 10)
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
Unknown
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
Ref. 1 La UPO convierte 1.250 metros cuadrados de su campus en huertos ecológic…
Ref. 5 La UPO y la Asociación Fuente de la Reja promoverán actividades de educa…
Ref. 7 Huertos ecológicos y sociales en la Universidad Pablo de Olavide
Ref. 8 Curso-taller Introducción a la Agricultura Ecológica, enfocada a los hue…
Ref. 9 Esta tarde, sesión teórico – práctica para conocer la biodiversidad en l…
Ref. 10 El Ayuntamiento de Sevilla permitirá el acceso a los huertos urbanos do…
Ref. 11 La vuelta a campus
Video: Huertos Urbanos UPO
List of references
1. Diario de la Universidad de Pablo Olivade (DUPO). (2013). La UPO convierte 1.250 metros cuadrados de su campus en huertos ecológicos y sociales. Sevilla: DUPO. Available at: https://www.upo.es/diario/institucional/2013/06/la-upo-convierte-1-250-metros-cuadrados-de-su-campus-en-huertos-ecologicos-y-sociales/ [Accessed: 24 September 2020].
2. Universidad de Pablo Olivade (UPO). (2014). Anuncio de taller, Jornadas sobre Agricultura Ecológica en la UPO. Sevilla: UPO. [Not available in 2020].
3. UPO. (2017). Huertos Urbanos: Buenas Prácticas Sociales, Ambientales y Territoriales, VII Edición (Course description). Sevilla: UPO. [Not available in 2020].
4. Vera Rodriguez, C. (2014). Trabajo de Fin de Grado: Investigacion Socio-Educativa El Huerto Como Herramienta de Intervencion Social. Sevilla: Faculty of Social Sciences, UPO, 21-22. [Not available in 2020].
5. DUPO. (2013). La UPO y la Asociación Fuente de la Reja promoverán actividades de educación ambiental en agroecología. Sevilla: DUPO. Available at: https://www.upo.es/diario/institucional/2013/11/la-upo-y-la-asociacion-fuente-de-la-reja-promoveran-actividades-de-educacion-ambiental-en-agroecologia/ [Accessed: 24 September 2020].
6. Centro para el Desarrollo de la Comunicación y la Imagen. (2013). HUERTOS URBANOS. Sevilla: CEDECOM. [Not available in 2020].
7. Aula Magna. (2018). Huertos ecológicos y sociales en la Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Available at: https://www.aulamagna.com.es/huertos-ecologicos-y-sociales-en-la-universidad-pablo-de-olavide/ [Accessed: 24 September 2020].
8. El Enjambre Sin Reina. (2014). Curso-taller Introducción a la Agricultura Ecológica, enfocada a los huertos de la UPO. Available at: https://elenjambresinreina.eu/cv/curso-taller-introduccion-la-agricultura-ecologica-enfocada-los-huertos-de-la-upo-0 [Accessed: 24 September 2020].
9. DUPO. (2019). Esta tarde, sesión teórico – práctica para conocer la biodiversidad en los huertos de la UPO. Available at: https://www.upo.es/diario/institucional/2019/02/manana-sesion-teorico-practica-para-conocer-la-biodiversidad-en-los-huertos-de-la-upo/ [Accessed: 24 September 2020].
10. Ybarra Bores, P. (2020). El Ayuntamiento de Sevilla permitirá el acceso a los huertos urbanos dos horas a la semana. ABC de Sevilla. Available at: https://sevilla.abc.es/sevilla/sevi-coronavirus-sevilla-ayuntamiento-sevilla-permitira-acceso-huertos-urbanos-horas-semana-202004150728_noticia.html [Accessed: 24 September 2020].
11. Munoz, C. (2020). La vuelta a campus. Andaluciainformacion.es. Available at: https://andaluciainformacion.es/sevilla/898395/la-vuelta-al-campus/ [Accessed: 24 September 2020].
Additional comments
2017 comment:
Ref 6 is a video segment from the local television station. [Not available in 2020]
Comments and notes
Comments
2020 comments:
Previous reviewer (2017) made reference to a Ref. 7, but this wasn’t included in the list of references. The Ref. 7 mentioned throughout the questionnaire (2020) is for the entry that is in the current list of references (Aula Magna, 2018).
Additional insights
2020 comments:
Previous reviewer (2017) mentioned that the university land was that was being "under used", but I couldn’t find the reference to support that.
Pictures of the NBS
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/huertos_olavide.jpg
Public Images
Ecological and Social Orchards (2010)
Ecological and Social Orchards (2010)
Photographer: Raul Puente, retrieved 05/28/2018
Ecological and Social Orchards 1
Source: Ref. 1
Ecological and Social Orchards 2
Source: Ref. 1
Ecological and Social Orchards 3
Source: Ref. 1
Ecological and Social Orchards 4
Source: Ref. 1
Please specify other source of non-financial contribution
University/ researchers (ref 1)