Planning a multi-ecological neighbourhood as a model of urban resilience (LIFE Lugo + Biodinámico)

Description:

Urban environmental issues operate at different scales, and this is the case for climate change adaptation strategies that necessarily complement mitigation measures. Adaptation and mitigation operate at different spatial scales: while mitigation measures have a global effect; adaptation strategies must be designed at the regional or local scale depending on the climate change impact. Urban planning must therefore take into account these variable scenarios, by means of resilience-based strategies that integrate the long-term impacts of climate change. This can be done using the ‘flexible planning’ of biodynamic models.

The general objective of the LIFE Lugo + Biodinámico project is to implement an innovative urban planning strategy in the city of Lugo. Actions will be applied in residential areas, to achieve a resilient urban landscape prepared to face and to minimise the effects of climate change. The specific objectives are to:

• Produce a strategic plan for new urban development based on the promotion of the local timber industry and the sustainable management of forests;
• Identify and valorise the Linear River Park, formed by the Miño, Rato and Fervedoira basins, as a Green Climatic Protection infrastructure;
• Improve the environmental connectivity of the action plan area by implementing a multifunctional open-air space system;
• Identify a set of proven solutions that can be implemented at a small scale to improve the climate change adaptation potential of urban areas;
• Develop a strategy to boost the economy of the adjacent industrial complex of As Gándaras through new activities related to the bioeconomy sector;
• Apply participating programmes to involve citizens in climate adaptation strategies;
• Restore and implement demonstration actions for ecosystems in the area; and
• Launch the portable wood pavilion ‘Impulso Verde’ (Green Impulse), which will emphasise the concept of ‘ultra-adaptability’ for future urban developments.

 

The implementation of the innovative urban planning concept in the city of Lugo will deliver the following actions and achieve the following results:

• Integrated planning of a resilient bioclimatic neighbourhood that consumes practically no energy and is largely planned with local wood systems, in an area of 20 ha including development land close to an existing business complex;
• Design and detailed planning of new residential areas (1 500 new housing commission homes) classified as ‘Micro-Climatic Comfort Zones’;
• Special Biodynamic Plan to promote the progressive environmental and socio-economic adaptation of the pilot area to climate change;
• Catalogue of urban design solutions ‘Adapt +’ comprising at least 30 climate adaption interventions;
• Report on ‘Restoration of the Environment and Business Complex landscape’ in As Gándaras; and
• The launch of the information centre, constructed with local timber and having close to a zero energetic balance.

Project information

Lead

Lugo City Council

Partners

Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain

Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. Campus de Lugo, Spain

Source of funding

LIFE programme