Nature-based Urban Regeneration through Water: Integrating the water cycle in urban renaturalization
NatUR-W is regenerating Barrios Altos, a neighbourhood in Lorca’s historic centre, to combat energy poverty and the inefficient use of natural water resources in the face of climate change and rising temperatures.
The project’s new urban regeneration system uses self-sustaining nature-based solutions (NbS) that respect the natural water cycle in the area. Actions include improving energy efficiency of social housing and public buildings, and creating green areas that can act as bioclimatic shelters. In this way, NbS will help improve living conditions, providing Ecosystem Services (ES) and supporting the recovery of the historic city centre.
About
The aim of NatUR-W is to address urban challenges brought about by energy poverty and climate change, in particular extreme heat events and water scarcity. Through this project, the city of Lorca in Murcia is developing and implementing ‘NatUR-W Plans’ to meet these challenges. The proposed solution respects the natural water cycle, using innovative, inclusive, sustainable and self-sufficient Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to improve the energy efficiency of social housing and public buildings, create more green space, and regenerate the historic city centre.
NbS implementation focuses on two key aspects. First, several public buildings will be fitted with a green wall that uses a new insulation system based on recycled and sustainable materials. Second, a part of the surrounding area will be renatured and converted into a new public green space. These NbS will improve living conditions in and around local residential buildings and create green areas that can act as bioclimatic shelters and provide several Ecosystem Services (ES).
Engagement, governance and replication processes will be achieved through specific training and tools, such as an NbS crowdfunding platform and stakeholders board.
Ultimately, this new urban regeneration system (NatURW Plans) will facilitate economic development, and enable replication of the solution in other areas.
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The European Urban Initiative is an essential tool of the urban dimension of Cohesion Policy for the 2021-2027 programming period. The initiative established by the European Union supports cities of all sizes, to build their capacity and knowledge, to support innovation and develop transferable and scalable innovative solutions to urban challenges of EU relevance.
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