NatUR-W new urban forest for Barrios Altos, Lorca: insights over design, challenges and opportunities for the development climate just parks

Lorca, a historic city in southeastern Spain, is undergoing a significant transformation that brings together sustainability, social justice, and community well-being, that was presented in previous article introducing the project. One of the key features of the NatUR-W project is the creation of a new urban forest in Barrios Altos, a district historically squeezed between the city center and the iconic Lorca Castle. This new park, combining environmental stewardship and community-driven design, will not only provide a vital green space for the neighbourhood, but will also serve as a model for climate adaptation, water management, and urban regeneration. The park will enhance the quality of life for Barrios Altos' residents, many of whom have long felt disconnected from the rest of the city. The urban park in Barrios Altos is designed with both ecological and social sustainability in mind. The project’s core objective is to create a vibrant public space that encourages outdoor activities, social interaction, and community engagement. The park’s design integrates nature-based solutions (NbS) that not only improve environmental quality but also address critical urban challenges like heat island effects, water scarcity, and social inclusion. The design brings together green space, historical elements, and new infrastructure, creating a dynamic environment that is both a cultural and environmental asset.

The project currently under development foresee an urban forest that is composed by:

• Area 1: Urban Forest and Green Integration; it is largest section of the park situated in the upper slope, that will be characterized by an urban forest with dense vegetation coverage. The integration of diverse species of plants is the core principle of this space, balancing ecological restoration, cooling effect, biodiversity, and potential recreational uses
• Area 2: Social Space and Urban Connection; this area will serve as the main meeting and connection point in the park, acting as a link between external public roads and the park’s interior. The multi-level design optimizes the use of terrain and incorporates strategic viewpoints that offer panoramic views of Lorca, reinforcing its symbolic and social value.
• Area 3: Main Entrance to the Park. It is designed to welcome visitors while reinforcing the park’s identity. This space integrates architectural and natural elements, including a metal pergola with climbing plants. The structure provides shade, enhancing thermal comfort, while symbolizing the fusion between infrastructure and vegetation.
• Area 4: The Entrance Plaza plays a key role in ensuring accessibility and integrating the park with the urban fabric. This zone focuses on adapting the existing roadway, renaturalizing concrete slopes, and creating a new plaza that acts as a transition space between the city and nature.
• Area 5: Visual Integration with the Park and focuses on aesthetic enhancement and integration of existing walls, which play a fundamental role in the visual perception of the park. These walls will not just serve as boundaries but also become active landscape elements that reinforce the park’s identity, reconnecting ht epark with the rest of the area.
• Area 6: Plaza de la Roca (Rock Plaza) and Biofilter is designed as an ecological and social space, functioning as a rainwater collection and biofilter plaza. This area regulates water flows while serving as a key landmark, connecting the historic district and former prison, that is part of one of the other solutions that will be implemented by the Natur-W project in the city of Lorca. The design had to be adapted to a pre-existing rock, which had previously been incorporated into the houses that were demolished to create the plaza.  The natural rock elements blend into the landscape.

Water is a central theme in the park’s design, serving as both an aesthetic feature and a practical solution to climate challenges. The project has incorporated an innovative water management system that will not only reduce the park's reliance on drinking water for irrigation, but it will also help mitigating flood risks and promoting water conservation for drought period. By integrating rainwater harvesting techniques, the park captures runoff from surrounding streets, filters it through biofilters, and stores it in reservoirs for later use in irrigation.

This approach ensures the park remains lush and green, even during dry periods, while reducing the pressure on local water resources. In a region where water scarcity is a pressing issue, this sustainable water system is a model for how urban parks can contribute to climate adaptation efforts. By reusing rainwater, the park contributes to local resilience, mitigating the risk of flooding while supporting biodiversity and providing cooling effects in the urban environment. Additionally, the water features in the park will enhance the microclimate, helping to cool down the area during the hot summer months. This is especially important in urban environments where the heat island effect – caused by concrete and asphalt absorbing heat – can raise temperatures significantly. The introduction of green spaces, coupled with water management systems, reduces this effect and provides a cooler, more comfortable environment for the community.

The park’s design offers a comprehensive solution to urban climate challenges. In addition to its sustainable water management system, the park incorporates a variety of features that help adapt to climate change. One key component is the creation of green areas that mitigate the heat island effect. By replacing impervious surfaces with permeable areas and incorporating shaded spots, the park significantly reduces the surrounding temperature, creating a cooler microclimate. This is especially beneficial for the residents of Barrios Altos, who are often exposed to higher temperatures due to the dense urban environment.

The park also prioritizes biodiversity through the selection of native plant species that thrive in the local climate. This approach supports local wildlife and enhances the overall ecological resilience of the area. The green spaces will act as ecological corridors that help maintain biodiversity in the urban environment, offering habitats for birds, insects, and other wildlife that are increasingly scarce in cities.

The design of the park is deeply rooted in the values of social justice and community cohesion. The park aims to serve as a space that is accessible and inclusive for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or socioeconomic background. For the residents of Barrios Altos, many of whom have experienced marginalization within the city, this park is not just a recreational space; it is a symbol of their inclusion and a tool for enhancing their quality of life. A significant portion of the design process involved engaging with the local community to ensure the park would meet their needs and reflect their aspirations as already presented in the previous article over stakeholders’ and citizens’ engagement in co-design activities. Indeed the project team, in collaboration with the city of Lorca, organized workshops where residents shared their ideas and concerns. As part of the Natur-W project, the development of a multifunctional urban park in Lorca has been guided by the input and preferences of local residents. Throughout a series of co-design workshops, the community played an active role in shaping the park, ensuring it meets both environmental objectives and their everyday needs.

What community requests have influenced the design?

One of the key requests from citizens was the creation of a space for outdoor performances, such as concerts, dancing, and other cultural activities. In response, a small amphitheatre has been included in the design, providing the community with a dedicated space for such events. This new structure has been placed on the site of the former pumping station of the Taibilla Water Authority, transforming a previously underused area into a vibrant community gathering space. Residents also expressed a desire for areas dedicated to crafts and educational activities. In response, one of the old storage rooms has been renovated and repurposed as a multipurpose space that can host workshops, classes, and other community-driven activities.

Which of the needs identified presented challenges in the implementation?

While the park design addressed many community needs, certain requests presented challenges. For example, some of the play areas were limited by budget constraints. Although features like a slide and ping-pong tables couldn’t be installed, the design successfully incorporates child-friendly play zones that allow for supervision by parents, as the community had requested. Another challenge was coordinating the tree and plant species suggested by citizens with the available options recommended by the Department of Parks and Gardens. While not all requests could be fully implemented, efforts were made to incorporate as many community suggestions as possible while ensuring the species chosen are best suited for the park’s environment.

Which aspects were hard to integrate at this stage?

The most challenging aspect was ensuring full accessibility for people using wheelchairs, due to the park’s challenging topography and budget constraints. While it was not possible to make the entire perimeter accessible, key areas—such as the main entrance, the newly designed access near the storage buildings, and the central gathering space—are all now accessible by wheelchair. The slope in the park’s lower section was also softened to make it more manageable, and handrails were installed throughout the park to improve safety and accessibility. By incorporating the community’s feedback into the park’s design, the project reflects a shared vision for a space that is inclusive, sustainable, and multifunctional—serving the needs of residents while addressing broader environmental goals.

In terms of social impact, the park will play a vital role in enhancing social cohesion. By providing spaces for recreation, relaxation, and community events, it offers residents a shared space that fosters interaction and collective identity. The park’s design encourages active living, with dedicated areas for children, families, and elderly residents to engage in physical activities, from playing sports to simply enjoying the outdoors. This inclusivity fosters a sense of belonging, strengthening the social fabric of Barrios Altos. Furthermore, the park’s design promotes environmental education. By incorporating elements like water management systems, biodiversity showcases, and green infrastructure, the park will serve as an educational tool for the community, helping them understand the importance of sustainability and the role they can play in preserving their environment. This empowerment is crucial in creating a culture of environmental stewardship, where residents take pride in their park and are motivated to care for it.

The creation of the urban park is a direct response to the historical marginalization of Barrios Altos. For many years, this neighborhood has felt physically and socially disconnected from the rest of Lorca. The park, with its inclusive design and focus on community needs, seeks to rectify this imbalance by providing a space that is accessible to all. The involvement of the local community in the design process ensures that their voices are heard and that the park meets their specific needs. The park is not just a green space; it is a tool for addressing urban inequality. By offering a high-quality public space in a historically underserved neighborhood, the park helps level the playing field for Barrios Altos residents. It provides opportunities for recreation, education, and cultural activities that were previously unavailable, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or socio-economic status, has access to the benefits of a well-designed urban park.

The urban park in Barrios Altos is more than just a space for leisure; it is a transformative project that addresses key urban challenges while promoting climate resilience, social justice, and community well-being. The park’s focus on sustainable water management, green infrastructure, and biodiversity could make it a model for climate adaptation, while its commitment to inclusivity and community cohesion ensures that it will serve as a hub for social interaction and cultural engagement. While for the the residents of Barrios Altos, this park may represent a nice place where nature, sustainability, and social equity come together, the main challenge for the city of Lorca hold now into the design of maintenance, governance and stewardship model that would make the urban forest live sustainably in the future.