Index Anillo Verde de Vitoria-Gasteiz

The principles or criteria used in the design, development, management and maintenance of the spaces that make up the Green Belt, have been formulated in order to pursue values of ecoefficiency, economy of resources, adaptation to the landscape and the morphology of the location, functionality for public use and many other issues. The aim is not only to secure economic savings but also clear ecological advantages.

Some examples that illustrate the way in which this type of criteria has been applied and taken into consideration in such different aspects as equipment or plant management are given below.

Infrastructures and equipment: a "different" approach

The parks in the Green Belt have been provided with a number of unique characteristics: they have no artificial lighting, most of the tracks are made from compacted earth and the rubbish collection points, information, car parks and fountains are located exclusively near the entrances to the parks in contact with the city. In short, our intention has been to eliminate all similarities with an urban park in order to invite users to adopt an attitude of respect for nature.

Efficient and easily-maintained materials

Basically, stone, steel and wood are the materials used for the construction of furniture and equipment. The expressive sincerity of materials, economy of resources, durability and ease of maintenance are the established design criteria, in addition to compliance with environmental protection and energy efficiency regulations.

Planting and sowing according to ecological criteria

The plants used in the parks are native species and come mainly from a forestry nursery located within the Green Belt. In this nursery, ecological criteria are used for growing plants, and the quality ratios are established more in accordance with biological and genetic questions than aesthetic.

The planting criteria with regard to the placing, layout and mixture of plants and bushes in the plantations are based on ecological criteria. In other words, rather than intending to create a specific landscape, the characteristics of the plantations are determined in accordance with the specific ecosystem and its potential. The main motives when preparing plantations are the regeneration of degraded places or the acceleration of natural processes to establish plant communities.

The grass used is slow growing and requires little water. In the mixture of seeds, we have sought qualities such as hardiness and resistance to disease and the weather conditions characteristic of this area.

Plant management according to criteria of sustainability and the economy of resources

As a support during the first stages of growth of plants, natural fertilisers from compost were used, produced with the remains of cleared vegetation, pruning and mowing in the parks themselves. Localised irrigation also aims to avoid as many failed areas as possible in the plantations.

Pruning is not done systematically or for ornamental purposes, but purely for safety or health reasons. Likewise, grassy surfaces are mowed where use by the public makes this necessary and there is a division between the more protected areas and those that allow a more intensive use. In those areas where mowing is done annually, the amount of grass cut is half that of green urban areas. There is no irrigation and so the state of the grass reflects the passing of the seasons and the natural cycle of herbaceous species.

Permanent maintenance and conservation service of the Green Belt

There is a permanent maintenance service in the Green Belt that monitors the state of conservation of the plants in the Parks including the mowing of grass and treed meadows, irrigation, digging, fertilising, hoeing, pruning, replacing dead plants, sowing and planting, as well as other related tasks.

There is also a service responsible for maintaining the equipment and signposting in the Green Belt. Its work includes ensuring that these are kept in the best possible state of conservation, as well as the repair, refitting and replacement of damaged equipment due to normal wear and tear or due to accidents or vandalism.

The overall maintenance of the Belt includes a general cleaning service that comprises the clearing of riverbanks after periods of flooding, the removal of rubbish and graffiti from signposts and equipment and other tasks.