Headed by the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia, with the economic participation of several local companies, this action of the project has an investment of 94,720 euros.
The City Council of Molina de Segura, through the Department of Environment, has awarded the works of the project Reforestation and establishment of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) for adaptation to Climate Change in the Nelson Mandela Park, included in the LIFE19 CCA/ES/001209- CITYAdaP3 programme for adaptation to Climate Change in Molina de Segura, for an amount of 94,720 euros.
This project consists of three complementary actions that are intended to be a pilot model to be replicated in other green areas of the municipality, to address the adverse effects of climate change that occur in Molina de Segura, such as extreme heat waves, heavy storms and floods and the effects of droughts. At the same time it contributes to the increase of biodiversity and air quality in the city, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life of the residents of the municipality.
This action is part of the LIFE CITYAdaP3- LIFE19 CCA/ES/001209 project on adaptation to climate change, led by the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia, with the collaboration of the Chair of Corporate Social Responsibility of the University of Murcia and the Eurovértice consultancy, with the participation of the municipalities of Alcantarilla, LorquÃ, Molina de Segura, from Spain, and the municipality of Reggio Emilia in Italy.
The novelty of this LIFE CITYAdaP3 project, in relation to other European projects, is the public-private participation, with the economic investment of local companies from the four participating municipalities. The Molina de Segura project involves the companies Eversia, Ribera Hospital de Molina, Sercomosa, Azor Ambiental, Auxiliar Conservera, Capitrans and Soltec.
The councillor for the Environment, Mariano Vicente Albaladejo, states that "among the policies of adaptation to Climate Change there is a clear commitment to measures based on the integration of nature in urban environments, also highlighting the importance and potential for adaptation of cities, for its capacity for urban transformation and proximity to citizens. That is why, from the City Council of Molina de Segura, we participate in this European project LIFE CITYAdaP3, led by the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia, and we thank from this institution the collaboration of the seven local companies involved, so that this pilot action and other exemplary actions of adaptation to climate change, constitute a resource for future adaptation actions in our city and other cities".
The actions to be carried out in Nelson Mandela Park to adapt to climate change are as follows:
1. Improvement and conditioning of paths and flowerbeds in the park and the establishment of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), with the aim of retaining runoff from heavy rainfall, laminating the peak flow, reducing the effects of flooding in Avenida del Chorrico, and preventing erosion and soil dragging from the flowerbeds, given the 6% slope of Nelson Mandela Park. These works have been awarded to the company Retamar, Obras, Servicios y Medio Ambiente, SL, for 43,681 euros.
2. Forestry works for the revision of existing plants with the elimination of invasive and allochthonous species, and reforestation with autochthonous species, to increase the number of trees, generate shade, create more ecological diversity, and create humid environments with species adapted to the climate of the city of Molina de Segura and the characteristics of the soil. This work will be preceded by a study and analysis of environmental indicators and the current climatic and hydrological conditions of the Nelson Mandela Park, with the collection of data that will subsequently allow the effectiveness of the measures adopted to be checked. This action has been awarded to the company Natura Constructiva, SL, for 34,390 euros.
3. Finally, informative and interpretative panels will be installed on the elements of interest in the Nelson Mandela Park, on its ecological aspects (fauna, flora, biodiversity...), on the importance of incorporating nature-based solutions in the city to adapt to climate change and on the functioning of sustainable drainage systems (SUDS). Also included in this last phase is the installation of urban furniture, such as benches, litter bins and bicycle racks. This final action will be carried out by the company Ecoespuña, SL, for an amount of 16,648 euros.
The final objective of this CITYAdaP3 project is to achieve a pilot action demonstrating how the city of Molina de Segura can adapt to the adverse effects of Climate Change with an anticipatory policy, which aims to avoid damage and generate savings in the future, by reducing expenditure on response actions. For example, for every euro invested in flood protection, 6 euros can be saved by avoiding the costs derived from damages.
Nature-based solutions (NBS) are defined by the European Commission as "solutions to societal challenges that are inspired and supported by nature; that are cost-effective and provide environmental, social and economic benefits, and help to increase resilience".