Urban planning and green spaces in Porto
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The city of Porto is committed to claim its share of green spaces and thus improve both human and environmental health. Expanding green roofs and Native Forests, covered with trees or indigenous shrubs, in public and private spaces, foster the network of urban gardens, and the construction of water courses, are some of the ongoing actions.
The project "5º Alçado" is also an example of a successful story in Porto, with the green roofs of the Trindade Metro Station and the Clérigos Garden filled with trees and bushes.
Speaking at the IX Conference on Landscaping of Porto University (AP.UP) at the Faculty of Sciences, the Vice-Mayor of Porto, Filipe Araújo, and in charge of the Environment and Innovation Municipal Departments said that Porto City Hall is defining which models to follow regarding urban planning and green spaces.
These debate days were devoted to discussing the Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) as a way of creating sustainable cities in the future, looking at urban planning based on proper data on the economic and social benefits of green spaces in cities. Porto is part of the URBiNAT - Urban Innovative and Inclusive Nature consortium.
Another ongoing measure within the municipality of Porto is the FUN-Porto initiative. The main goal is to plant 10 thousand trees in household plots and urban gardens till 2020, as well as more than 10 thousand trees along principal transit routes by 2021.
The Vice Mayor spotlighted the importance of creating awareness on the need to follow a gradual path to sustainable development by saving resources, namely water and to develop cultivation techniques such as aquaponics, self-watering cultivation beds, wormcomposting and window farms.
The creation of the first Native Forest Network is also a measure taken by the municipality to provide for ecosystem services such as pollination, soil fertility and water availability.
Growing 15 thousand native trees and bushes per year in the city alongside ecological restoration in the Porto Metropolitan Area are other examples of the actions taken by the municipal authorities towards the common goal of building a greener city.