A delegation from the Institute of Territorial Studies of Galicia recently participated in a conference on this subject in the context of the POECTEP Green Gap Project Activities.
The Xunta emphasized the importance of green infrastructure for landscape protection and biodiversity conservation in light of the consequences of climate change at the cross-border congress for green infrastructure. The importance of nature in humanized areas, which was recently held in the Portuguese city of Paredes de Coura.
Green infrastructure ‘makes a difference’
The delegation of the Institute for Territorial Studies (IET) that took part in this meeting, in the framework of the activities of the POECTEP Green Gap project, led by this entity dependent on the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, emphasized the importance of creating one network of spaces and elements that improve resilience to climate changecontribute to the conservation of biodiversity and benefit the surrounding population.
In this sense, after recalling that Galicia was the first autonomous community to adopt a green infrastructure strategy and ecological connectivity and restoration, he emphasized the need to take action in cities by promoting initiatives such as the construction of green streets with native species , together with the use of natural paving, contribute to mitigating the ‘heat island effect’.
Next to the implementation of new spaces such as facades, roofs, walls and green balconies; the design of parks and gardens; taking advantage of the opportunities offered by peripheral areas (country roads, recreational areas, etc.).
Under this initiative, in addition to the design of a planning and management of the territory creating a territorial network If it continues among the spaces of the greatest ecological, landscape and cultural value, coordination between the different government services will be strengthened to ensure the success of the implementation of this initiative, and information, education and participation of citizens in this matter will be a priority to get.
We should not forget that the IET leads the Green Gap project, which, with a budget of more than 2.1 million euros, financed under the Spain-Portugal Interreg program (POCTEP 2021-2027), aims has to contribute to local authorities playing a more relevant role in the promoting green infrastructure in this area. A group of local entities, supra-municipal authorities with powers in this area and university entities from the Euregio Galicia-Northern Portugal are participating in this initiative.
On the Galician side, the Universidade da Coruña, the Municipal Council of Pontevedra, the Provincial Council of Ourense and the CEER Foundation are involved, while on the Portuguese side the Chamber of Walls of Coura, the University of Minho and the Chamber of Guimarães are part of the project , the Guimarães Landscape Laboratory, as well as the Portuguese Environment Agency and the Instituto de la Conservação da Naturaleza das Florestas.
Cities have needs adapt to the problems associated with global warming and its dire consequences, green infrastructures can be a great help in achieving this.