LORCA
NatUR-W - Nature-based Urban Regeneration through Water: Integrating the water cycle in urban renaturalization
About the project
The aim of NatUR-W is to address urban challenges brought about by energy poverty and climate change, in particular extreme heat events and water scarcity. Through this project, the city of Lorca in Murcia is developing and implementing ‘NatUR-W Plans’ to meet these challenges. The proposed solution respects the natural water cycle, using innovative, inclusive, sustainable and self-sufficient Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to improve the energy efficiency of social housing and public buildings, create more green space, and regenerate the historic city centre.
NbS implementation focuses on two key aspects. First, several public buildings will be fitted with a green wall that uses a new insulation system based on recycled and sustainable materials. Second, a part of the surrounding area will be renatured and converted into a new public green space. These NbS will improve living conditions in and around local residential buildings and create green areas that can act as bioclimatic shelters and provide several Ecosystem Services (ES).
Engagement, governance and replication processes will be achieved through specific training and tools, such as an NbS crowdfunding platform and stakeholders board.
Ultimately, this new urban regeneration system (NatURW Plans) will facilitate economic development, and enable replication of the solution in other areas.
Challenges
The main challenges being addressed by the project are:
energy poverty, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and
water scarcity.
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Barrios Altos has fallen into major disrepair. 60% of dwellings are reported to be in a dilapidated, bad or deficient state, with many households facing energy poverty. 50% of households say they are unable to keep their homes cool enough in summer.
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The local semiarid climate means summers are very hot. The region is seeing an increase in temperatures and the frequency of extreme heat waves.
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Rainfall in the area is usually torrential, falling mostly within a few days in spring or autumn, and water resources are limited. This makes it increasingly difficult to maintain healthy green spaces that can act as shelters.
Proposed solutions
The proposed solution is to regenerate the urban area of Barrios Altos through innovative, sustainable and self-sufficient NbS that incorporate natural water cycle management. To start the regeneration of the area, NatUR-W is focusing on three key actions. First, the rehabilitation of three social housing dwellings for vulnerable citizens. Second, the renovation of the interior of an old prison building. And third, the creation of a new green space on previously unused land.
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Certain buildings are being fitted with a new system called GreenThermoWall, which uses biopolyurethane as a substrate for the plants. This substrate acts as an insulating material to keep indoor temperatures in the dwellings at comfortable levels.
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Sustainability is central to this solution. Repurposing existing reservoirs to collect and store seasonal rainwater, the NbS integrate the area’s natural water cycle, increasing the city’s water supply, and improving irrigation and water management.
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The NbS will be implemented according to an Urban Regeneration Plan, including a participatory plan based on citizens’ real needs. NbS bring a range of social and economic benefits – such as reduced maintenance and better durability.
Milestones
A stakeholders board will be created to take part in all major management decisions
Improvements include new, insulating GreenThermoWalls and indoor bioclimatic measures
Improvements include new, insulating GreenThermoWalls and indoor bioclimatic measures
Open space and water basins rehabilitated to improve water management and create a new urban park