KH-30-11-346-EN-C VITORIAGASTEIZ European Green Capital 2012 European Commission Vitoria-Gasteiz — European Green Capital 2012 Luxembourg: Publications Offi ce of the European Union 2012 — 56 pp. — 21 x 21 cm ISBN 978-92-79-22139-2 doi:10.2779/86055
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Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2012
ISBN 978-92-79-22139-2 To order the publication, which is available free of charge while stocks last: doi:10.2779/86055 For a single copy: via the EU Bookshop – the on-line access to European Union publications: © European Union, 2012 http:// bookshop.europa.eu Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. For several copies: Printed in Belgium via the nearest national Europe Direct information centre: http://europa.eu/europedirect/meet_us/index_en.htm PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER THAT HAS BEEN AWARDED THE EU ECO-LABEL FOR GRAPHIC PAPER (www.ecolabel.eu) VITORIAGASTEIZ European Green Capital 2012 Photos: All the pictures are the property of Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council. Most of the photos are from QUINTAS FOTOGRAFOS (including the cover) and SINESTESIA (pages 38 and 46). Table of contents
Foreword 5 By Janez Potočnik, Commissioner for the Environment 5 Message from Javier Maroto, Mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz 7 Vitoria-Gasteiz is European Green Capital 2012 9 Vitoria-Gasteiz at a glance 15 Why is Vitoria-Gasteiz special? 23 A green urban system 27 The educational city 37 What impressed the experts 41 Vitoria-Gasteiz: a model for Europe 45 Vitoria-Gasteiz – beyond the Green Capital 51
VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 5
A greener future for our cities
The European Green Capital Award has been very successful in attracting a wide range of interest throughout Europe. Since the Award was launched in 2010, 46 diff erent cities in 22 European countries have competed for the title. Over the past three years, city authorities have been sharing their experience in developing sustainable environments for their inhabitants, and have set valuable examples that can help other cities fi nd new solutions to the many complex challenges they face.
Today, three out of four citizens in Europe live in cities, and this proportion continues to increase. But, as urban areas expand, so does demand for housing, transport, waste disposal, energy, clean air, water and other limited resources. We need to fi nd more environmentally friendly ways to meet these demands, to address the growing health problems caused by urban pollution and to use our limited natural resources more effi ciently. In other words, we need to move towards greener cities and a greener future. At the European Commission, we believe that the best answers can only come from within the cities. The European Green Capital Award is one way to inspire and support European cities as they evolve towards that greener future.
I am delighted that the 2012 title is going to Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spain. Although the city is a lot smaller than the previous winners – Stockholm and Hamburg – it has outstanding environmental experience. This proves that when it comes to green living, all cities, large and small, have an important role to play. Vitoria-Gasteiz can inspire similar medium-sized cities throughout Europe. In the course of the year, we will be enjoying the programme of activities it has prepared to celebrate its success in securing the Green Capital Award. It will certainly give its citizens a year to remember, underlining the city’s quest to become a pleasant, healthy and sustainable metropolis that off ers an exceptional quality of life to all its residents.
In 2013, the title will pass to the next award winner: the city of Nantes in France. But before that, we have a great deal to look forward to – and learn – in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Janez Potočnik European Commissioner for the Environment
VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 7
Message from Javier Maroto, Mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz
Vitoria-Gasteiz, capital of the Basque Country, in northern Spain, is one of Europe’s cities with the largest proportion of green areas per inhabitant, approximately 45m2 per person. A quiet and accessible city, but also one that is active, dynamic, vibrant, modern; a city that prides itself on over 10 million m2 of parks and green areas that are available for walking, cycling, observing deer or birdwatching. Such is Vitoria-Gasteiz, the European city with the highest commitment to the environment at present.
We have not reached this point by chance. The European Green Capital 2012 Award is the result of over 30 years of commitment to sustainability in our city. It is thanks to the environmental policies implemented during these years and thanks to the commitment of our citizens and their good practices in relation to recycling, mobility or water consumption, that Vitoria-Gasteiz has become an example for Europe.
In Vitoria-Gasteiz, our understanding of and respect for the environment has always been part of our identity. Our city has a 613 hectare Green Belt that will soon cover 960 hectares, a successful Sustainable Mobility Plan, a new bus network, a tram system, over 90 km of bike lanes and an extensive network of parks and city walks, a sustainable water-management system, and established recycling habits and policies.
Today, we are an environmental benchmark. Three-quarters of Europeans live in cities. Our experience serves as a benchmark because most cities are a similar size to ours. Being the European Green Capital 2012 is an exciting challenge. It is a unique and historic opportunity for Vitoria-Gasteiz to boost and develop the future of our city. The environment is the future, it is quality of life, it is sustainability and it is about doing more with less. We shall do a good job, all together, and we shall enjoy it.
Javier Maroto Mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz
VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 9
Vitoria-Gasteiz is European Green Capital 2012
Vitoria-Gasteiz, capital of the Basque Country in northern Spain, is the third European city to gain the prestigious title of European Green Capital since the scheme was launched in 2010, following in the footsteps of Stockholm and Hamburg.
It was selected from the six outstanding fi nalists in a fi eld of 17 candidates. The award evaluators found Four out of fi ve that: “The city shows much enthusiasm and dedication to the EGCA project and portrays itself as committed Europeans will live in to sustainable urban development and keen to act as a role model.” urban areas by 2050
Towards environmentally friendly urban living
The European Green Capital Award grew out of an initiative launched jointly in May 2006 by 15 European cities and the Association of Estonian cities. The brainchild of Jüri Ratas, then Mayor of Tallinn, Estonia, and currently Vice-President of the Estonian Parliament, the Tallinn Memorandum called on the European Commission to establish a special scheme to reward cities that are leading the way towards healthier and more sustainable ways of living.
Vitoria-Gasteiz is a compact city and from its medieval quarter you can see much of the surrounding Green Belt. 10 VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012
The award goes to a city that: Green cities – fi t for life ❙ Has a consistent record of achieving high With three out of four Europeans already living in towns or environmental standards cities, the European Commission launched the European ❙ Is committed to ongoing and ambitious Green Capital Award to promote good practice in sustainable goals for further environmental management through the example of groundbreaking role improvement and sustainable models. The overarching message is that Europeans have a right development to live in healthy urban areas, and cities should therefore ensure that environmental protection, economic growth and quality ❙ Acts as a role model to inspire other of life are developed in harmony. Hence, the award’s slogan: European cities ‘Green cities – fi t for life’.
The honours list
Since 2010, one European city has been selected each year as the European Green Capital. A total of 52 cities from across Europe have already taken up the challenge of competing for the title. Of these, 14 have been selected as fi nalists and four have been awarded the European Green Capital title for 2010, 2011,
Deer in the Salburua Wetlands, less than 3 km from the city centre. VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 11
Plaza del Machete, a public space that links the old town to the 19th century expansion.
Winners of the award are expected to share their experience
2012 and 2013. A further selection round is currently under way. The city of Stockholm was the fi rst to receive the award in 2010, followed by Hamburg in 2011. Vitoria-Gasteiz, European Green Capital 2012, will be followed by Nantes in 2013.
The green city challenge
Urban areas are a microcosm of many of the environmental challenges facing our society, but they also bring together the commitment and capacity for innovation that make it possible to meet them. With more and more of us living in an urban environment, improving living and working conditions in cities is an issue that directly aff ects large numbers of people. 12 VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012
Finalists for 2010 and 2011 A process of selection ❙ Amsterdam The 2012 competition was open to cities of over 200 000 ❙ Bristol inhabitants from any of the EU Member States, candidate ❙ Copenhagen countries (Turkey, Macedonia, Croatia, Iceland) and European ❙ Freiburg Economic Area countries. Countries with cities of less than ❙ Hamburg 200 000 inhabitants may nominate their largest one. This applied, ❙ Münster for example, to Reykjavík (Iceland). ❙ Oslo ❙ Stockholm All applications are reviewed by a panel of international experts in diff erent environmental fi elds, who base their judgement on 11 environmental indicators covering: Finalists for 2012 and 2013 ❙ Barcelona ❙ Local contribution to global climate change ❙ Malmö ❙ Local transport ❙ Nantes ❙ Nuremberg ❙ Green urban areas ❙ Reykjavík ❙ Sustainable land use ❙ Vitoria-Gasteiz ❙ Nature and biodiversity
❙ Quality of local ambient air
❙ Noise pollution
❙ Waste production and management
❙ Water consumption
❙ Waste water treatment
❙ Environmental management of the municipality VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 13
The 2012-2013 selection round added a new ‘Nature and biodiversity’ indicator, to underline the wider-reaching environmental benefi ts of green cities. Winners of the award must also put forward a dynamic communications programme designed to share and promote their experience.
Winners and fi nalists of the European Green Capital Award set the standard for green urban living
The Forest of Armentia, in the Green Belt, is a green corridor between the city and the mountains of Vitoria.
VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 15
Vitoria-Gasteiz at a glance
The medieval city of Vitoria-Gasteiz dates back to 1181. It is the capital of the historical territory of Alava, and home to 76% of its population and most of its industries and services.
A medium-sized city Facts and fi gures – Vitoria-Gasteiz municipality Vitoria-Gasteiz is a medium-sized city: the municipality comprises the urban area, with a population of 235 445, plus 64 small, rural ❙ Capital city of the Basque Country and of hamlets in the surrounding countryside. the province of Alava
From a town of just 50 000 people in 1950, the population of ❙ Founded in 1181 Vitoria-Gasteiz surged during the 1960s, as job opportunities in ❙ Population: 240 580 the strong mechanical and metallurgy industries attracted more and more people from all over Spain. Careful urban planning has, ❙ Area: 276.8 km² however, limited the environmental impact of this rapid growth. ❙ Population density: 864 hab/km2 Population density is much lower outside the city’s residential ❙ First provincial capital in Spain to adopt area, guaranteeing the survival of a natural, rural environment the Local Agenda 21 in 1998 with limited human interference. ❙ Rapid population growth and urban As a medium-sized city, it has so far avoided the problems development since the 1960s associated with large urban areas, such as high levels of pollution, traffi c congestion, long commuting distances, and pockets of poverty and social exclusion.
The hills surrounding Vitoria host a rich biodiversity. 16 VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012
Green facts and fi gures A city that relates to its environment
❙ All residents have access to public open The municipality consists of three concentric circles. The city and green space within 300 m itself, at the heart, is surrounded by a large area of agricultural land and natural vegetation, with the mountains and forests ❙ 613 hectares of Green Belt forming the third ring. ❙ 479 m2 of forest per capita Because Vitoria-Gasteiz is at the crossroads of two biological (covering one-third of the municipal area) climates – the Atlantic to the north and the Mediterranean to the ❙ 210 organic farming plots south – a huge diversity of ecological environments coexist close to the city. Citizens have access to a range of natural habitats, ❙ 130 000 trees in city streets from meadows and wetlands to beech forests and mountains. ❙ Two tram lines and 90 km of bicycle lanes Humanity has shaped the natural environment for millennia, ❙ Half of all journeys are made on foot yet a conscious eff ort to protect the biodiversity of the area means that many fragile ecosystems have been preserved. As ❙ 1st Environmental Action Plan adopted a result, Vitoria-Gasteiz has a rich selection of fl ora and fauna. in 2002 A third of Spain’s endangered vertebrate species are found in the municipality. And while the area covers just 4% of the total Basque region, it is home to 40% of its vascular plants and 75% of terrestrial vertebrates. Four municipal areas are part of the Natura 2000 network, including the Zadorra River and the Salburua Wetlands.
Vitoria-Gasteiz has a rich selection of fl ora and fauna VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 17
A city that’s green inside and green outside Vitoria-Gasteiz municipality has 11 331 hectares of forest, most of it publicly The city has a high proportion of green public areas, so the entire owned. Native species, especially beech and population lives within 300 m of an open green space. Public oak, make up 91% of the trees. gardens cover 1 091 hectares, making up 32.67% of the urban Two of these wooded areas are included in area. A Green Belt of fi ve large suburban parks with recreational the Natura 2000 network: the eastern part areas surrounds the centre, linked by a network of 33 km of of the Vitoria Mountains and the small oak pedestrian pathways and 90 km of cycle routes, eff ectively forests on the La Llanada plains. bringing nature into the urban heart. With 45 m2 of open space per person, Vitoria-Gasteiz is one of the greenest cities in Spain. The awareness-raising campaign entitled Verde por fuera-Verde por dentro (Green Many of the hundreds of green spaces in Vitoria-Gasteiz take the outside – Green inside) generated a strong form of smallish urban gardens, open 24 hours a day. Together sense of civic pride and ownership and they form a biodiversity resource sustaining some 50 000 trees of helped foster the city’s ‘green conscience’. 381 diff erent species, and 12 160 shrubs. The European Green Capital Award panel gave credit to the key role of citizens in promoting change.
The Salburua Wetlands, restored in the late 20th century, have become a Ramsar site of International Importance and part of the European Natura 2000 network. 18 VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012
Renovation of the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, the real heart of the city, has made it a paradise for pedestrians.
The semi-natural Green Belt has been ‘work in progress’ since the early 1990s, with signifi cant Cars account for eff ort and investment in reclaiming degraded areas such as gravel pits and drained wetlands.
only 28.3% of In 2000, the United Nations chose the Green travel in the city Belt as one of the 100 best projects worldwide at its Third International Competition of Best Practices for Improving the Environment. VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 19
A compact and diverse city
A long tradition of careful urban planning has made Vitoria-Gasteiz a compact and well- organised city.
Despite a continuing population increase of over 7% since 2000, and expansion of the urban territory, planners have largely built up rather than out, successfully limiting sprawl in the environmentally sensitive areas to the south of the city. Some 81% of the population live within 1 500 m of the city centre, and 95% have access to basic services such as education, health and cultural facilities within 500 m. Everything is within easy reach.
As a result, cars account for only 28.3% of travel in the city, as most people walk or use public transport. A free bicycle-lending service has been introduced, together with a modernised transport system including tramways and more effi cient bus lines. Vitoria-Gasteiz is a diverse city, where businesses, housing and leisure facilities coexist side by side.
An industrial city A shopping street in the Traditionally an industrial city, Vitoria- heart of the Gasteiz grew prosperous on the aeronautics, medieval energy and machine tool industries, quarter. while more recently, services and new technologies play a greater role. Companies occupy more than 9.5 million m2 of the municipality, and the Jundiz business park is one of the largest corporate estates in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. 20 VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012
Vitoria-Gasteiz has successfully involved the business sector in the drive towards a sustainable environment. Several multinational car companies have moved in and are developing electric vehicles – the fi rst electric van on the market is being built in the city. It is also a major innovation centre, attracting a wide range of companies to its technology park and research centres. Some of them focus on green innovation, including CIC Energigune, dedicated to alternative energy research.
Vitoria-Gasteiz has successfully involved the business sector in the drive towards a sustainable environment
An ambitious rehabilitation process is restoring the old city for citizens. VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 21
A cohesive city, a social city ❙ Highest proportion of public housing in Spain People enjoy a good quality of life and well-being, with high life expectancy. According to the latest surveys, they are generally ❙ 24% of the population has a university satisfi ed with their city and with the opportunities it off ers. qualifi cation
Citizens have access to an extensive range of services including ❙ The city allocates around 1% of its budget cultural, sports and educational activities. Community centres to international development cooperation also provide the public with information and social care. The ❙ Renovation of the medieval city is known for its welfare and social integration services, with town is revitalising the area and targeted support for children, young and older people, women, preventing depopulation and the gay and lesbian community.
A city of committed citizens
The support of residents is a key element in keeping Vitoria- Gasteiz green. People have developed a high level of awareness about the environment and there are numerous participation initiatives. Citizens’ voices reach the city council through the various bodies established in the Organic Regulations for Citizen Participation.
The Environment Sector Council, set up in 2000, is the main discussion forum on the conservation and protection of the natural and urban environment. Today, almost 40 groups (neighbourhood associations, environmental groups, unions, universities and institutions) take part.
VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 23
Why is Vitoria-Gasteiz special?
Vitoria-Gasteiz is one of Europe’s greenest cities, in more than one sense. It has over 10 million m2 of parks and green spaces, and its fl agship Green Belt project has attracted international recognition. Its green credentials are all the more remarkable in a city that has experienced major population growth over recent decades.
The city where green is capital
Rigorous strategic urban planning, strong citizen involvement, and the balanced management of the Vitoria-Gasteiz is environment have enabled the city to harmonise with green at its heart the natural landscape, forging its cultural identity and making it a model for urban sustainability.
However, Vitoria-Gasteiz is not just green on the outside, it is also green at heart, combining a high level of leadership and consensus among political parties on sustainable development, a strong environmental movement, and the full support of citizens.
With its award-winning urban design, green space and lively social and cultural life, coupled with fi rst-class services, it is an ideal role model for the average, medium-sized city in which 84% of Europeans live.
The Molinuevo park is located a few metres away from the medieval town 24 VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012
El Paseo de Taking care of the landscape and la Senda, the heritage connecting the centre with the Throughout history, the city has evolved in Green Belt, was harmony with its green forests and fi elds, and the fi rst urban path designed its blue rivers and lakes. Since time immemorial, for walkers and the woods of Alava belonged to the public, cyclists. with ancient rules governing the use of natural resources such as water and pasturage. More recently, Vitoria-Gasteiz’s network of gardens, walkways and Green Belt parks and the forthcoming declaration of the Vitoria Mountains as a natural park have become the city’s signature.
The city that thinks about citizens
Vitoria-Gasteiz builds on the experience of over three decades of environmental planning. The Environmental Sector Council is now the key mouthpiece for local associations, groups and institutions.
The Action Plan for 2012 places citizens at the heart of the strategy. Involving all sorts of civic organisations (schools, community and professional associations, etc.), citizens and
The experience of over three decades of environmental planning VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 25
industry in the city’s environmental projects has raised awareness Building together and led to a high level of public commitment to sustainability. In Vitoria-Gasteiz, respect for the The aim is to foster a sense of ‘belonging’ in a green community. environment crosses party lines, It is also a socially sustainable city, where the welfare of citizens while the early emergence of a vocal green and their quality of life are considered key issues, including movement encouraged the city to take a local services, education, training and cultural facilities, lead in sustainable development. Over equal opportunities, the right to employment and housing, the last 15 years, it has won a succession social integration and poverty-prevention, and public health. of awards. The European Green Capital A commitment to local employment means that 80% of the Award 2012 is the culmination of these Vitorian labour force work in the municipality. achievements.
Mechanical ramps have improved access to the medieval quarter.
VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 27
A green urban system
Making Vitoria-Gasteiz an exemplary green capital means taking account of and bringing together every aspect of environmental protection and sustainable living. The city is determined to reduce its ecological footprint to a minimum.
Better mobility, better public space In the near future, the city is implementing at least 10 new municipal projects for green The Sustainable Mobility and Public Space Plan aims to reverse development. Some are already in progress. the upward trend in private car use and improve other means of They include: transport such as bus and tram networks, bicycles and space for ❙ Ecological agricultural park pedestrians. In 2008, the city introduced a new tramline, followed a year later by revised bus routes, coupled with new parking ❙ Recovery of waste fuel regulations. As a result, journeys by public transport rocketed by ❙ Restoration of the medieval district 45%. All the vehicles are accessible to people with disabilities. ❙ Zero land-growth town development plan With four out of fi ve residents employed within municipal boundaries, walking is the most popular way of getting around. ❙ Mobilising solar energy potential The latest mobility survey revealed that nearly 50% of all journeys are on foot. As much as 25% of the city is reserved for pedestrians, with 33 km of pathways within the city and 91 km across the Green Belt.
As well as its pedestrian network, Vitoria-Gasteiz is actively promoting cycling, planning to invest Public transport use €22 million in its Bicycle Master Plan. A public bike system was created in 2006 with a network of pick-up has risen by 45%
The new tramway helped to boost public transport use by 45%. 28 VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012
Some benefi ts of the Green Belt and drop-off points across the city. By 2011, there were 17 pick- up points off ering 350 bicycles free of charge. The service has ❙ Protection and improvement of also taken into account the needs of people with disabilities biodiversity and landscapes by providing, for example, tandems for the sight impaired or ❙ Less pollution tricycles for people with reduced mobility.
❙ Regulation of fl oods and fewer fl ooding The roll-out of electric vehicles is key to the city’s strategy, episodes supported by technological innovation, tax incentives and communication campaigns. Since 2008, the city council has ❙ Conservation and rational use of natural participated in the European Civitas MODERN project, which resources funds sustainable mobility demonstration projects. With a ❙ Improved environmental awareness and €2.3 million budget, Vitoria-Gasteiz plans to develop a pilot respect scheme with four electric vehicles available on a car-sharing basis, and a control group of citizens who will evaluate the ❙ Greater citizen involvement, responsibility vehicles, the recharging points and management of the car- and well-being sharing scheme itself. ❙ Employment opportunities
❙ Tourism A green and blue belt
❙ High-quality urban development The Green Belt is a semi-natural green space partially recovered from degraded areas, such as gravel pits, burnt ground and drained wetlands. Their restoration, which started in the mid 1990s, continues today.
The best way to minimise the city’s impact on water resources and the environment is to copy natural cycles VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 29
Observation of waterfowl in Salburua, one of the Green Belt parks.
When completed, the Green Belt will be the natural lung of the future Vitoria-Gasteiz, linking city and countryside. This ring is formed by the parks: Salburua, Zabalgana, Armentia, Olarizu and Río Zadorra. More areas need to be integrated, connecting the belt directly to the surrounding mountains and forests.
Today, the Green Belt is a great ecological and scenic resource, and two of its suburban areas have been recognised for their signifi cant natural value. One is the Salburua Wetlands, declared an EU Site of Community Importance (SCI) and a Ramsar site of International Importance. The other is the Zadorra River, an SCI that forms part of the European Natura 2000 network.
The 2008-2009 Inbios project funded a range of actions to protect the wetlands, and safeguard threatened species such as bats, sand martins and kingfi shers, waders, herons and otters. 30 VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012
Closing cycles
The best way to minimise the city’s impact on the environment is to copy natural cycles and processes, creating an integrated, green urban metabolism. Vitoria-Gasteiz has been exploring ambitious strategies aimed, for example, at cutting waste to a minimum.
Recycling of sludge from the Crispijana waste-treatment plant will minimise the volume of material deposited in the Gardélegui landfi ll, as will channelling waste materials into energy-recovery systems or landscape restoration. Waste-management programmes have already achieved higher recycling levels than in most Spanish cities.
Vitoria-Gasteiz is making major progress in urban water management and reducing consumption, mainly through controlling leaks and technological improvements, as well as boosting public awareness. Between 2001 and 2009, water consumption per capita fell by 20%. The city has also improved the quality of the urban waste water discharged into the Zadorra River after treatment at the Crispijana facility.
Storks are regular inhabitants of Vitoria’s bell towers. VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 31
Environmental More than 12 000 education is one of the pillars of schoolchildren have Vitoria-Gasteiz’ green strategy. joined the ‘Adopt a tree and grow with it’ campaign
A heart that beats once more
Restoring the city’s medieval quarters means not only preserving Vitoria-Gasteiz’s architectural heritage, but also improving the quality of life for residents in an area that was beginning to look run-down. The Special Interior Reform Plan (PERI) set out 11 strategies for action, including making use of empty buildings and improving communications.
At the heart of the restoration programme, the 800-year-old Cathedral of Santa Maria is a symbol of Vitoria-Gasteiz. In 2002, work to return the building to its former glory won Europe’s highest prize for cultural heritage conservation, the Europa Nostra Award.
A network for proximity
Vitoria-Gasteiz’ network of civic centres attracted half a million visits in 2010, off ering information, advice, training, leisure and sports facilities. Civic centres are found in local neighbourhoods across the city, and their mission is to bring citizens together and provide essential services to improve their quality of life. 32 VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012
The kingfi sher, An effi cient ecosystem one of the bird species found in The city has made real progress in recovering the Green Belt. biodiversity, restoring many of the city’s damaged ecological and landscape areas through the Green Belt project, the creation of the Bosques de Europa Botanical Gardens, and the opening of the Ecological Gardens for citizens. Since 1996, more than 12 000 schoolchildren and hundreds of adults have joined the ‘Adopt a tree and grow with it’ campaign, planting over 40 000 trees and bushes.
These advances have also helped to remedy other problems that plagued Vitoria-Gasteiz, such as the proliferation of illegal huts and vegetable gardens or the risk of fl ooding from the industrial estates to the north and south of the city. Instead, residents are now encouraged to take part in the organic gardening and community gardens initiatives, or in cultivating plots in the Urarte and Olarizu vegetable gardens within the Green Belt.
A plan for energy
Vitoria-Gasteiz is reducing its energy consumption by rationalising energy use and using more eco- effi cient technologies such as district heating and micro-cogeneration, as well as greater energy effi ciency in new and restored buildings. At the same time, it is promoting renewable energy sources such as solar power, geothermal systems, wind farms and biogas from urban waste. The city’s Local Energy Plan has a budget of €76 million to promote sustainable energy use. VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 33
Aiming for carbon neutral
Cutting greenhouse gas emissions is another vital contribution to reducing the city’s ecological footprint. More than half of Europe’s emissions come from cities, so local authorities have an important role in combating climate change. Two-thirds of emissions in Vitoria-Gasteiz come from energy consumption by industry and transport. The city council adopted a Climate Change Prevention Strategy in 2006, and agreed to cut emissions by 16% by 2012. In 2009, it signed up to the Covenant of Mayors and, in 2010, approved the Plan against Climate Change, promising more ambitious reductions.
The city’s long-term aim is to become a carbon-neutral zone, with an interim goal of cutting emissions by half by 2050, through wide-ranging actions in diff erent sectors and public education.
The main street in the heart of the city is an example of sustainable design in the 19th century. The Zadorra River, a tributary of the Ebro, has one of the richest ecosystems in the city.
VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 37
The educational city
Education is one of the cornerstones in building an eco-effi cient city. Vitoria-Gasteiz wants citizens to be well informed on environmental issues and able to play an active part in improving their city.
Learning respect
The city council has, for over a decade, been implementing an annual programme of education and awareness-raising activities for sustainable development. They reach out to the entire population, not just children, aiming to encourage action and prepare citizens to change their behaviour.
The programme, launched in 1995, has been linked to the Local Agenda 21 process since 1998. It includes awareness-raising campaigns, training activities and public information centres, and education in schools. There are now over 100 initiatives annually. The result has been sustained improvement in several areas requiring citizens’ co-operation, such as waste recycling and saving water.
Green Belt in environmental education
The Green Belt has been the focus of numerous educational and awareness-raising initiatives. Over 88 000 people took part in activities organised in and around the diff erent parks and green areas. A website and Facebook page give residents and tourists alike a central point of access to all information, including educational programmes.
The Ecological Horticulture Programme provides practical training in horticulture and organic gardening, for 18-55 year olds, which can lead to the concession of a 50 m2 allotment in the Urarte and Olarizu botanical gardens. Over 5 000 residents participated in activities in 2008-2009, including workshops on organic gardening, potted plants, basketry, natural preserves, native fl ora bee-keeping, fruit growing, and pruning and grafting.
The restoration of the city’s Gothic cathedral has won several international awards. 38 VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012
Vitoria-Gasteiz Wetlands teach the importance has over of biodiversity 200 organic vegetable In July 2009, the city authorities opened the Ataria gardens in its Interpretation Centre in the Salburua Wetlands, which Green Belt. provides a recreational and educational focus point. The centre aims to increase environmental awareness among visitors and appreciation of the park’s exceptional ecological importance. Activities range from seminars, conferences, workshops and temporary exhibitions, to the loan of bicycles, binoculars, guided walks and privileged viewing of closed-off sections of the park, thanks to remote cameras.
Agenda 21 for Schools
The signing of the Ålborg Charter in 1995 and of the Local Agenda 21 in 1998 led to the implementation of the Local Agenda 21 for Schools: an essential tool in building awareness among future generations. Courses aimed at primary and secondary schools and vocational training students help them to analyse and understand environmental questions, and prepare them to act responsibly for a fairer and more sustainable society.
The fi rst courses were introduced in 2001-2002. Since then, this initiative has expanded from three schools with Increasing public awareness 1 600 students in 2003, to 29 schools and nearly 20 000 students in 2010 helps prepare citizens to – and is expected to reach 100% participation by 2012. change their behaviour VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 39
Vitoria-Gasteiz Education and Education in schools is an Awareness-Raising Programme essential tool in building the for Sustainable Development ❙ Awareness campaigns on specifi c issues environmental awareness (waste, water, mobility) of future generations ❙ Activities related to signifi cant events: World Water Day, World Wetlands Day, World Biodiversity Day, World Training for green jobs Day of Birds, World Environment Day, European Mobility Week, etc. The Environmental Studies Centre was set up at the end of the ❙ Launch of the Ataria Wetlands 1980s with the initial task of providing postgraduate training Interpretation Centre in Salburua for ‘environmental technicians’. Gradually, a wider range of courses was introduced in more specialised training areas ❙ Exhibitions, contests and competitions such as geographic information systems, remote sensing, ❙ Environmental fi lms environmental services to companies, and assessment and correction of environmental impact. As it has developed, the ❙ Classroom for urban ecology (monthly centre has formed close relationships with universities and programme of lectures and conferences) research organisations and has started designing courses for ❙ Organic gardening workshops in the people with lower-level qualifi cations, and refresher courses Olarizu and Urarte gardens for the administration and private fi rms. Its aim is to promote (for young and old) environmental education, training and research whilst, at the same time, providing practical and theoretical knowledge for ❙ Regular contributions to the media the green jobs of the future. ❙ A wide range of paper and digital publications
❙ Development of a dedicated and regularly updated web page
VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 41
What impressed the experts
The panel of experts who evaluated the European Green Capital Award applications was particularly impressed by Vitoria-Gasteiz’ outstanding performance on fi ve of the indicators – climate change, transport, air quality, noise pollution and its dissemination programme.
The climate-change battle
Vitoria-Gasteiz has built a strong political consensus in support of a long-term, coherent set of policies and actions at local level. The panel noted several innovative actions aimed at tackling climate change including, for example, the installation of a power generator using the fl ow of effl uent water from the sewage-treatment plant, and the reuse of treated water for non-drinking purposes.
Local transport
The city won approval for its Sustainable Mobility Plan and active measures to promote eco-friendly modes of transport, The city shows much including improvements to the public transport system, the proposed extension of enthusiasm and dedication the city’s ‘Superblock’ with its very low speed zones (10 km/h), and better management of to the EGCA project freight distribution.
The Florida Park (1820) is the fl agship green area of the city. 42 VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012
A breath of fresh air
Clean air is essential for a healthy environment. Vitoria-Gasteiz adopted an Air Quality Management Plan in 2003, and the installation of monitoring systems and an emissions database has made it possible to chart progress and record the impact of measures to control and improve air quality. Today, air-pollution indicators are already below target and are continuing to fall, reaching 284 days of good air quality each year.
Noise pollution
The city has taken steps to cut noise pollution over the past decade as part of its Noise Management Plan, setting up a noise-monitoring network in 17 places in 2008. As a result, residents enjoy relatively low levels of exposure to noise.
A green urban environment
Partly through development of the Green Belt, the amount of green space has doubled since 1974 and is now distributed more evenly across the city. In addition, the extensive network of pedestrian and cycle paths ensures that all areas are well connected and helps ‘bring nature into the city’. VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 43
Water consumption
It is the only inland city to have won the prize so far, bringing additional challenges in water supply and management. Vitoria-Gasteiz is successfully coping with water scarcity and has steadily decreased its water consumption over the last decade. On the other hand, the city has to deal with overloaded sanitation systems during heavy rains. It has invested in improving water supply and quality, reducing losses, and has set up a citizens’ water information offi ce.
Enthusiasm and dedication
Vitoria-Gasteiz’ communications programme, with its appealing slogan Verde por fuera - Verde por dentro, off ers an impressive range of activities, events, actions and networking opportunities throughout the year and demonstrates the city’s strong motivation to share ideas and spread best practice. It includes a number of original ideas, such as the Ekolabora volunteer programme, and an EU-wide schools competition.
Woods and fi elds surround Vitoria-Gasteiz, the largest municipality in the Basque Country.
VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 45
Vitoria-Gasteiz: a model for Europe
The winner of the European Green Capital Award should serve as an example and inspiration for other cities.
Throughout 2012, Vitoria-Gasteiz is opening its doors to showcase and share its environmental policies, projects and challenges with the rest of Europe. The city has prepared an ambitious programme of activities, off ering a platform for the exchange of good practices and for disseminating green ideas.
Involving society The VGGC 2012 programme The programme sets out to involve the maximum number is divided into four themes: of people in making 2012 a decisive year for environmental 1. Involving society progress. 2. Showcasing the city and its initiatives Ekolabora is a volunteer programme that will draw people into local initiatives with a view to sustaining this commitment long 3. Re fl ecting on the city: space and after the Green Capital title passes to the next winner in 2013. opportunities
4. Disseminating the Green Capital idea and its values The battle for sustainability will be won or lost in cities Maurice Strong, Secretary-General of the UN Stockholm ’72 and Rio ’92 summits
Vitoria-Gasteiz, seen from the hill in the medieval quarter, is compact. 46 VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012
Community Green cities initiatives have come from many gardens, a sign organisations and civic bodies. The city council of citizens’ involvement. has approved a range of aid and subsidy packages to support the most interesting projects.
The Green Pact is an agreement between institutions, companies and associations, pledging to promote good environmental practices. It is about creating a partnership between businesses, public administrations and civil society. Partners undertake to identify how their activities impact on the city’s environment, and sign up to improve their performance.
Sustainable city events: with major cultural and other festivals throughout the year, organisers will be urged to ensure events are outwardly and inwardly sustainable.
Showcasing the city and its initiatives
A permanent exhibition will present the city’s environmental record over recent years and the major plans and projects that have earned it the Green Capital Award, as well as future plans beyond 2012. There will also be space to demonstrate environmental initiatives by groups of citizens. It will be a dynamic and interactive exhibition promoting visitors’ participation.
Green Factories: a programme of one-day guided tours will enable people to explore the ‘green heart’ of the city, visiting the places where daily environmental processes are handled. These include waste treatment, water treatment and sewage plants, the Miñano Technology Park, the Ataria Wetlands Interpretation Centre, and the University of the Basque Country. VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 47
Ecotourism: Vitoria-Gasteiz will develop a plan of action to make it even more attractive as a destination for eco-tourists. A nature and cultural heritage programme will harness natural assets to create an outstanding sustainable tourism location.
Refl ecting on the city: space and opportunities
The fi fth CONAMA local meeting (National Environmental Congress) took place in Vitoria-Gasteiz in December 2011, to celebrate the city being selected as European Green Capital 2012. It was a forum for debate on the quest for urban sustainability.
Several thematic weeks, including Energy Week, Green Week, Mobility Week and the Land and Landscape Week, will off er a range of activities including practical sessions, demonstrations, and training, open to the whole population. In addition, public spaces will host events on the theme of ‘recovering the city for citizens’, displaying the potential of streets, squares and parks as venues for exchanging information in an environmentally friendly manner.
The city’s university is in one of the most characteristic green zones. 48 VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012
Ataria is the Green Belt Interpretation Centre, close to the Salburua Wetlands.
The United Nations invited VGGC 2012 has called on all schools in Europe to join the Vitoria-Gasteiz’ leaders to go to New European Agenda 21 for Schools, creating a Europe-wide York to take part in preparations for network of educational centres. An online forum will develop the Rio+20 Environmental Summit. a project on responsible eating and consumption, in Spanish, The city will use its title as European Green Basque, English, French and German, and students will present Capital to promote its green credentials on the results to the city’s mayor. By October 2011, 44 schools had the international stage. registered to take part, including fi ve from France, four from Germany, three from Romania and one from the UK.
As well as a number of technical seminars, Vitoria-Gasteiz will host the annual Civitas Forum in 2012, an EU initiative to promote ambitious projects for sustainable, clean and economical urban transport. VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 49
Disseminating the Green Capital idea and its values
Vitoria-Gasteiz’s Green Capital Award has already gained coverage by over 30 media organisations, in Spain and abroad. Communication throughout 2012 will focus on opening the city to people from all over Europe, and winning support for and investment in the Green Capital ideals. Top events include:
❙ VG2012 Opening – to launch the European Green Capital in the year of the Rio+20 Summit
❙ European Green Capitals 2014 event – designating the future award-holders
❙ Green Cycle Tour – 10 people will visit 25 European cities in July 2012, including Stockholm, Hamburg and Nantes: Green Capitals in 2010, 2011 and 2013
❙ Green Night 2012 – live music, exhibitions, plays, slow food… and much more to celebrate around the city centre
❙ Closing Event – to thank all those involved and sum up achievements throughout 2012.
Environmental awareness activities are common in the city, including European Mobility Week.
VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 51
Vitoria-Gasteiz – beyond the Green Capital
Gaining the award does not mean the end of a process for Vitoria- Gasteiz – not even a halt on the road towards sustainability. In fact, the green city of the future requires profound changes in traditional urban-management models and policies, and in lifestyles and patterns of behaviour.
More biocapacity, more biodiversity
The defi nitive completion of the Green Belt is the most urgent task at hand, guaranteeing connectivity for both people and wildlife. The belt will be transformed from a collection of green areas into a great urban infrastructure.
Connecting it with the mountains surrounding the city will provide Vitoria-Gasteiz with a new ecological dimension, linking the city with the natural spaces known as the Highland Belt, and making it part of the great pan-European ecological corridor that runs from the Galician mountains to the Alps.
Increasing biodiversity and biocapacity within the city is an even more challenging task, reducing the urban ecological footprint and ensuring the continuity of natural cycles. The Interior Green Belt project will create an urban corridor that is sustainable from the viewpoint of power, building, and vegetation. The eco-redesign of Gasteiz Avenue and the Europa Convention Centre will be the centre point of this development.
The Salburua Wetlands – home to endangered species such as European mink – seen from the air. 52 VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012
VGGC 2012: plans and projects In rural areas, where agriculture is still a major activity, the aim is to protect agricultural land from urban development, promote ❙ Plan for protection and restoration of good practices, involve young farmers and encourage farming as sensitive natural resources a strategic sector and a key factor in preserving the land. ❙ Flood prevention plan
❙ Plan for improving biocapacity, More city in the city biodiversity and urban landscape Urban growth must respond to real social needs and respect ❙ Mobility and public space plan environmental conditions. Curbing the consumption of materials and preventing the development of more and more land means ❙ Strategic waste plan new construction techniques and the smart reuse of buildings ❙ Urban pollution reduction plan and public spaces. The idea is to move towards a ‘closed cycle’ urban metabolism, reducing both the environmental impact and ❙ Plan to combat climate change building costs. ❙ Plan to improve water cycle
❙ Plan to promote a sustainability culture Promoting renewable ❙ Plan for urban restoration and land energy is one improvement of the city’s challenges in the coming years. VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 53
The new Sustainable Mobility Plan has reduced car use in town.
The Green Belt will be transformed into a great urban infrastructure
The Betoño Urban Business Park project, for example, will transform degraded and obsolete spaces into new, mixed urban areas. The General Urban Development Plan is crucial to the life of the city, treating land as an irreplaceable resource and respecting and protecting the peripheral network of fi elds and forests.
Smart mobility
Vitoria-Gasteiz should be an accessible and friendly city for citizens and visitors alike. This means careful traffi c planning within neighbourhoods, public streets that incorporate biodiversity as a structural element, and more public and non-motorised transport. 54 VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012
The Mobility Plan is gradually reducing private car travel and aims to replace cars with electric and hybrid vehicles, with a network of electric recharging points, and car-sharing initiatives to be introduced in 2012. The Bicycle Mobility Master Plan proposes to create a further 60 km of tracks and to extend the free bike network.
Water and energy effi ciency
Signifi cant challenges remain with regard to reducing consumption and improving the quality of discharged water. Two key aspects are the gradual separation and return to the natural environment of clean water that currently runs into sewers, and the reuse of dirty water, especially for irrigation and cleaning public spaces.
On energy, the priorities are saving power in new buildings and restoration projects, the urban generation of renewable energy from infrastructure and buildings, and reducing consumption by rationalising energy use and implementing more eco-effi cient technologies such as district heating.
The new city has grown, respecting and accommodating the natural environment. VITORIAGASTEIZ | European Green Capital 2012 55
Stimulating the green economy New governance for With the current economic crisis and struggle against high unemployment sustainability must seek in Spain, the opportunities arising within the Green Capital framework the commitment of cities are enormous. Vitoria-Gasteiz can be a breeding ground for green jobs, either linked to technology and innovation, or through programmes to improve the natural environment and for the recovery of biodiversity through Rural Employment Landscape Plans, to be launched in 2012.
And do not forget the substantial employment opportunities that may arise from one of the city’s future hallmarks: sustainable restoration, which involves improving the energy consumption of buildings, more effi cient water management, and more accessible public space.
New governance
None of this will come about without good governance, which underpins the sustainable development model. Indeed, current consumption models are often the cause of many economic, social and environmental problems.
This new governance needs commitment, and a sustained political consensus in favour of green policies. Vitoria-Gasteiz’ environmental advancement has transcended diff erences in political opinions and manifestos.
In future, it will step up coordination between the Environment Sector Council and the municipal departments and agencies, focusing on information, policy transparency, and communicating with citizens. Strong institutional leadership and co-operation between diff erent agents in the city will enable Vitoria-Gasteiz to move forward to ever greater sustainability. wwww.vitoria-gasteiz.org/ww.vitoria-gasteiz.org/ wwww.europeangreencapital.euww.europeangreencapital.eu European Commission Vitoria-Gasteiz — European Green Capital 2012 Luxembourg: Publications Offi ce of the European Union 2012 — 56 pp. — 21 x 21 cm ISBN 978-92-79-22139-2 doi:10.2779/86055
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ISBN 978-92-79-22139-2 To order the publication, which is available free of charge while stocks last: doi:10.2779/86055 For a single copy: via the EU Bookshop – the on-line access to European Union publications: © European Union, 2012 http:// bookshop.europa.eu Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. For several copies: Printed in Belgium via the nearest national Europe Direct information centre: http://europa.eu/europedirect/meet_us/index_en.htm PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER THAT HAS BEEN AWARDED THE EU ECO-LABEL FOR GRAPHIC PAPER (www.ecolabel.eu) KH-30-11-346-EN-C VITORIAGASTEIZ European Green Capital 2012