The intensification of the RHYTHMS OF LIFE and work with the continuous acceleration of humanity’s changes, contrasts with the natural slowness of biological evolution which tend not to be oriented towards the common good and sustainable human development.
An ecology that integrates the specific place that human beings occupy in this world and their relations with the world around them attempt to be implemented.
The human condition is closely linked to the CULTURE that shapes human coexistence. This human coexistence should seek sustainable and integral development.
Culture is something that is created, that is shaped through the VALUES of society and the creation of projects like this shape societies, create natural and human values, giving back man to nature and recreating connections that were once lost.
ART AND NATURE have always been related. The creation of mystical, appealing areas with plays of light and shadow allied to the different shades of vegetation inspires and nourishes the mental health of the population. The 17.000m2 woodland area lead us to an encounter with nature in its most natural purity. Here people can seek a little of their HUMAN FREEDOM. The project aims to preserve and strengthen the ecological and environmental components of the intervention area, valuing the relevant heritage, landscape and connective elements and simultaneously promoting leisure and recreational areas.
The integration of this park in a network of local green areas with new pedestrian paths and a cycling network anchored in the city’s eastern cycle route creates conditions of full accessibility for all, with a strong impact on the social, emotional and functional life of who lives there, contributing to SOCIAL CONNECTIVITY. The construction of a 13.000m2 green roof articulated with the green structure of the city, values the urban space in a logic of multifunctionality, reinforcing the sense of belonging.
This project aims to be SUSTAINABLE by improving building, public space and infrastructure energy efficiency and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and noise, through creation of a green lung over and by encouraging pedestrian and cycling circulation. It performs vital functions as an area of nature conservation and biodiversity in an urban context.
Given the complexity of the site, partly due to the PRE-EXISTENCING physical limits, partly due to the high intensification of transport with associated high pollutant loads, the construction of this park had to be adjusted to this reality.
The proposal bears in mind the need to CONSERVE WATER, maximize the use of rainwater and protect its quality. Using natural systems, a set of actions implemented have the capacity to store, filter and distribute/return water to the soil: pond + ecological infiltration basins.
A pond was built to receive and store rainwater which, when exceeds its maximum storage capacity will discharge into the infiltration basin. It has the function of slowly giving back the purified and filtered water into the groundwater, contributing to the hydrological balance of urban waters.
Vegetation is used as a means of DECONTAMINATION the air and soil. They act as an air filter, providing a mild microclimate to protect from strong winds, strong solar incidence, creating shadows and releases water through its pores, contributing to a better balance of atmospheric temperature. Around 1.100 trees were planted offering a huge urban forest.
ECO-SOCIAL SYSTEMS
Urban Forest_arboreal filter on the periphery of the streets and of extensive areas of groves of trees.
Multiage Park_mutual space for all generations to socialize, play, exercise and contemplate nature, essential for the creation of healthy and joyful communities in such a vibrant urban environment.
Urban meadow_floristic composition of meadow, creation of conviviality zones with large open spaces and wrapped by arboreal curtains directing views to points of interest in the city
Water garden_construction of naturalized retention basins, to increase the infiltration capacity of water into the soil
Roundabout_native species, ecological corridors
Embankments_native species, ecological corridors, contributing to greater structural stability of the embankments, mitigating the negative impacts of noise, visual and pollutants
Naturalized habitat_niche for nesting birds, creation of favorable habitats for animal species
An ECOLOGICAL SOCIAL PARK in a defrag zone now provides a recreational space for socializing and relaxing, helps to bring together elements of non-cohesive communities and provides areas of decompression within an urban fabric.
Because the project is rooted in issues of social ecology, biodiversity and the promotion of ecosystem services ensures that the result is this amazing diversity of biotopes, this huge green mantle, this enormous affluence of different people, this new landscape that stitches this degraded urban area.
Architecture offices involved in the design: nuno brandão costa arquitectos
Location: R. de Bonjóia 691 4300, 4300-084 Porto, Portugal
Design year: 2017
Year Completed: 2023
