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LIFE Vía de la Plata aims to build Green Infrastructures and improve Ecosystem Services, through the implementation of specific strategies, for example, integrating 6 key elements: heritage city, climate change adaptation, green infrastructure, ecosystem services, Big Data and citizen participation.

Also, it aims to monitor and control of the state of ecosystem services in the city with innovative technical indicators of intelligent data processing. In this last aspect we will actively participate as a research group specialized in new technologies.

Planned actions in Salamanca

• Plantings to improve urban connectivity.
• Installation of planters and green screens on balconies, walls and terraces.
• Creation of tree surrounds.
• Actions to promote the improvement of ecosystem services in urban gardens within the EDUSI TORMES+ project.
• Placement of nests for falcons and other small birds.
• Construction and installation of spaces and structures for the enhancement of auxiliary fauna such as dry walls for reptiles and amphibian shelter or bird nests.
• Making use of nature-based solutions to respond to various societal challenges such as climate change.
• Butterfly oases, naturalization of existing meadows and tree pits.
• Improving the permeability of compacted soils for vegetation enhancement.
• Spaces that improve permeability and the natural water cycle through the use of different techniques such as sustainable drainage systems (SUD's), rain gardens and permeable pavements.
• Transhumance management and maintenance of the cultural and ecological functionality of ravines.
• Enabling the use of the city's historic high ground for lookouts and green islets of the green corridor.
• Communication and dissemination.
• Citizen participation and volunteering activities.
• Organization of healthy walks and routes.
• Citizen science activities.

Citizen awareness-raising activities

Informative seminars

The Salamanca City Council organized a program of seminars aimed at raising awareness of the LIFE Vía de la Plata project through the Citizen Participation and Public Health departments. These meetings were aimed at neighborhood associations and health associations of the city, but they are open to the participation of all citizens.

These actions seek to promote the involvement and active role of citizens in the development of the LIFE Vía de la Plata and of the green infrastructure of Salamanca in general.

Information panels

Several information panels have been installed throughout the city which have been developed specifically to publicize the characteristics of each of the six areas of action: Corona de Secano in the northern area, urban expansion areas, urban heritage area, the connection with the Tormes River, the Zurguén watercourse and the scrubland area. At each of these points, signage has been installed with specific details of what the area will be like in the coming years, once the lines of the LIFE Vía de la Plata project have been developed..

Dissemination 

Presence and dissemination on the different platforms where the project is present, in addition to the quarterly newsletter with information on the progress of the project.

This is an excellent initiative aimed at building a more sustainable, healthier city, with new economic opportunities and greater resilience against the effects of climate change.

LIFE VIA DE LA PLATA (LIFE19 CCA/ES/001188)

The Project is co-financed by the European Commission’s LIFE Programme