This document summarizes Barcelona's 5 initiatives to promote biodiversity and conservation within the city. The initiatives include: [1] developing a green urban corridor connecting open spaces; [2] protecting cliffs in Montjuic park; [3] supporting urban bird populations near buildings; [4] disseminating information on biodiversity; and [5] international commitments to conservation. The city aims to protect open spaces through its Local Agenda 21 plan and increase urban green areas and public awareness of biodiversity issues in Barcelona.

1. Zagreb, 17th October 2007
Barcelona’s 5 LAB on-the-
ground initiatives
Margarita Parés & Helena Barracó
Barcelona City Council 1

2. Location of Barcelona
Barcelona is the capital of the
autonomous Region of Catalonia
2

3. Barcelona is a very dense
mediterranean city
Barcelona City Rain: 598 mm
Area: 98 km2 Temperature: 16,5ºC
1.605.602 inhabitants ⇒ 16.384 ih per km2 Green area: 18m2 per inhabitant
3

4. View from Collserola to the sea
4

5. Collserola from the city
5

6. Local Agenda 21 as framework
• The first Objective of the Local
Agenda 21 Commitment is:
“To protect open spaces and
biological diversity and
increase urban green space”
6

7. Biodiversity urban strategy:
knowledgement, dissemination and
flora & fauna management
• The strategy elaboration is a project included in
the 2008-2011 mandate, being part of the
Municipal Actions Programme (PAM), now being
set-up with a citizen’s participatory process. The
PAM will be approved by the Plenary Council.
• The strategy will have 4 main working lines:
– Management oriented knowledgment
– Support and conservation
of species & habitats
– Dissemination and participation
– International Commitment
and exchange 7

8. Barcelona’s 5 LAB on-the-ground
initiatives
1. Green urban corridor Ciutadella-
Collserola development
2. Montjuïc cliff protection
3. Support to the urban birds
related to buildings
4. Biodiversity dissemination
actions
5. Barcelona’s international
commitment in biodiversity
conservation
8

9. 1. Green urban corridor
Ciutadella-Collserola development
• Project within the green urban corridor network proposal
• Included in the PAM
2008-2011
A nella Inte rior C ollse rola - For um
Colls er ola - Montjuïc Collse rola - C iuta della
A ne lla Inte rior
Corr edor Litor al 9

10. 1. Green urban corridor
Ciutadella-Collserola development
• Several departments are involved in the project:
Zoo, Parks and Gardens, Urban Ecology Agency
• Biodiversity and social benefits are expected
10

11. 2. Montjuïc cliff protection
• Montjuïc is a 173 m hill in the Barcelona sea front
• The cliff protection is included in the project “Montjuïc
as the green lung of the city”
• Legal protection of the cliff in process, based on its
natural values in the urban context.
• Included in the PAM 2008-2011
11

12. 3. Support to the urban birds related
to buildings
• Previous experience: Swallow project that includes species
support, better knowledgment of the swallow population and
participation and comunication experience.
• Recorded a population of about 200 pairs of House Martins
(Delichon urbica), and 40 pairs of Common Swallow (Hirundo
rustica). The support of the species has been improved thanks
to the knowledge acquired.
12

13. 3. Support to the urban birds related
to buildings
• Fostering the protection of the birds related to the urban
buildings, specially those in rehabilitation.
– Working together with Urban Landscape Institute (building
refurbishment experts) and the Regional Government
– Training rehabilitation experts
– Technical support during rehabilitation
adressed to avifauna protection
– Finantial aid for commited owners
– Awareness-raising brochure
– Calendar adaption to seasonal changes
13

14. 4. Biodiversity dissemination
actions
• Dissemination
materials
14

15. 4. Biodiversity dissemination
actions
• Reinforce urban biodiversity in the Local
Agenda 21 website.
• Catalogue of sites of natural
interest in the city of Barcelona
+ ecologic map
• Peregrine falcon
• LAB Barcelona biodiversity report
15

16. 16

17. 5. Barcelona’s international
commitment in biodiversity
conservation
• Barcelona’s commitments towards
biodiversity conservation and
experiences exchange:
– Local Action for Biodiversity
– Countdown 2010
– Red de Gobiernos Locales
2010 España
– Barcelona UICN
Congress 5-14 oct.’07
17

18. Thank you for your attention!
www.bcn.cat/agenda21
hbarraco@bcn.cat mparesr@bcn.cat
18