| Green belt and green area program in Vitoria-Gasteiz | |
| Brief Description | The objective of the Vitoria-Gasteiz 2012 program was developed to promote heathier and environmental sustainably lifestyles in relation to the environment and green spaces, offering a platform for exchange of good practices and disseminating ideas. The program aims also at involving citizens for these changes, provide a showcase of the city and its initiatives, and disseminating the Green Capital ideas and values. The main objectives are: – Action plan to make the city more attractive as a destination for ecotourism, including a nature and cultural heritage program to harness natural assets and create an outstanding sustainable tourism location. – Different initiatives to promote knowledge among citizens and changes in lifestyles including programs (such as guided tours) to enable people to explore the “green heart” of the city by visiting the places where daily environmental processes are handled: waste treatment, water treatment and sewage plants, the wetland interpretation center etc. – Associated initiatives include 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. – Annual program of education and awareness activities for sustainable development targeted to the whole population, all age groups, to promote a support a change in behaviors and lifestyles. Vitoria-Gasteiz is therefore the European city with one of the highest commitment to the environment at present. |
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| European Country/Countries | Spain |
| Field | Living/Green spaces: Improving availability, quality and use |
| Type | Intervention |
| Impact | Health, Equity, Environmental sustainability |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Target Group | General population |
| Evaluation | Yes |
| Level | Local |
| INHERIT Perspective | The practice will encourage people to adapt their lifestyles and behaviors in multiple ways, for example the city has a proportion of green public areas so that the entire population lives within 300m of an open green space, so that all population groups are encouraged to access these areas, regardless of their economic situation. There are programs promoting ecotourism, knowledge of the wetland ecosystem or enabling people to visit and learn about environmental processes such as waste treatment, water treatment and sewage plants, and related campaigns and program to establish recycling practices and access green areas through active mobility and recreational activities. |
| Detailed description PDF filename | Download file |
| Relevant links | http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/European-Green-Capital-Award-2012-13-nuevo-estandar.pdf |
| Contact | informacion@vitoria-gasteiz.org |