- Building on the environment, biodiversity, water management and the needs of children, a collective project has been launched in the Atlantic Pyrenees to change the backyards of schools. In Pamplona there will also be more shadows and plants in three centers.
“Built as parking spaces, these spaces do not respond to children’s needs or climate problems,” says landscape designer Leire Arbelbide in the Souduest newspaper. The asphaltic earth warms up and releases toxic fumes, and instead, the project aims to permeate and level the soil of the educational centers' courtyards, improve water management and achieve more biospatial spaces to adapt to climate change. “Rethinking these spaces will also mean that boys and girls become aware of nature and can better develop their creativity and skills in these patios,” said Arbelbide.
In the Atlantic Pyrenees, the project will be led by the Council of Architecture, Urbanism and the Environment, will involve all the representatives of the educational community (teachers, fathers, mothers and city hall among others) and will involve ten towns of Bearn and Euskal Herria. In the Basque Country, Hazparne, Mugerre, Kanbo and Ziburuk. The municipalities will make a total investment of 50,000 euros, and the project will be selected next September and the works are scheduled to end by October 2025. The proponents believe that it will be a turning point in the management of the school spaces and that it can serve as an example for other peoples.
Amaiur, Iturrama and San Jorge also want to overcome the "heat islands"
There are not few initiatives that are emerging here and there to transform the backyards of educational centers. And as in the initiative of Ipar Euskal Herria, in ARGIA we have the case of Estella that gives importance to the climate perspective, for example: the asphalt patio became a field full of trees and plants. In the same vein, the City of Pamplona has announced the project: the courtyards of the Amaiur, Iturrama and San Jorge schools of the capital will be poured. Once again, in addition to the well-being of children, they intend to address the challenges of climate change: The aim is to overcome the "heat islands" and to increase shadow areas and vegetation. The works, which will start in August, will involve a total investment of EUR 440,000.