Submitted by dlatinop on 22 January 2025
Lorca - NatUR-W
Area characterisation: 

  • Barrios Altos has fallen into major disrepair. 60% of dwellings are reported to be in a dilapidated, bad or deficient state, with many households facing energy poverty. 50% of households say they are unable to keep their homes cool enough in summer.

  • The local semiarid climate means summers are very hot. The region is seeing an increase in temperatures and the frequency of extreme heat waves.

  • Rainfall in the area is usually torrential, falling mostly within a few days in spring or autumn, and water resources are limited. This makes it increasingly difficult to maintain healthy green spaces that can act as shelters.

Objective: 

The aim of NatUR-W is to address urban challenges brought about by energy poverty and climate change, in particular extreme heat events and water scarcity. Through this project, the city of Lorca in Murcia is developing and implementing ‘NatUR-W Plans’ to meet these challenges. The proposed solution respects the natural water cycle, using innovative, inclusive, sustainable and self-sufficient Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to improve the energy efficiency of social housing and public buildings, create more green space, and regenerate the historic city centre. 

Potential impacts/benefits: 

NbS implementation focuses on two key aspects. First, several public buildings will be fitted with a green wall that uses a new insulation system based on recycled and sustainable materials. Second, a part of the surrounding area will be renatured and converted into a new public green space. These NbS will improve living conditions in and around local residential buildings and create green areas that can act as bioclimatic shelters and provide several Ecosystem Services (ES). 

NbS benefits 
  • Developing climate change adaptation; improving risk management and resilience
  • Reduction of energy in the production of new buildings and building materials
  • Increase Biodiversity
  • Increase quality and quantity of green and blue infrastructures
  • Increased cultural richness and biodiversity
  • Enhancing sustainable urbanisation
  • Changing image of the urban environment
  • Increase accessibility to green open spaces
  • Increase amount of green open spaces for residents
  • Increase awareness of NBS solution & their effectiveness and co benefits
  • Increase communities’ sense of ownership
  • Increase stakeholder awareness & knowledge about NBS
  • Increase well-being
The proposed solution is to regenerate the urban area of Barrios Altos through innovative, sustainable and self-sufficient NbS that incorporate natural water cycle management. To start the regeneration of the area, NatUR-W is focusing on three key actions. First, the rehabilitation of three social housing dwellings for vulnerable citizens. Second, the renovation of the interior of an old prison building. And third, the creation of a new green space on previously unused land.
Transferability of the result: 

Engagement, governance and replication processes will be achieved through specific training and tools, such as an NbS crowdfunding platform and stakeholders board.

Ultimately, this new urban regeneration system (NatURW Plans) will facilitate economic development, and enable replication of the solution in other areas.

Further information

Sustainable Development Goals 
  • 3. Good Health and Well-being
  • 7. Affordable and Clean Energy
  • 10. Reducing Inequality
  • 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • 13. Climate Action