Madrid is to build a large city extension, called the Vallecas Extension. In this project a total of 26,461 housing units will be constructed. Part of this future Vallecas extension is the construction of 5,793 special, sustainable housing units. New sustainability standards, such as the use of renewable sources of energy, the efficient use of power, recycling and landscaping, are incorporated in this project.

Currently, three specific sustainable urban development projects have been presented:

The Water Spirals project starts with the creation of an attractive, self-sufficient and sustainable woodland park. It will then utilise the three existing resources water, soil and plants to naturally purify the city’s waste water by means of a natural filtering system. The waste water will be made a new resource for the city. The combination of the three elements will lead to the creation of different ecosystems and landscapes within La Gavia park. This will contribute to biodiversity within the park. La Gavia park will have a surface of nearly 40 hectares.

Open spaces are traditionally used as habitable areas in Mediterranean towns. The ‘Mediterranean Verandahways’ project builds on this cultural tradition. The project’s objective is the development of a bio climatic conditioning system in the main boulevard that runs through the Vallecas extension. By creating this comfortable urban boulevard, a contribution is made to the social sustainability of the new extension. It will be an important public area, where inhabitants of the new extension are able to meet and interact with one and another.

The Sunrise project aims to develop a government subsidised housing block comprising 139 housing units. In these housing units energy consumption and the emission of CO2 will be 70% lower compared to those of conventional residential buildings. In order to make this massive reduction, the project uses new techniques in sustainable construction. One of the key design strategies is to promote the natural ventilation of the houses, the so-called ‘passive ventilation strategy’. Another technique used is the buildings ‘second skin’, an innovative means of solar protection. The housing block will be fully equipped with solar panels to meet the residents warm water demands.

The three projects have received significant financial support from the EU.

The ‘Water Spirals’ project is partially financed by the EC Cohesion Funds. The ‘Mediterranean Verandahways’ project is co-financed by the EC Life Programme. The ‘Sunrise’ project is partially financed by the EC Fifth R&D Programme.

EMV Local Housing Company
Phone: +34 915883803
dpir@emv.es

02/05/2005

case

Urban Policy > Urban environment

Environmental sustainability