Greenways are set up on railway infrastructure which have existed for decades and have now become integrated into the natural surroundings. Their reuse does not therefore affect the environment adversely, but rather it regenerates neglected spaces, especially those close to towns. This infrastructure allows environmentally educational activities to be carried out, particularly for young people, thereby promoting greater knowledge and awareness of nature.

The main objective of the Greenways Programme is to reuse disused former railway lines as non-motorized routes for cyclists, walkers and persons with reduced mobility, skaters, etc. Started in 1993, it affects more than 7,500 kilometres of disused railway lines distributed throughout Spain. Until the beginning of 2000, more than 29 million euros have been invested in creating 850 kilometres of Greenways.
Greenways are universally accessible routes, apt for the disabled, easily negotiated due to the gentle nature of the railway routes they run along and safe since motorized traffic is banned from using them. They are the product of preserving and rehabilitating a part of railway heritage which had become disused, as well as enabling new uses and activities to be developed which provide social and economic stimulus to the areas they pass through, thereby creating local employment. They promote ecological and active tourism, accessible to all people, with no distinctions made between social and economic level, age or physical capability.
In 1998, the European Greenways Association was formed to promote development of this "good practise" which the Greenways are on a European level.

Regional, provincial and local governments have been participating more and more in implementing the Greenways Programme: they are responsible for drawing up Studies and Constructive Projects (generally with the help of the FFE) and putting availability of affected land together (by means of agreements with railway companies for transfer of rights to use, acquire or expropriate). They are responsible for management, maintenance and promotion of the Greenway when the works are end up. They increasingly are taking part in co-financing of work, together with the Ministry of the Environment. The Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs is getting deeply involved in the rehabilitation of old railway facilities to provide new eco-tourism services.

Fundación de Ferrocarriles Españoles
viasverdes@ffe.es
Carmen Aycart Luengo, tel. (+34) 91-527 35 64

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Urban Policy > Urban environment > Land use

Urban-rural relationship