River axis of Vila da Lourinhã – Ecological Corridor
- Description
- The implementation of this project is related to the relevance of the relationship with Rio Grande on the urban development of the village. In addition to the objective of stabilising the watercourse and the banks, the intervention area was extended beyond the banks of Rio Grande to the south, allowing the creation of spaces for accommodation and circulation in close coordination with the Urban Green Park of Cegonha. The project's development was based on the landscaping of Rio Grande - a permanent water line - next to Lourinhã's low alluvial area, in close collaboration with the Project for the Requalification and Valorisation of the Green Park of Cegonha. The rehabilitation of the ecological corridor is part of the concept of a linear park, which includes walking and cycling routes, as well as the rehabilitation of the riparian gallery closely associated with Rio Grande. The aim of the project was to develop a space that would promote environmental enhancement and landscape integration, improve the supply of qualified public space, ecological balance in the urban
- environment and ensure flow conditions, particularly in critical situations of precipitation. The objectives of the intervention were based on the following guiding principles: — Strengthen the continuity of the ecological corridor; — To establish a clear articulation between the margins of Rio Grande, in view of the expansion to the north of the urban nucleus of Lourinhã foreseen in the headquarters of PDM; — To strengthen the relevance of the Ribeirinho Axis in close connection with the Parque da Cegonha, in order to constitute a testimony of the cultural, social, sporting and environmental experience of the village; — Ensure a sustainable green space, and reverse the degradation trend over time due to lack of regular maintenance. Creating scenic reference conditions, accentuating and restoring the Municipal Ecological Structure, the development of the project took place primarily through the stabilisation of the watercourse and its banks, through the introduction of elements belonging to riparian vegetation that, in these circumstances, play a fundamental role in the balance
- of riparian ecosystems, contributing to the landscape protection of the watercourse, functioning as a biological filter for nutrients and other pollutants, and the retention of sediments originating from erosion processes. Considering that the area to be intervened is part of the National Ecological Reserve (REN), namely in the Watercourses and respective Beds and Margins typology, the natural conditions of hydraulic and hydrological functionality of the course were guaranteed, as well as the risk of flooding situations, avoiding soil sealing or reducing the flow section, guaranteeing the safety of people and property. At the same time, the development of the project took into consideration the functional organisation of the play area, through the creation of an accessibility system with pedestrian and cycling routes and a set of street furniture such as drinking fountains, lighting, paper trays, bicycle parking and living and leisure spaces, contributing to the improvement of the quality of life and image of the city of Lourinhã.
