Nature based solutions for soil restoration in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain). The Phy2Sudoe case

Abstract

Industrial areas located in the west of Vitoria-Gasteiz caused ecological fragmentation in the territory due to their rapid urban growth. The area of work (Mendebaldea 30 ha) had derelict and polluted soils before the intervention, lacking of any public use or activity. The Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council, the University of the Basque Country and the Neiker-Tecnalia Research Center proposed the restoration of the area by using nature-based solutions to create a large green infrastructure that would provide several environmental benefits such as climate change mitigation, soil recovery and landscape restoration. The project was developed over 6 years (10 hectares restored every 2 years) including: soil and forest carbon sinks through organic amendments and plantings, artificial ponds for biodiversity, green water filters and pathways network. For soil decontamination, phytoremediation was used combining organic amendments and agroforestry systems due to the participation in the European phytoremediation projects PhytoSudoe and Phy2Sudoe. The project test plots are being monitored in the long term with the help of public participation, offering a demonstration space for learning new soil remediation techniques.