PUBLIC OPEN SPACE IN THE SUSTAINABILITY URBAN AGENDA?

TWO CASES IN
CASTILLA Y LEN
Marina Jimnez 1

ABSTRACT
The approach to two heterogeneous areas we have discussed in various academic
investigations still in process, where the open space occupies a central position and role, helps
us to reflect on some current issues in the urban global debate about that and what it can
bring to our cities in terms of sustainability.
- We refer to a functionalist neighbourhood now fully integrated into the urban
continuum of Valladolid, approaching both the process of closing / opening its private
courtyards as to the physical and social evolution in the use, perception and quality of
its accessible public spaces.
- Also, we look at green corridor environment that the banks of River Chico in Avila tries
to compose: a small channelled stream, peripheral in the urban continuum but, as the
result of the exorbitant classification of new urban land, has become a potential axis in
the structuring of public space system.
This reflection reveals the weak recognition of these spaces and makes us doubt if from
administrations and involved technicians there is some specific strategy approach to planning,
design and management them to respond to hypothetical sustainability principles.
From both, diagnosis of the strengths and weaknesses of these case studies and apparently
assumed literature on urban ecology and sustainability, we try to highlight some framework
control principles. There are few immutable truths to work with nature and city-citizenship,
but there is also much taught by the history of the urbanism and not so much learnt or at least
not internalized by the daily concerns. There is still much to do in order to incorporate open
spaces and their fundamental natural and social processes to an effective sustainability
agenda.
Keywords: Public open space, Sustainability agenda, Castilla y Len, Valladolid, vila.

Marina Jimnez, Prof. Dr. Urbanism and Architecture Representation, University of Valladolid, Valladolid,
marina@arq.uva.es

Sustainable Development Symposium | 6th annual European postgraduate symposium | 1