Climate and energy
Valdespartera is Spain’s best example of bioclimatic architecture, showcasing design that reduces dependency on non-renewable resources. The positioning of buildings, windows and solar walls ensures optimal use of the sun’s energy. Glass-enclosed galleries act as passive heat collectors during the day, releasing warmth at night. Solar panels on rooftops supply 30–50 per cent of the annual demand for hot water. Thermal insulation systems and bioclimatic architecture have led to decreases in heat loss by up to 50 per cent.
A monitoring and control station, the ‘telemando network’, has been developed in partnership with the University of Zaragoza and provides data on factors such as energy consumption. Such information is invaluable in understanding the ongoing environmental footprint of the eco-city and highlighting where consumption savings and adjustments can be made.
Community and connectivity
Valdespartera is well resourced with local facilities. These include schools, a health centre, a shopping centre, and sports and leisure facilities. A resource and information centre is also being built. This will provide advice for residents and local businesses on sustainable energy use and waste recycling, as well as examining the wider social issues related to living in the Ecociudad.
Valdespartera on the edge of Zaragoza city
The Valdespartera site is connected to Zaragoza city centre by buses, and a tram system is planned for 2010. Bicycle lanes have been built and cover the entire eco-town (14.4km in total). A public WiFi network is available throughout the development, supporting part-time employment and working from home.
Character and design
Valdespartera champions the concept of a
compact city. Its strategic position and a density of 40 houses per
hectare limit pollution and urban sprawl. Green spaces and natural
features mean that this density has not compromised the local
environment for residents. Public art has also been widely used, and a
number of open-air sculptures are distributed throughout the eco-city.
Ecology and water
Green
spaces have been created by planting native-species deciduous trees in
strategic ‘ecological corridors’ alongside buildings. These species
provide a cool microclimate during the summer and do not limit the
sunlight absorption of buildings during winter. They also require
little watering, reducing pressure on water conservation.
The lakes help to create a place where people want to live
Irrigation is achieved by pumping water from the Imperial Canal of Aragon, and at times of drought from two lakes on the site. A system of storm tanks and drainage networks ensures rain water is controlled and channelled into the Hueva River. The first rainfall (characterised by higher levels of pollutants) is collected in storm tanks and sent instead to the waste water network.
Waste
Ecociudad Valdespartera uses an underground pneumatic waste collection system, designed to transport organic and recyclable waste. It is fully automated and waste is collected several times a day.
Topics associated with this project
Eco-town, Energy, Housing, International