This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Entrevista a Eleuterio Calleja, Técnico-Coordinador del Departamento de Jardinería y Paisajismo del Ifapa, Centro de Palma del Río. Miembro de la Asociación Española de Parques y Jardines Públicos
"The trees can contribute to the improvement of the urban microclimate"
Interview with Eleuterio Calleja, Técnico-Coordinador of the Department of gardening and landscaping of the Ifapa, Centre of Palma del Río. Member of the Spanish Association of parks and public gardens
Monica Daluz15/05/2008
May 15, 2008
It is necessary to optimize the use of green spaces in the city and to resolve, at last, all the mistakes of the past. So just choose the species to plant, select a field of quality and trees give the sufficient and necessary to grow and develop space. Eleuterio Calleja, Técnico-Coordinador of the Department of gardening and landscaping of the Ifapa, Research Institute and training agricultural and fisheries of the Junta de Andalucía, talked to Interempresas about the challenges facing cities.
Eleuterio Calleja, Técnico-Coordinador of the Department of gardening and landscaping of the Ifapa.
What elements should be taken into account when designing the introduction of the tree in a big city? And in a small town?
In general, the most important feature is the appropriate choice of species, both according to criteria of its adaptation to the environment, and of its future development in relation to the space available for your location.
In addition, in a large city should be choosing species based on its greater ability to air purification, as well as aim at the creation of green corridors that connect the different green spaces between itself and these, in turn, with the rural areas surrounding them.
In a small village, on the other hand, not having those environmental and pollution problems, is can serve more to the ornamental aspects of the species in question.
How has evolved the role or function of this living element in the design of cities?
Increasingly, urban trees need to be considered as a strategy in reducing the environmental impact in urban life. In this sense, they are studying and proposing currently species that are able to absorb heavy pollutants as carbon dioxide sinks and atmospheric, as is being done, for example, at the University of Seville.
What are the most common mistakes committed when I enter the tree in the urban design?
The inappropriate size in relation to the space which will be introduced, the poor adaptation of the tree grids or space where will develop the root system, as well as a maintenance poor or poorly executed.
Do you can give us an example of cities in the world where the element in question, the tree, is especially well integrated?
Berlin, London or Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Tell us how the tree is integrated in his town and its evolution has been
The integration has not been successful... and yet they are still running plantations with many shortcomings that do that the tree can not develop fully.
All this is added the appearance of new pests and diseases of difficult resolution.
Do you think that the tree could 'used' better to contribute to the reduction of CO2 in the air? How they carried out these improvements?
Undoubtedly, the trees in the cities should use so they were sinks of pollutants atmospheric and for his contribution to the improvement of the urban microclimate. The species best suited, deepening the studies already carried out, since there is only a very limited species relationship should be sought for this.
Would it make a classification of the different characteristics of the "use" of the tree depending on the geographic area at the State level?
It is clear that the geographical area is going to make such use. Thus for example, in the North, more humid area, search species that leave pass the light and have less compact and thick glasses. Also, from the landscape point of view, conifers are better adapted to the climate and to the Center. In warm areas of the South and Mediterranean coast, on the other hand, interest that trees have a cup more compact and provide shade to public roads. In addition, here the mild climate allows the use of some exotic species, which are characterized by the beauty of its flowering, as it is the case of the Jacarandas or the Tipuanas, and also of species that are a sign of identity of some citiessuch as los naranjos of Córdoba and Seville, or the variety of palms, but dulled by the attack of the famous "Red Palm Weevil", are a reference especially in the cities of beach.
How do you view the criteria which, in general, are still in the integration of trees, parks and gardens in the design of the Spanish cities?
The criteria for the integration of areas vedes aren't all right it should be, because there should be greater control in conditions for the execution of works and the maintenance is adequate, require a substantial increase in economic allocations to these areas, by the relevant authorities. In addition, there must be personnel qualified and prepared from the professional point of view that the green areas are in perfect condition.
What would the ideal urban design, for you?
Which takes into account the landscape aspects and to ensure the population more livable cities, creating sustainable green areas with appropriate management and maintenance, looking for quality in them. Sustainability does not have to be a synonym of greater economic cost, but on the contrary, as the most expensive is not more sustainable. It is also essential to create new opportunities to increase the proportion of square meters of green areas per capita, to get closer to the Central European countries that take us much advantage on these issues.
Note: Has also participated in this interview the biologist Antonio Galván.
