On January 15th, the Mestre Martí Tauler Library in Rubí was the venue for the lecture "Why is green infrastructure a key element for making urban spaces sustainable?", delivered by Dr. Mariona Ferrandiz. A renowned postdoctoral researcher at CREAF and adjunct professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Ferrandiz is an expert in urban ecology and co-director of Replantegem, an initiative dedicated to promoting sustainability in urban environments.
The event offered a profound reflection on the necessity of integrating nature into urban spaces to address current environmental and social challenges. Ferrandiz began her presentation by emphasizing that green infrastructure, such as parks, green areas, vegetated roofs, and ecological corridors, is not just an aesthetic resource but also a fundamental tool for ensuring the sustainability of cities.
The researcher analyzed how accelerated urbanization and climate change are generating problems such as rising temperatures, biodiversity loss, and decreasing quality of life in urban areas. In this context, Ferrandiz highlighted that "green infrastructure acts as a vital support system, helping to regulate the local climate, improve air quality, and provide well-being spaces for people."
During the lecture, successful case studies of projects implemented in Barcelona and the Metropolitan Area were presented, where Ferrandiz coordinates various initiatives. She stressed how these interventions have demonstrated that collaboration among institutions, local communities, and experts is key to designing sustainable solutions tailored to the specific needs of each territory.
One of the session's most noteworthy aspects was Ferrandiz's emphasis on the transformative role of green infrastructure in promoting a more equitable city. She highlighted how these spaces can reduce social inequalities, especially in underprivileged neighborhoods, by offering healthy and accessible environments for everyone. She also mentioned the importance of environmental education to encourage citizen participation in the care and maintenance of these spaces.
Ferrandiz concluded with a call to rethink the current urban model, adopting an integrative vision that places nature at the center of city design and planning. According to the researcher, "the transition to greener and more resilient cities is not just desirable but essential to address global challenges."
The lecture was an inspiring exercise that invited attendees to reflect on the future of cities and the collective responsibility to make them more sustainable. Rubí, with events like this, strengthens its role as a space for debate and awareness on key issues for sustainable development.
