Navas de Tolosa basisschool
Navas de Tolosa School is the pilot project of an ambitious transformation aimed at reconnecting school spaces with their natural environment, enhancing climate comfort and fostering a closer relationship with nature. The interventions, developed in collaboration with the school community and municipal technicians, are intended to create a lasting impact on the well-being of students and the neighbourhood.
Reconnecting with the natural environment
The most significant intervention is the removal of the perimeter fence that separated the school playground from Dehesa Boyal Park. This change integrates the park's greenery into the school area, creating a more verdant and inviting environment. By eliminating this barrier, children's connection with nature is strengthened, boosting biodiversity and promoting outdoor learning.
Schoolyard Design
- Permeable pavements: Replacing rigid pavements with materials such as gravel, sand, and earth enhances soil permeability, enabling flexible space zoning and restoring the water cycle.
- Vegetation as the protagonist: Strategically positioned plants and trees provide shade, decrease solar radiation, and improve rainwater retention, helping to lower ambient temperatures and boost thermal comfort.
- Shade areas: Installing plant pergolas and temporary structures helps reduce direct solar radiation, making the patio more habitable even during the hottest months.
Multifunctional space and social cohesion
The redesign transforms the playground into a multifunctional space that combines play, rest, and social interaction, thereby strengthening its role as a central hub for the school community.
Improvement of the pedestrian environment
The intervention extends to the immediate surroundings of the Navas de Tolosa School, improving school routes and promoting safe and sustainable travel. These improvements encourage active transportation, such as walking or cycling, which reduces carbon emissions and improves the quality of life for students and their neighbors.
Next steps
As of October 2024, the first phases of the project have been completed. Between 2024 and 2026, the interventions will continue at CEIP Navas de Tolosa and other centres, including strategies for management, monitoring and maintenance of the transformed spaces. These actions will be co-designed in a framework of innovation, learning and collaborative governance, ensuring the sustainability and long-term impact of the LIFE PACT project.
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