Portfolio: Parque de Pájaro

Parque de Pájaro is an 80 hectare green space located within the Parque De Valdebebas development near the Madrid airport. Over time, this once thriving farming community became engulfed by new development resulting in eroded soils and decreased biodiversity. Our design team of landscape architects, ecologists, and water resource planners took on the challenge to not only restore but also to transform the site into a place for recreation, contemplation and cultural events.

In addition to providing multiple walking and bicycle trails for users, the design seeks to enhance biodiversity by restoring key native vegetation types such as the ecologically rich dehesa grassland. The dehesa is a traditional land use system, involving pastoral farming on land with a mix of trees and herbaceous vegetation, and is found in the central, western and southern areas of the Iberian Peninsula.

Three types of dehesa were incorporated into the design and distinguished according to the predominant tree species: pubescent oak (Quercus humilus), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and mixed pubescent oak-holm oak (Quercus humilis Mill, Quercus ilex). All three will have scattered patches of open meadow to allow for unique recreation opportunities.

Another element of the design includes a constructed wetland, which not only collects and cleanses stormwater runoff from its surroundings, but also attracts a variety of shore birds and aquatic life. The new park will be 100% self sufficient by producing food from the community gardens, harvesting gray water for non potable use, and producing energy through the grid connected photovoltaic arrays and 2.2 MW wind farm.

Project Specs:

Development Size: 80 hectares

Client: Parque De Valdebebas

Anticipated Completion: July 2011