Page 12 - Landscape-Issue123

PROJECT

Examples of urban art in the park, undertaken by various African artists

outdoor seating for about 400 people and a large area for standing Among the multiple environmental benefits that the park, as a
spectators, allowing for different types of cultural activities. During green space with a large permeable area in Beira, contribute to
the course of the work, several modifications were requested and resilience and adaptation to climate change, the following stand
Forjaz Architects undertook the redesign. out: temperature reduction; improvement in air and soil quality;
decrease in surface runoff of rainwater; the reduction of energy
Six double kiosks were built throughout the park on the boulevard, costs; increase in carbon sequestration, increase in fauna and
creating 12 sales posts. Each double kiosk (for two sellers) has a biodiversity corridors, and incentives for educational actions.
counter, small kitchen and exterior paving. The architecture is
very simple – non-opaque wooden tilting windows, and a main Green infrastructures are important within the context of constant
structure of wood. Four kiosks are located on the boulevard flooding in Beira, helping to reduce soil collapse and water
(Basin 1) and two kiosks in Basin 3. stagnation. Trees and other plants absorb water into their roots,
stems and leaves and increase water penetration into the soil. They
Public toilets have been strategically placed within the park and also slow the flow of water on the banks and decrease sediment in
are located along the boulevard and in the remaining basins. waterways.

A water tower serves a dual purpose: water elevation (for the water Mangroves are extremely important for coastal protection against
supply of the boulevard buildings) and a panoramic viewpoint. It strong winds and cyclones, soil stabilisation against erosion,
is a beautiful building constructed from reinforced concrete, and pollutant biofiltration and carbon sequestration, contributing
is one of the many attractions in the park. to the mitigation of climate change. The mangrove replacement
project was developed in the Chiveve River Basin, where 70,000 m 2
Environmental and climate change aspects of mangroves were revitalised. A nursery was set up to plant 30,000
The Chiveve River Urban Park is a climate resilience project mangrove seedlings and four species of mangrove were selected,
and contributes to the improvement of urban quality. Climate namely: Ceriops tagal (Indian mangrove), Avicennia marina (white
resilience is essential to mitigating the impact of climate change. mangrove), Rhizophora mucronata (red mangrove) and Bruguiera
gymnorhiza (black mangrove).
Adaptation means anticipating the adverse effects of climate
change and taking appropriate measures to prevent or Currently, management of the park is being carried out by municipal
minimise the damage they may cause, or take advantage of the company EMRICH, with the support of SWECO.
opportunities that may arise. Green areas and tree planting are
among the main adaptation actions in cities, with the aim of Information supplied by Inês Gonçalves (IAG Landscape Architect and
improving green infrastructure and facing the problems of heat Biologist, working under TPF Consultores) and Justin Young of Life
islands and global warming. Landscapes. Photos courtesy of the project / Inês Gonçalves. n

10 Landscape SA • Issue 123 2023