Master Plan for Green Infrastructure of Mataró
Strategic document defining a framework that ensures the joint success of ecological processes and ecosystem services in the city
The municipality of Mataró is located in the northeast of Catalonia, between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains of the Coastal Range, offering a natural environment of great value. It is one of the main non-urbanized coastal areas of the metropolitan region, which is why it has both ecological and landscape strategic value. The growth of the municipality is limited by the Sant Simó streams to the east and Argentona to the west, by the pre-coastal mountain range, and by the Montenegro Natural Park and the Corridor, which act as natural barriers restricting urban development.
The objective of the Mataró Green Infrastructure Master Plan defines a strategy to develop a support that ensures the success of the city's ecological processes and the ecosystem services it provides.
Green infrastructure and blue infrastructure are two inseparable elements of this planning, as they impact issues of connectivity and the functioning of the physical, biological, and social structure.
This master plan brings together and considers each piece of both green infrastructure and blue infrastructure, taking into account environmental, cultural, and productive values as these are essential for ecological development. On the other hand, there is a need to regenerate the city's relationships with its natural and/or rural surroundings, not only at the municipal scale but also at the bioregional scale, as biogeophysical cycles do not recognize borders and the city is not self-sufficient in this aspect.
In the context of a concerning loss of biodiversity and the decline of ecosystem services, it is important to recognize the value of reinforcing green infrastructure in cities. This can be defined as a strategically planned network of high-quality natural and semi-natural areas along with other environmental elements, designed and managed to provide a wide range of services. The green infrastructure of Mataró is composed of agricultural land related to Les Cinc Sénies; forest land of the Montegre Corridor (PEIN and Natura 2000 Network); intermediate agroforestry land; the coastline, the sea, and the posidonia meadow; urban margins, and the greenery of the urban fabric.
The master plan is supported by an analysis and diagnosis of the current Green Infrastructure. From a contextual analysis to defining the areas and components of the city's Green Infrastructure, accompanied by a study of indicators related to the Biodiversity Foundation and ecosystem services. With this, a prospective diagnosis is carried out according to 3 different methodologies: Landscape Mosaic (Forman), Suitability Analysis (McHarg), and Feasibility Analysis. Based on the results of the diagnosis, a strategic vision is established, along with a phase of proposals and actions.