Parque da Asprela

The Parque Central da Asprela, which was inaugurated in March 2022, is a prime example of how nature-based solutions can transform urban spaces.
Covering an area of more than 6 hectares, the park includes more than 900 new trees and shrubs from the Municipal Nursery, as well as preserving more than 700 existing arboreal elements. It includes water mirrors and open-air streams, accompanied by more than 2 km of pedestrian and cycling routes, accessible to people with reduced mobility. One of the main objectives of the project was to control flooding in the Asprela stream basin by creating a retention basin with a capacity for 10.000 m³ of rainwater, thus helping to reduce the risk of flooding on the metro line. Besides this, the park promotes the natural infiltration of rainwater and the stabilization of the beds and banks of the streams, which increases the permeability of the soil and improves water drainage in the area.
In addition, the park acts as a green lung in the center of one of the city’s busiest areas, due to its proximity to the university campus and Hospital S. João. This also reinforces its importance in terms of social services, namely promoting health and well-being, leisure and recreation, and making it easier to get around the area.