Halt the effects of the climate and biodiversity crises “by implementing measures that encouragefair re-citizenship“of cities Policies that protect the right to housing and do not cause citizens to be expelled from the neighborhood. This is the proposal included in the report titled ‘Right to nature, right to the city’ by the Friends of the Earth Association and the Consumers and Users Federation CECU.
“We warn The vulnerability situation that a large part of the population is exposed to when creating green areas in low-income neighborhoodsThis may lead to eviction from homes, especially if housing protection policies are not implemented. climate change“, note the authors of the study.
The report shows: “major urban injustices“What exists and its relationship with nature and what it suggests”emergency measures” addressing both issues public policy. It also compiles different representations. social inequality The city and its relationship with nature.
Purpose of the measures proposed in the document Combining the right to green space with access to decent housing. “Taking effective measures is becoming more urgent every day” Mitigating the worst impacts of the climate and biodiversity crisis“Say Friends of the Earth and CECU.
They emphasize this High temperatures cause more than 4,600 deaths per year in Spain alone. In this sense, they point out that cities are “an important space for movement.” Although they cover only 2% of the Earth’s surface, they account for more than half the population and are responsible for 70% of greenhouse gas emissions.
right of nature
Renaturalization of cities “is one of the measures that could benefit both parties” adaption aspect climate change mitigation“. Because urban green spaces allow “local reduction of temperatures”as well as creating meeting and entertainment spaces and improving people’s physical and mental health.”
Despite the importance of nature to human life, the authors of the study “Huge differences in access to green spaces due to income issuesThis is a situation that needs to be corrected immediately.
“We add to our concerns about the lack of ambitious plans to re-naturalise cities with the negative impact these projects could have due to increases in house prices.green gentrification‘ (increasing prices in urban areas that are ‘pacified’ and full of parks), destroying neighborhood networks and depriving citizens of their right to nature,” say Friends of the Earth and CECU.
Control rental prices and protect access to housing according to that, “basic mechanismsTo ensure that “the necessary implementation of renaturalization projects is carried out without leaving anyone behind.”
The organizations that wrote the report detail a series of emergency measures for which joint work between all administrations is required, based on two key criteria: “On the one hand, urban renaturalization by 2030 will be in line with the criteria set by the World Health Organization (It must have at least 30% vegetation and all houses must be at a maximum distance of 300 meters from the green area.) and on the other hand provide: right of natureFor this reason renaturalization projects do not contribute to real estate speculation“.
Community Climate Shelters
To achieve these goals, Friends of the Earth and CEC consider several “key measures” necessary, such as: adjust the rental price And limiting the expansion of tourist circles,’eat ban on felling of mature trees in good conditionpassing through construction and recognition of community climate shelters.
Other measures recommended in the report are as follows: Maintaining tree pits over time, ensuring that they are all stocked with trees in good condition; P.Urgently encourage the development of Urban Greening Plans In cities with a population of more than 20,000; And Balancing the number of green areas according to neighborhoodsProviding greater development in regions with lower per capita income.
Further: Balancing municipal maintenance and gardening equipment between high- and low-income areasprioritizing low-income areas as a compensation measure for the most vulnerable; Promoting urban and peri-urban agricultural initiatives; And Recognizing and developing community initiatives already existing as environmental commons (self-managed parks, neighborhood gardens, etc.).
They also offer Real and effective regulation of the rental price throughout SpainAnd banning evictions without housing alternatives; Urgent intervention in the tourist rental market the destruction of the community structures it created; financially penalize vacant housingCreating channels that will facilitate their implementation social rent; and establishing a moratorium on urban growth in cities as long as the percentage of housing in use is below 90%.
“Friends of the Earth and CECU call on public administrations to take into account these measures and urgently implement them at a critical moment to guarantee adaptation to climate change and ensure access to housing.”
Reference report: https://www.tierra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/informe-derecho-a-la-naturaleza-derecho-a-la-ciudad.pdf