Guimarães Working Group 1: River Landscapes
Coordination
Adrian Noortman (LNI), Anna Szilágyi-Nagy (LNI, CABULAND), Ana Pinheira (Landscape Laboratory)
Local challenge
Reconnecting to nature: How might we enhance the riverbanks of the Costa Couros Stream, the Selho River, and the retention basin to reduce flood risk and erosion, while transforming these river corridors into biodiverse and accessible green spaces that promote recreation, and community well-being?
Spatial scope: Costa Couros Stream + Selho River + retention basin
Partners: Schools, Riverkeepers, Municipality of Guimarães (1 person, retention basin), Green Brigades
Guiding questions
- How might the river landscapes of Costa Couros Stream and Selho River evolve in response to urban runoff and climate changes, and what could be the implications for flood management?
- How could these river corridors be designed to maximise ecological, recreational, and educational benefits for local communities?
- What strategies could best balance conservation, recreation, and urban development along the rivers over time?
- How might community involvement and governance models enhance the long-term stewardship of these waterways?
- How is the river area perceived and used by the residents of different age groups?
Outcomes and elements for the forum publication
- A variety of integrated development scenarios showing a spectrum of possible futures for the urban river corridor
- A small selection of good practice case studies
- Suggestions for innovative educational approaches
- Suggestions for possible research topics / research questions
- Illustrated catalogue of green-blue interventions for key sites along Selho and Costa-Couros. It could focus on floodplain restoration, water remediation, converting grey infrastructure into natural engineering
- Flood risk and ecosystem services map of the river, identifying priority intervention zones
- Policy brief with recommendations to the municipality on best practices for river corridor management