Sustainable Eco-Terraces
A pilot project that reimagines Russafa’s terraces through innovative solutions designed to improve coexistence, reduce noise and move towards a more sustainable urban model.
Description
The Department of Innovation, Digital Agenda and Investments, through València Innovation Capital, together with the Departments of Tourism and Climate Improvement, is driving this pilot project in the Russafa neighbourhood. The initiative aims to develop a unified terrace design model that is both environmentally sustainable and respectful of the urban environment.
This initiative aims to:
Reduce noise levels generated by leisure activities
Incorporate sustainability criteria that take into account air quality and the materials used.
Enhance the city’s attractiveness from both an aesthetic and tourism perspective.
The pilot intervention covers two sections of Cura Femenía Street and involves a total of nine bars and restaurants. The pilot will run for approximately four months.
The project has a budget of €75,000, with €50,000 contributed by the Innovation Department and €15,000 by the Climate Improvement Department.
Public-private collaboration has been essential to the design, production and implementation of the pilot. All participating companies are based in the Valencian Community.
A unified terrace model has been designed based on sustainability and climate adaptation criteria. This concept was developed by ODOS DESIGN under the guidance of València Innovation Capital.
The furniture, produced by RIPAY, is made from recycled materials. Its parasols feature a three-layer fabric designed to improve thermal comfort by reducing temperature through the properties of the material and its layered construction.
The sound-absorbing discs developed by SILENZIA were created specifically for this pilot project. They are made from a fabric that absorbs sound waves, with proven effectiveness in indoor environments. For outdoor use, the material is covered with a waterproof fabric. SILENZIA has also provided acoustic parasols incorporating wool fabric to improve outdoor acoustic comfort. This material is antimicrobial, odour-resistant, thermoregulating and antistatic.
The lamps, which function as a visual warning system, are part of an intelligent solution conceived by València Innovation Capital and developed by Damal Redes and Loriot. Connected via Wi-Fi to acoustic sensors, the lamps change colour when noise levels exceed predefined thresholds, shifting from warm light to red.
Additional actions included in the pilot are:
- QR codes providing public information about participating venues for customers to consult.
- Training and awareness-raising activities: In collaboration with Controlaclub and the Valencia Local Police, venue staff have received training on legal requirements and conflict mediation skills to help manage potential disturbances and customer-related incidents. Controlaclub staff are also present in the area to raise awareness among customers about the importance of respecting residents’ rest periods.
The pilot also includes a public awareness campaign developed by the creative studio Granissat. Under the name Shhhtreet Russafa, the campaign promotes coexistence and respectful behaviour among terrace users. The message is disseminated through social media, printed advertising on street furniture (MUPIs), and digital videos displayed on the neighbourhood’s digital MUPIs. Additional campaign elements include signage installed next to the street name and small explanatory totems placed on terrace tables alongside the pilot’s smart lamps.
Before the pilot was launched, baseline data had already been collected through two acoustic sensors and a sound level meter installed in the street. Once the pilot concludes, a comprehensive evaluation will be carried out to assess both the overall effectiveness of the project and the performance of each individual component.
The implementation of the pilot has involved close coordination with several municipal departments and services, including Parks and Gardens, Climate Improvement, the Valencia Local Police, the National Police, Public Space Management, the Tourism Service, Central Technical Services, the OCI and Commissioner Las Heras. The project has also benefited from the close collaboration of the Russafa Al Balansí Hospitality Association.