The University of Navarra campus, awarded the Green Flag for the fourth consecutive year
The campus which includes the biggest park in Pamplona, has been chosen as one of the best European green zones
PhotoManuel Castells/
10 | 11 | 2021
The University campus has received for the fourth consecutive year the international Green Flag Award for the management of its park and green spaces. It is also recognition of the way in which users, the university community and citizens in general, enjoy and responsibly use this space, taking care of the environment and making it accessible to all. Consisting of 113 hectares, it is the biggest park in Pamplona. The award recognizes the campus as one of the best parks in Europe for the level of excellence in management.
The 2021 Green Flag Award recognized a total of 2,297 parks from 16 countries. In addition to the University of Navarra campus, in Spain the Water park in Zaragoza, the University of Huesca campus and the Quevedo park of León. In total, there were 29 winning parks from eight countries including; Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and Turkey.
"This recognition, which we have received since the 17-18 edition, means having achieved high management standards maintained over time and at the same time encourages us to continue working to develop a sustainable, open campus, thus including the dimension of social sustainability, so that it can be enjoyed not only by the university community but also by the entire city", said Cristina Muñoz Corsini, Director of Planning and Design of the campus.
Cristina Muñoz reminds us that sustainable management of the campus is part of the University of Navarra's 2025 Strategy, within the framework of caring for people and the environment. She said that the same philosophy guides the development of the campus, and has resulted in the project being selected among the 60 finalists of the New European Bauhaus awards, promoted by the European Commission.
“Universities have been trying for years to adapt their spaces to the needs of new learning methods and campus life. This is often approached from a pragmatic perspective, focusing on functional aspects and proposing fitting solutions. At the University of Navarra we have created a model that combines sustainability, aesthetics and the human factor to transform our campus. It is the work of a multidisciplinary team that applies innovative and disruptive approaches", she added.
113 hectares with 4,190 trees of 173 different species
The University of Navarra campus is home to more than 4,190 trees of 173 different species, as well as different shrub species, and a botanical route that can be followed on foot. It also includes a circular running path of 5 kilometers.
The Green Flag Award is an initiative of Keep Britain Tidy and a network of partners who deliver the program nationally. It is an international non-profit accreditation that highlights good practice in parks and green spaces. This year is the 25th anniversary of these awards which began in England in 1996. Carl McClean, Manager of International Development of the Green Flag Award congratulated all the winners. “It is a testament to the hard work of the staff, administration and volunteers who maintained the parks and green spaces during particularly difficult times such as those experienced during the coronavirus pandemic, making them even more important places".