A Project for Urban Transformation
The 'Onda's Green Lung' is a key initiative for the revitalisation of the municipality. Its aim is to transform an area of former ceramic factories into a green space that will link the outlying neighbourhoods to the city centre. The project includes not only the creation of green areas, but also the regulation of parking, the construction of new housing and the incorporation of sports and educational facilities. It is also aligning with the principles of the New European Bauhaus and the policy of decarbonising the urban environment.
Onda Green Lung presentation
What is a circular architecture marathon?
The Marathon is an intensive learning method that tests participants' ability to tackle specific challenges in record time, usually one and a half days. In this case, the challenges proposed addressed issues such as the renaturalisation of the urban environment, heritage conservation and the decarbonisation of buildings, always through the prism of sustainability and circularity. Through this dynamic, the Circular Architecture Department from UJI aims to train professionals and students in the sector in the design and adaptation of solutions that favour a more environmentally friendly architecture.
The initiative of collaborating in this event is a testing action included in the European URBACT IV programme, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and allows Onda to share best practice in sustainable urban policies with other European cities. In this context, the marathon participants worked to find solutions that not only improve air quality and urban space but also promote the renaturalisation and decarbonisation of the area as having said.
Objectives of the 3rd Circular Architecture Marathon
The main objective of the Marathon is to promote the understanding and application of the principles of sustainability and circularity in architecture and urbanism. The participants, coming from different disciplines, had the opportunity to create a brainstorming of theoretical proposals and innovative ideas for future interventions in the Green Lung of Onda. In addition, the aim was to integrate specific sustainability and circularity requirements into future tenders and urban development processes.
Another key objective was to create a space for dialogue and collaboration between students, professionals and organisations in the sector, allowing common problems to be identified and cross-cutting solutions to be developed that could be applied at a global level.
Challenges for a Circular Architecture
The participants of the marathon chose between three key challenges related to the intervention in the Green Lung of Onda:
Challenge 1: Renaturalisation
Designing solutions for the renaturalisation of the urban environment and the creation of a green space in the future green lung of Onda.
Challenge 1: Heritage
Searching for solutions that allow the documentation, conservation and possible reuse of the existing industrial architectural heritage in the area.
Challenge 1: Decarbonisation
Looking for strategies to design housing and urban spaces that follow principles of sustainability and circularity, promoting the decarbonisation of the environment.
The working teams of 5 to 7 people presented their proposals at the end of the day on Saturday. Later prizes were awarded to the three best proposals.
Marathon Methodology
The event took place over two days, 4th and 5th October 2024. During the first session, the principles of circular architecture were introduced, and participatory workshops were held to encourage creativity and teamwork. On the second day, the teams visited the intervention area and worked on their proposals, which were evaluated by a jury.
The evaluation process considered criteria such as alignment with sustainability principles, technical and economic feasibility, innovation and creativity, alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and quality of presentation.
The marathon was open to students and professionals from the fields of architecture, urban planning, construction and restoration, and other disciplines.
The awarded participants
Conclusion
This marathon not only fostered collaboration and learning, but also generated a brainstorming of innovative ideas for the urban transformation of Onda. With initiatives like this, the Department in Circular Architecture from UJI and Onda City Council continue leading the transition towards a circular economy and a more sustainable urban environment.
Article written by Antonio Lecha 03/03/2025
