Sant Cugat del Vallès has launched the “More Natural Spaces, Healthy Sant Cugat” campaign to explain its sustainable management model for municipal parks and gardens. The initiative aims to inform residents about changes applied in recent years to green space maintenance, with goals to boost biodiversity, cut water use, and adapt the city to climate change effects.
Mayor Josep Maria Vallès said the natural environment and urban green spaces are “one of the pillars of the city model”. Sant Cugat has nearly 300 hectares of parks and gardens, he noted. Vallès added that the city “has had to adapt and respond to climate change” by aiming for “more biodiversity” and green areas that are “healthier” for both the environment and people. The campaign will also educate residents on “this new treatment of green spaces” and their management criteria, he explained.
Cristina Paraira, Deputy Mayor for Environment, said the initiative shares how the green space management model has changed to ensure these areas “last for many years”. The campaign includes temporary information elements across the city and permanent signs explaining specific actions, such as the presence of dead logs or the absence of herbicides. “Green spaces are not just for show, they are spaces for health,” Paraira stated, advocating for management that is “more respectful of the environment”, uses less water, and features species more resilient to pests and drought.
Shifting to Mediterranean Meadows
One of the most visible changes in recent years has been the gradual replacement of conventional lawns with unwatered Mediterranean meadows. Paraira highlighted that “for many years, grass has not been planted, but rather meadowland” and that residents increasingly understand these spaces change appearance with the seasons. The council is also trying new ways to promote biodiversity, such as sowing wildflowers in tree pits and other green areas to boost pollination.
However, these spaces still need maintenance, and there are times when “they must be mown,” Paraira admitted. She specifically pointed to the spread of foxtails, which “can be harmful” to dogs. This is a sensitive issue in a city with many pets. Municipal services are “very attentive” to this situation to balance biodiversity with the daily use of green spaces, she said. The council's model uses differentiated mowing, meaning more frequent mowing in pathways and resting areas, and less frequent mowing elsewhere to encourage flowering and seed generation. This strategy creates better habitats for beneficial insects and birds.
Reducing Chemical Use and Water Consumption
The campaign also focuses on reducing chemical products. The city council uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) model, which prioritises prevention, biological control, and low-toxicity treatments. Regarding water use, the council says 50% of the city already has remotely managed irrigation systems, and progress is being made towards more efficient systems, such as drip irrigation and the use of groundwater or reclaimed water.
Paraira acknowledged that managing the city's 28,000 urban tree pits is “complex”, especially since chemical herbicides were stopped. However, she assured that the new maintenance contract will strengthen teams and allow for “more monitored” oversight of green spaces. The Deputy Mayor also explained that the council is introducing new tree species better adapted to heat, drought, and pests. She detailed that in the past, many trees of the same species were planted, which meant that “when a plague came, they all died.” Alongside this, the council continues annual tree plantings and preventive felling for safety reasons. The latest intervention, according to Paraira, involved removing over a hundred trees that were “at their limit or dead” to prevent incidents during strong winds or heavy rains.
As part of the campaign, Sant Cugat will also organise its first Natural Spaces Conference on 16 and 17 May. This event will feature educational activities, guided tours, and family proposals to raise awareness about the municipality's biodiversity and natural spaces.
