COACV 2025 AWARD IN THE CATEGORY OF URBAN PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE.

COACV 2025 SPECIAL DISTINCTION IN LANDSCAPE CPNSERVATION.

AWARD LA CASA DE LA ARQUITECTURA 2025 IN THE PUBLIC ACTION CATEGORY.

PROJECT SELECTED BY THE CSCAE FOR THE 2025 ARCHITECTURE AWARDS.

El setembre de 2019, les pluges
torrencials associades a una DANA, van originar el desbordament del riu
Clariano a l’altura del carrer Cantereria a Ontinyent, obligant a rescatar a 40 veïns i veïnes i a evacuar a altres 150. Fenòmens propis del Mediterrani són cada vegada més extrems, freqüents i prolongats a causa del canvi climàtic, enfrontant-nos a la necessitat de reduir la vulnerabilitat de les poblacions i l’exposició als riscos, respectant els llits dels rius i les seues planes d’inundació.

This emergency situation is the trigger that coordinates the collaboration between local, regional and state administrations to gather resources and address a comprehensive resilience strategy that is developed at different management and technical levels within the EDUSI Strategy, addressing the acquisition of buildings and relocation of neighbours, the demolition of houses, the consolidation of the slope and the execution of the flood park. The intervention is part of the landscape and urban regeneration of the riverbed, favouring the connection between neighbourhoods separated by the natural barrier of the river, in a city that for decades has turned its back on it, dotted with heritage vestiges resulting from the disappearance of the industrial fabric linked to the watercourse.

The park has a markedly linear layout, delimited between the riverbed and the slope behind it, its two ends linking up with the urban fabric: to the east, the square linked to the slaughterhouse and the reception of the footbridge under construction that will connect both banks of the river; to the west, a series of vegetated steps that adapt the difference in level between the street and the raised platform protected from floods. A riverside wood and natural meadow extend at flood level, crossed by a path that invites you to stroll and discover different views of the riverbed and the city from a subtle elevation that dynamises the passage between the trees.

The masonry wall that constituted the enclosure and containment of a demolished industry between the raised platform and the flood zone is incorporated into the design and serves as a guide to extend its layout in the same tradition of the fanning walls. Thus, the masonry forms a geometrically designed belvedere, encasing the upper platform like a watchtower. This same solution is extended as a scenic backdrop and protection for the caves excavated in the hillside, acting as a barrier against the landslides from the slope behind.

The elevated platform, which is less exposed to flooding, has the character of an urban park as it concentrates a greater variety of equipment and native plant species, as well as being visually delimited, facilitating free play and family recreational use.

Vegetated slopes, rockeries, tiered platforms and a staircase linking the two levels of the intervention, diluting their transition. Permeable paving, polygonal benches that delimit alcoves, vegetation that protects slopes, stone walls, intentional sobriety of materials and compositional elements.

Understanding and respecting that the riverbed, although sporadically, belongs to the river, allows the river dynamics to coexist with the reward of gaining natural space for the city.

The park’s name pays tribute to the nurses who served the Inernational Military Hospital of Ontinyent during the Spanish Civil War.

Arquitectes: Mª Rosario Calatayud, J.
Rafael Mira, Silvia Párraga, Ana Sanchis.

Coordinació de Seguretat i Salut:
Juanjo Espí.

Contractistes: Canalizaciones y
Derribos Safor, sl. / Vivers La Baronia, s.l.

Plans: Síntesi Arquitectes.

Fotografies: Víctor Sanchis (filtrodecolor)
i Ajuntament d’ Ontinyent.