"Integrating mobility and transport, managing solid waste and green areas, and implementing disaster risk reduction strategies"

The Global Platform for Sustainable Cities (GPSC) focuses on project implementation through the Sustainable Cities Integrated Approach Pilot program of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). “Asunción Green City of the Americas - Pathways to Sustainability” is a project that is part of the GPSC and is led by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADES) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with financing from GEF and a national counterpart. The project seeks to improve the quality of life in Asunción and its Metropolitan Area by achieving sustainable and resilient cities through integrating mobility and transport, managing solid waste and green areas, and implementing disaster risk reduction strategies.

The speakers showcased how Asunción’s metropolitan area has grown; though horizontal and expansive, it has been respectful of large green areas. Asunción’s history and cultural appreciation of biodiversity have ensured this remainder of large green areas conserves a diverse presence of fauna and flora. However, modern urban growth has made a significant impact at the expense of available green spaces and affected the very cultural connection that Asunción has come to love. During the session, hear about interesting species that are still preserved in Asunción’s metropolitan green areas and the main characteristics of the ecosystems. The speakers focus on the project’s actions in biodiversity conservation and preservation of urban green areas as follows:

(i) Habitat restoration at the “Banco San Miguel” ecological reserve and at “Parque Guasu Metropolitano” park;

(ii) Strengthening urban forest nurseries with modern techniques to improve native species’ availability, increasing the quality and diversity of urban trees; and

(iii) Promoting a green corridor in Asunción’s metropolitan area and improving management in green areas that comprise the green corridor.