University campus awarded Green Flag for the fourth consecutive year

For the fourth consecutive year, the campus of the University of Navarra has received the international Green Flag Award for the management of parks and green spaces. It is also a 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. With 113 hectares, it is the largest park in Pamplona. The award places the campus as one of the best parks in Europe for the level of excellence in its management.  

The 2021 edition of the Green Flag Award has recognized a total of 2,297 parks from 16 countries. In addition to the campus of the University of Navarra, Spain included the Water Park in Zaragoza, the campus of the University of Huesca and the Quevedo Park in León. In total, there were 29 winning parks from eight countries, including Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and Turkey.

"This recognition, repeated 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 recalled that the sustainable management of the campus is part of the 2025 Strategy of the University of Navarra, within the framework of caring for people and the environment. She also pointed out that the same philosophy guides the development of the campus, and has led to the project being selected among the 60 finalists in 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 furniture 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," he added.  

113 hectares with 4,190 trees of 173 species

The campus of the University of Navarra has more than 4,190 trees of 173 different species, in addition to various shrub species, and a botanical route that can be followed while walking. It also includes a 5-kilometer circular running circuit.

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 not-for-profit accreditation that highlights good practice in parks and green spaces. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the awards, which originated in England in 1996. Carl McClean, International Development Manager of the Green Flag Award, congratulated all the award winners: "It is a testament to the hard work of the staff, management and volunteers who maintained the parks and green spaces in particularly difficult times such as those experienced during the coronavirus pandemic. Making them even more important places".