permaculture

[Lawrence London <lfljvenaura@gmail.com>]

Resilient cities
How nature turned a failed communist plan into Bucharest's unique urban
park
https://ello.co/lflondon/post/svlyaai7djgq1b6bibinea

Resilient cities
How nature turned a failed communist plan into Bucharest's unique urban
park

The wild wetland of Văcărești is a symbol of nature’s resilience. Without
human interference, wildlife has reconquered this abandoned lake and
transformed it into a green oasis in the middle of one of Europe’s densest
cities

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/jun/14/nature-europe-urban-protected-area-vacaresti-nature-park-romania

>From an unfinished piece of urban water infrastructure abandoned in 1989,
Văcărești has been reconquered by nature and wildlife without any human
intervention, to become one of Romania’s most diverse ecosystems. Last
month, following a four-year campaign led by a small but determined group
of environmental activists, the government finally granted it protected
area status, officially making 183-hectare Văcărești one of the biggest
urban nature parks in Europe.

The diversity of landscapes is fascinating. The northern edge is a meadow
with wild grass, nut trees, poplars and elms, but venture deeper into the
park, towards the three interconnected lakes at its heart, and the
vegetation becomes denser and more characteristic of wetlands: various
types of willow, Johnson grass and water lilies.

Along the way you will also come across some of the 100-odd species of bird
that have been spotted in Văcărești – from wild ducks to herons. With luck,
you might also see a turtle or fire-bellied toad – two protected species
that have flourished in these untouched surroundings.