Candidate – Hungary
Submission by: Municipality of Zalakaros
Project name: Complex Touristic Development of Zalakaros Health Resort (GINOP-7,1,9-17-2017-00004)
Short description
Within the framework of the project ID no. GINOP-7.1.9-17-2017-00004 entitled Complex Touristic Development of the Zalakaros Health Resort a new town centre was established in Zalakaros. The development took place in the following 5 areas, which are thematically and physically interconnected:
1. Arboretum: Spa and health park
2. New community function on the site of the sports field – event space
3. Health visitors’ centre „Zalacarte”
4. Dísz square – the last resting point of the project
5. Service development
As part of the project two SuD systems (Sustainable drainage system) were established for the sustainable management of precipitation falling on the area and buildings located in the vicinity of the project implementation site.
The number and diversity of woody and herbaceous plants that were planted while the stormwater treatment system was established, as well as the development of innovative green infrastructure facilitating water retention has prompted the Municipality of Zalakaros to apply for the European Green City Award.
a) Social cohesion
The areas involved in the project, the Arboretum, the park, the event square, the visitors’ centre, and Dísz square all are part of the centre of Zalakaros, and as such are the main venues for social life and leisure activities in town. The developments resulting from the project provide an opportunity for all age groups of residents and the significant number of tourists visiting town to spend meaningful leisure time.
The different parts of the renewed town centre are easily accessible, are interconnected and thanks to the rest points, provide quality recreational opportunities for all ages. Zalakaros’ ambition to be the meeting point for different generations was substantially facilitated by the results of the project: the renovated and extended playground in the park awaits young children, the old soccer field was replaced by an active fitness park accessible to people with disabilities, while the event square and the Korzó building offer a wide variety of programs to satisfy all interests and needs.
b) Biodiversity
The plants planted consist of native trees and shrubs, and two groups of herbaceous plants (in deeper areas perennials that tolerate occasional wet conditions, in higher areas drought tolerant species, typically grasses). Deciduous species include Tatarian maple (Acer Tataricum), Italian alder (Alnus cordata), silver birch (Betula pendula), while shrubs such as dwarf willows (Salix purpurea ‘Nana’, Salix caprea), cornels (Cornus alba, Cornus alba ‘Sibirica Variegata’), and meadowsweets (Spiraea) are just some examples of the species that complete the plan association. At higher elevations grasses such as flowering reed (Phragmites australis), Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) appear in great numbers. In addition to them hundreds of other perennials add colour to the rich flora of the area (as per point (f)).
These groups play a crucial role in rainwater treatment. Their water absorbing and evaporating capacity is the key to on-site water utilization.
c) Economic factors
In order to maintain and improve the competitiveness of the local economy it was necessary to develop existing touristic facilities and capacities. Thanks to the developments a wider range of touristic offers and entertainment opportunities is now available, complex tourist packages were introduced, development of urban and suburban attractions was achieved. This encourages spending by visitors (sale of complex tourist packages, income from central events, rent of cafés, etc.)
The green surfaces created during the renewal of the centre are important elements for attracting tourists to the town. The well-kept, close to nature core of the town plays an important role in the decision making of tourists looking for a destination where they can relax and find suitable recreational facilities as well. It supports the increase in number of visitors, and increases the willingness to spent on the wide variety of services offered, thereby providing more revenue for the town.
The installation of SuD (sustainable drainage) systems as part of the project will appear as an opportunity cost concerning the expansion of the urban stormwater drainage network. Development and maintenance of greywater infrastructures is more expensive, so the funds thus saved can be used in other areas of the town.
d) Climate
In the era of ever-increasing global warming there are a few tools that can be used by towns to locally mitigate the increase in temperatures. Of these creation and expansion of green surfaces is the most convenient and most well-known, since in addition to the capacity to absorb greenhouse gases, a large number of plants is able to directly improve liveability of urban areas by its natural shading effect.
The 6.1-hectare site of the project in the town centre of Zalakaros is to a large extent surrounded by green areas. This character was further strengthened by the renewal of the town centre. Thanks to this, locals and visitors can spend the hotter summer periods in a centre with excellent ambiance.
In the near future another key issue related to climate change will be water retention. Within a short period, due to extreme climate changes the amount of precipitation and a severe draught can both cause problems. To address this problem stormwater management systems have been a significant part of the project aimed at renewing the town centre.
e) Wellbeing of visitors/users
The renewed town centre of Zalakaros plays a decisive role for residents and visitors alike in terms of quality time spent in town. The project modernized a central area of more than 6 hectares, allowing residents and the 500,000 visitors who come to town every year to use a liveable, close to nature, high quality centre for relaxation and recreation.
The SuD systems, which are an integral part of the renewed park, are of fundamental importance for the comfort and well-being of the users. The planted vegetation, green surfaces, and diverse environmental design calm and recharge those passing by and those who want to relax. In addition, the evaporative effect of the system creates favourable climatic conditions on drier, hotter days, which are significant part of the tourist season.
In the same separate document, please also explain (in max 300 words per subject) a little more about
f) The selection, origin and quality of used products and materials (greenery and constructing materials)
The modernization of the project implementation site was accompanied by planting a significant number of trees and other plants. From the beginning of the planning process the focus was on creating a green town centre, and the plant associations are essential components of the area’s rainwater management system. The following were planted:
Deciduous trees
- Tatarian maple (Acer Tataricum), Italian alder (Alnus cordata), common alder (Alnus glutinosa), silver birch (Betula pendula), narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), weeping willow (Salix babylonica), silver linden (Tilia tomentosa)
Coniferous evergreens
- Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Deciduous shrubs
- Siberian dogwood (Cornus alba ‘Sibirica Variegata’), White dogwood (Cornus alba), goat willow (Salix Caprea), dappled willow (Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’), purple willow (Salix purpurea), meadowsweets (Spiraea)
Perennials, grasses
- Lady’ mantle (Alchemilla mollis), Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora), blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens), daylily– red, yellow-everblooming, pink-everblooming (Hemerocallis), Siberian iris (Iris sibirica), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), flowering reed (Phragmites australis), catnip (Nepeta cataria), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), , coneflower (Echinacea), (Geranium), wand loosestrife (Lythrum virgatum), orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida), woodland sage (Salvia nemorosa), stonecrop (Sedum spectabile), Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima), purpletop vervain (Verbena boriensis)
Regarding building materials used in the project, the contractor confirmed with a declaration of conformity that the installed materials and system are of first-class quality.
g) The overall design (landscape and optional associated buildings)
The creation of a unified city centre appeared as an important aspect when planning the development project. The integration of the elements of the design concept, landmarks and other related infrastructures into the landscape enhances the visitor’s experience. The project area was renewed accordingly.
The spa which determines the characteristic of the health resort, is the main tourist attraction in Zalakaros. The new centre was designed in accordance with the theme of public spaces and attractions built around the complex. The Arboretum, park, event space, visitor centre and Dísz square, which are all parts of the project, are all interconnected with each other and with the spa, the Thermal Lake and Ecopark, which were established before the renewal of the town centre.
The Sud systems included in the project were built along similar lines. The use of plants that can be integrated into the landscape was an essential aspect when designing them. Accordingly, native trees and shrubs were planted along the rainwater treatment systems, complementing and not disrupting the image of the previously existing green surfaces.
h) The impact on the environment (holistic, circular approach)
Systems aimed at the local utilization of rainwater have a fundamentally circular approach, their essential feature is sustainability. Regarding precipitation as a curse and the desire to drain it quickly was the engineers’ way of thinking. It has been replaced by the idea of precipitation as a wonderful renewable resource, and the need to keep it in place. Well-designed systems harvest the rainfall and keep it on site, ensuring a constant supply of water to plant associations.
Restoring the water cycle does not only mean storing it in a pond, but also significantly improving the evaporation capacity of plants through infiltrating the water into the soil. Thus, the soil does not dry out, it stores water like a sponge, and provides plants with the basic condition for life.
The SuD systems developed in the area are locally utilized elements of the municipal infrastructure, which supports the ideal existence and operation of the natural conditions present in the region (precipitation-soil-vegetation-atmosphere).
i) The innovation value of the project
As part of the project titled “Complex Touristic Development of Zalakaros Health Resort” an innovative, sustainable urban stormwater management system based on the cycles of nature was implemented for the first time in Hungary. For the treatment of rainwater coming from the event space and the surrounding buildings two infiltration surfaces were built on a total area of 657 m2 with an approximate capacity of 385 m3. The infiltration process is continuous and is able to handle extreme weather conditions. Water harvesting earthworks (smaller and larger) direct the water into long ditches which are able to collect and infiltrate 70 mm of water within two weeks. At this point the pools were three-quarters full. In addition to this the walkways of the area were given permeable surface treatment, further helping to keep the water on site. Another innovation of the development is the use of filter-filled drains, with the help of which stormwater drainage and treatment can be solved in one step. These are not only oil traps, they are also suitable for filtering out many heavy metals. Their maintenance does not require special tools, the topsoil-like layer formed on their surface must be removed 10-20 years after the first use, after which they can be further used. Summary of the benefits of the system(s): – replaces sewers, does not burden the urban network; – is able to handle extreme weather conditions; – can be influenced by varied landscaping, has aesthetic value; – increases biodiversity; – improves local climate conditions; – requires low maintenance.