Located along the Atlantic coast of central Portugal, the Municipality of Mafra depends heavily on the Lizandro River basin for environmental stability, local agriculture, and community well-being. However, changing rainfall patterns and expanding urban developments are increasing climate pressures across the region, triggering vulnerabilities that include:
- Elevated flood risks and slope instability along riverbanks during heavy precipitation events, threatening both rural farmland and nearby urban infrastructure.
- Degradation of riparian ecosystems, leading to soil erosion, altered river hydrodynamics, and the loss of native habitats critical for local fauna.
- Disconnection between communities and natural water systems, reducing public awareness of sustainable water management and freshwater conservation.
Strategic Framework & Community-Led Living Labs
To restore the natural functions of the Lizandro River while strengthening local flood defenses, the Municipality of Mafra established two Rivers+ Living Laboratories: one in the rural parish of Carvoeira and another in the urban center of Venda do Pinheiro.
Developed under the Strategic Plan for the Rehabilitation of Watercourses of Mafra (PERLA Mafra), this initiative unites municipal planners, environmental experts, and local residents. Operating as open-air demonstration sites, the Living Labs serve as collaborative hubs for training, environmental education, and direct public participation in river restoration efforts.
Practical Action, Biodiversity, and Replicable Solutions
The initiative applies targeted Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to deliver tangible ecological and social benefits across the river basin:
- Slope Stabilization and Hydrodynamic Restoration: Applying bioengineering techniques and Nature-based Solutions to stabilize fragile riverbanks, control erosion, and regulate water flow to mitigate flood risks.
- Riparian Buffer & Biodiversity Enhancement: Planting native riparian vegetation species to re-establish natural ecological buffers, improve biophysical water conditions, and protect indigenous fauna.
- Living Laboratories for Environmental Education: Creating accessible public spaces that showcase best practices in river rehabilitation, improving local air quality, and boosting community well-being.
- Citizen Engagement & Knowledge Transfer: Hosting community training and participatory activities that build public acceptance, encourage sustainable water habits, and offer a blueprint for replicating river restoration in similar European contexts.