Plaza Mayor is a huge shopping center with more than 155 stores and a large number of restaurants located just a few minutes from Malaga.
The company that manages it, Sonae Sierra, always looking to offer innovative solutions and differentiating experiences in its centres, embraces sustainability as a core value in its philosophy.
The Plaza Mayor gardens are a clear example of this commitment, as they are sustainable and environmentally friendly.
This commitment to have sustainable gardens began in 2010. Since then, they have carried out different actions which have been demonstrating even by allocating fewer resources it is possible to have a more spectacular garden.
The first step was the redesign of the garden, by reducing the lawn area and introducing native plants.
Five years later, they opted for biological pest control techniques, useful to release beneficial insects and to reduce the use of chemical phytosanitary products.
In 2016, biodiversity and attractiveness were enhanced thanks to the introduction of a monarch butterfly colony which now has become stable.
In 2019 they opted for a naturalistic style for the garden, by the introduction of autochthonous and Mediterranean species, as well as species adapted to the conditions of the environment, with which they managed to greatly reduce the use of water and resources while continuing to increase the biodiversity of the garden.
In recent years, this biodiversity has been promoted with various actions aimed at small fauna such as the installation of shelters for birds, water holes, which facilitate the survival of small mammals and reptiles, and insect hotels, constructions that provide food for beneficial insects and make them settle in the garden.
All these initiatives have made the Plaza Mayor gardens a real ecosystem where it is very easy to see a great variety of birds, different reptiles, butterflies and small mammals, such as the hedgehogs and even rabbits.”

This ecological, natural and sustainable approach goes hand in hand with a high technological level. Computerized irrigation, with weather station, and humidity probes according to the water needs in the garden.

All these measures have focused on respecting the natural cycles and have allowed the ecosystem to work in a natural and balanced way.
In this project framed in the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement, the vision of the future includes a commitment to contribute to promoting this natural wealth, expanding the fauna with species that regulate this ecosystem and increase its beauty such as bats or peacocks and offering to the visitor a differentiating experience with environmental education activities such a guided tours for those who request it or a path where visitors can participate to some didactic-playful actions useful to have information about the different species found in it while enjoying the beauty of the garden.

https://www.plazamayor.es/
https://www.plazamayor.es/lifestyle/blog-moda-noticias/los-jardines-de-plaza-mayor/
https://www.elespanol.com/malaga/vivir/20230928/plaza-mayor-presenta-jardines-sostenibles-proyecto-medioambiental-unico-espana/797920495_0.html
https://www.laopiniondemalaga.es/economia/empresas-malaga/2023/10/03/plaza-mayor-aspira-convertirse-primer-92824158.html
 

DIRECT SDGs:

• Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (SDG 11)
• Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss (SDG 15)

INDIRECT SDGs:

• Climate Action (SDG 13)
• Good Health and Well Being (SDG 3)
• Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)

Justification:

1. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (SDG 11):  
   The sustainable gardens of Plaza Mayor actively contribute to the greater sustainability and resilience of the city of Malaga, which is generally lacking in green spaces. The gardens include autochthonous species, avoiding the spread of invasive species. In addition, as it is a shopping center visited daily by thousands of people, the initiative has a relevant educational and awareness-raising purpose.
    
2. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss (SDG 15): The initiative protects the ecosystem in two ways, on the one hand by introducing autochthonous species to Malaga and on the other by facilitating the proliferation of insects and small mammals through the installation of nesting troughs and burrows. Measures of this type prevent biodiversity loss in the area.It also manages the mall's gardens responsibly and sustainably. This ecological, natural and sustainable approach goes hand in hand with a high technological level. Computerized irrigation, with weather station, and humidity probes according to the water needs in the garden.The Plaza Mayor sustainable garden does not forget the promotion of the sustainable use of ecosystems offering the visitor a differentiating experience with environmental education activities such as guided tours or a path where visitors can participate in some didactic-playful actions useful to have information about the different species found in it while enjoying the beauty of the garden. All these measures have focused on respecting the natural cycles and have allowed the ecosystem to work in a natural and balanced way. 
    
3. Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3):  This good practice contributes to good health and well-being by offering a green space with native species to visitors to the shopping center.
    
4. Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12): They are currently working on creating a area for organic vegetable gardens where horticulture workshops will also be implemented. These actions are aimed at promoting a culture of responsible production and consumption.
    
5. Climate Action (SDG 13):  The creation of green spaces with native flora and fauna helps to combat climate change.
    

1. When did the sustainable garden in Plaza Mayor begin to take shape?
2. What are the benefits of pest control techniques for this garden?
3. What advantages did the introduction of native and Mediterranean plant species bring?
4. What measures targeting small wildlife have been taken to improve biodiversity?
5. What is this project's famous philosophy, based on continuous improvement?
    

Plaza Mayor is also working on the creation of a space for ecological vegetable gardens where also will start some horticultural workshops. All these projects and actions are aimed at promoting a culture of ecology and sustainability.
Being the only shopping center with a garden of these characteristics, Plaza Mayor is very close to being one of the seven sustainable gardens that are currently in Spain and to becoming the main benchmark of ecological gardening thanks to the commitment to innovation, sustainability and constant improvement.
 

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