Urban Biodiversity Refuges: Costa Rica Turns Concrete and Traffic into Green Sanctuaries

From the City to Shared Green Spaces

As the global urban population grows, cities in Costa Rica are also transforming: more and more initiatives are emerging to restore parks, create green corridors, and repurpose abandoned industrial areas into green refuges.
A recent example is the Urban Eco Connection (ECU) project in Heredia, where reforestation, environmental monitoring, and land restoration are turning industrial zones into safe habitats for local species — a sign that living in Costa Rica also means living in harmony with nature in a sustainable way.

Heredia and the 10-Hectare Climate Refuge

In Heredia, more than ten hectares of green spaces — many of them belonging to industrial complexes or former plantations — are being transformed into climate refuges for wildlife.
Species of terrestrial mammals, bats, reptiles, amphibians, and birds are already benefiting from these regenerated areas, which offer safe shelter from urban decay, pollution, and heat waves — a tangible example of how Costa Rica’s sustainable development model enhances quality of life even in urban environments.

Urban Biodiversity Refuges: Costa Rica Turns Concrete and Traffic into Green Sanctuaries

UGA and the Ecological Value of Urban Green Areas

A study on the Bermúdez River micro-basin in the province of Heredia analyzed the city’s green areas in terms of landscape and biodiversity, highlighting their importance for urban ecological connectivity.
Even though these spaces cover only a small portion of the total area, they play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of urbanization, providing recreational spaces for people, and creating habitats for native flora and fauna.
For those looking to move to Costa Rica or invest in Costa Rica, these projects demonstrate that environmental conservation is a core element of the country’s growth model.

Experience This Transformation in Your Own Community

For current or future residents of Flor de Pacifico, this evolution shows that the urban model isn’t the only one: you can live in residential communities where vegetation is carefully maintained, and shared spaces are designed to integrate native species.
Here, nature isn’t confined to a park — it’s part of daily life. The Luz del Mar project, for example, applies these same principles to village design, offering an authentic Costa Rican lifestyle that balances modern comfort and respect for the environment.

Do You Want to Live in a True Urban Refuge?

If you dream of buying a home in Costa Rica or living in an environment that embraces greenery, biodiversity, and protected nature while offering modern services, fill out the online form:
you’ll receive more information about Flor de Pacifico villages and the Luz del Mar project, where quality of life and environmental protection form the foundation of design.