Insights from our Science-Policy Symposium “Regreening Cities with Nature-based solutions in EU and China”

Blog, Nature-based solutions, Urban trees

Insights from our Science-Policy Symposium “Regreening Cities with Nature-based solutions in EU and China”

14 December 20230

Marking the culmination of the CLEARING HOUSE and REGREENN projects, the conference “Regreening Cities with Nature-based solutions in EU and China – Bridging Science, Policy, and Practice” brought together experts and stakeholders to explore the critical question of enhancing urban resilience through Nature-based solutions (UF-NBS), particularly within the context of Urban Forests. The sessions unveiled a plethora of ideas, strategies and collaborative endeavours aimed at addressing pressing challenges of our age such as climate change mitigation, biodiversity loss and the need for opportunities to access nature for health and wellbeing.Read more

Blog, Nature-based solutions, Urban trees

Insights from the CLEARING HOUSE Co-Design Workshop in Gelsenkirchen by Ian Whitehead, European Forest Institute (EFI)

29 September 20230

On 15-16 September 2023, I joined and contributed to the third and final CLEARING HOUSE (CH) co-design workshop, which took place in the case study City of Gelsenkirchen. During two days of intense activity, participants from diverse local organisations – including local government, the NRW State Forestry service (NRW Wald und Holz), NGOs and local citizens’ groups – were able to learn about the outcomes of the CH Project. We also participated in lively discussions on creating a sustainable future for Gelsenkirchen, whilst enjoying convivial company and some tasty, locally produced food. Fortunately, the weather was kind to us as well, with beautiful autumn sunshine blessing both days.

Blog, Nature-based solutions, Urban trees

Urban forests as nature-based solutions discussed at Brussels Urban Summit 2023

31 July 20230

As Susanna Gionfra, Senior Project Officer for Nature-based Solutions at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) European Regional Office, so aptly put it while presenting at The Brussels Urban Summit in Brussels, Belgium, this June, “Cities are at the forefront of both the causes and impacts of major environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.” Gionfra continued with a note that already “cities have large ecological footprints with 60 to 80% of the world’s energy consumption and 75% of natural resource consumption as well as 80% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions.”

Blog, Collaborative Learning, Nature-based solutions, Urban trees

What do Belo Horizonte, Bogotá and Mexico City have in common, apart from being vibrant metropolises to live in?

26 September 20220

They have been selected in the first call of the CLEARING HOUSE knowledge exchange mechanism. The global objective of the CLEARING HOUSE knowledge exchange mechanism is to promote capacity development and exchange of knowledge and practices on urban forests as nature-based solutions (UF-NBS), based on peer-to-peer exchanges and scientific support regarding UF-NBS challenges.

Blog, Collaborative Learning

Topic-specific thematic guidelines on Urban Forestry as a Nature Based Solution (UF-NBS) – opportunities for authors

13 April 20220

The CLEARING HOUSE project addresses a global challenge that unites European and Chinese cities in their quest to develop more resilient cities and liveable societies in order to improve human wellbeing. The main focus is on tree-based green infrastructure which is the basis for “urban forests as nature-based solutions”.

The project is developing thematic guidelines to assist local authorities, consultants, decision-makers, civil society and other stakeholders in Europe, China and worldwide in delivering UF-NBS to their communities and local stakeholders.

Blog, Collaborative Learning

CLEARING HOUSE first Calls for the Knowledge Exchange Mechanism are open!

1 March 20220

The CLEARING HOUSE project is pleased to announce its first calls for the project’s knowledge exchange mechanism.

The global objective of the knowledge exchange mechanism is to promote capacity development and exchange of knowledge and practices on urban forests as nature-based solutions (UF-NBS), based on peer-to-peer exchanges and scientific support regarding UF-NBS challenges.

You are a local authority representative looking toward implementing Urban-Forests as Nature-Based Solutions in your city?
👉Participate in our knowledge exchange mechanism!

Blog, Nature-based solutions, Urban forests

22 case studies illustrating the importance of UF-NBS in Europe and China!

14 February 20220

CLEARING HOUSE partners have collected data from 22 selected UF-NBS case studies in Europe and China. The analysis of these cases illustrated the high importance of UF-NBS as contributing to health, well-being and quality of life.
All case studies are available here below.

The analysis looks into the entire development cycle of UFBS, ranging from design and planning up to implementation (governance and management), monitoring and ecosystem service delivery (taking into account biodiversity aspects), including the analysis of their effects on urban societies’ wellbeing (e.g. public health as well as socio-environmental justice and gender issues).

Blog, Collaborative Learning, Nature-based solutions, Urban forests

Co-Design Workshop in Kraków: Drwinka River Park

28 January 20220

On October 13-14, 2021, the workshop on the protection of River Parks took place in Krakow. It was a second co-design workshop (you may read also about the first one) organised by The Sendzimir Foundation in cooperation with the project partner, the Kraków Municipal Greenspace Authority.

The meeting focused on the Drwinka River Park, as an example of an area of special environmental and social value for Krakow. This area provides important ecosystem services to the city, but it is under threat from potential investment and requires active protection.