Nurturing Urban Greenery: Insights from the CLEARING HOUSE meeting in China

Blog, Nature-based solutions, Urban trees

Nurturing Urban Greenery: Insights from the CLEARING HOUSE meeting in China

8 December 20230

The CLEARING HOUSE conference held in China last September has brought to light groundbreaking initiatives and insights into the role of urban forests and green spaces in shaping sustainable, liveable cities. This gathering of experts and researchers provided a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas, emphasizing the global importance of integrating nature into urban planning. The conference’s first day showcased remarkable trends, projects, and outcomes that promise to transform the urban landscape. This broader global collaboration from both continents highlighted the growing recognition of the universal significance of green spaces.

Blog, Nature-based solutions, Urban trees

Caring Cities: The Green Revolution

27 October 20230

In an increasingly urbanized world, the concept of caring cities has taken center stage. Caring cities, in essence, are urban communities that prioritize the well-being and quality of life for their residents while simultaneously demonstrating a profound commitment to environmental sustainability and responsibility. These cities embrace practices that enhance the natural environment, reduce their ecological footprint, and foster a sense of collective care for the planet.

The concept of caring cities is closely intertwined with the growing importance of nature-based solutions, which have become essential for the construction of resilient cities capable of tackling the challenges of climate change and enhancing the quality of life for their inhabitants.

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, Nature-based solutions, Urban trees

Popular but exclusive: How can lower socio-economic status groups win access to urban green spaces?

28 June 20230

Discover this new publication by project parnters Jakub Kronenberg, Edyta Łaszkiewicz, Erik Andersson, Magdalena Biernacka focused as they pose the question of how lower socio-economic status groups can win access to urban green spaces. Read more

Blog, Nature-based solutions, Urban trees

LAUNCH OF THE #NATURE4FUTURE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

26 April 20230

To raise awareness about the importance of UF-NBS and forest conservation, the #Nature4Future quiz campaign has been launched on the International Day of Forests

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

Urban Forests in the Time of COVID-19: Visitor Frequencies and Attitudes in Bonn, Germany

18 April 20230

Discover this new publication by CLEARING HOUSE partners Jakob Derks, Georg Winkel, Johanna Strieck & Rik De Vreese. The publication focuses on visitors’ frequencies and attitudes towards urban forests and their management, before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. This publication showcases a mixed methods case study in Bonn, Germany.

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

Pandemic urban development is leading us away from nature

18 April 20230

Discover this new publication on Nature-Based Approaches for Urban Recovery in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era by CLEARING HOUSE partner Clive Davies along with Raffaele Lafortezza!

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to construction-led development as part of recovery plans in Europe, overshadowing nature-based agendas in terms of scale, size, and policy.

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

The unrelenting global expansion of the urban heat island over the last century

18 April 20230

Discover this new publication on the Growing Impact of Urban Heat Island (UHI) Effect on Cities by CLEARING HOUSE partners!

The global rise in temperatures and urbanization has led to the increasing prominence of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in scientific research.

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

Sparking wine for a greener city? The Urban Vineyard Paola is born!

18 April 20230

Discover new article by CLEARING HOUSE partner Nicola Da Schio.

The CLEARING HOUSE projet is not only there to trigger interesting research and compelling policy processes: to some extent it also inspires what the team members do as active citizens in their own neighbourhood.