UPSURGE project

We are glad to share the BURST article about #UPSURGE challenges: https://lnkd.in/dc3_gRhN

Queen's University Belfast and Belfast City Council hosted a bi-annual project group meeting for the #UPSURGE project in September 2024. The following #video, that was commissioned by Queen’s University Belfast, captures perspectives on the impact of UPSURGE, highlighting progress in implementing nature-based solutions (#NBS) in Belfast. It was jointly funded by Belfast City Council and the Queen’s University Belfast’ s ‘Agility Fund’. Videography by SlackPress Media. We encourage you to watch the video and learn more about our project: https://lnkd.in/eN2Qyz_C

Katowice #PlaceLab has started a series of #workshops for the local authorities and decision makers. Instytut Ekologii Terenów Uprzemysłowionych and #CompetencyGroup experts presented main goals and objectives of the #UPSURGE project and introduced the concept of #NBS in the context of their multifunctionality and role in urban space. The exemplary NBS implementations carried out under the project in Katowice City - live, work & invest were also presented by the Greenery Enterprise with all challenges and final achievements. We also showed the Katowice Place Lab activity as an innovative form of providing a #ParticipatoryApproach for NBS design and implementation. The #UPSURGE would like to support the creation of a decision-making environment conducive to the implementation of #nature-based solutions in a manner consistent with the achievement of social, environmental and economic goals, in line with current and future policies and strategies of Katowice. We have initiated a very good discussion with officials on how to benefit from the UPSURGE project's achievements and how to use the project results to achieve the city's strategic goals. Feel free to follow our next steps in #Katowice. #NBS #NatureBasedSolutions #ClimateChange #ClimateChangeMitigation #regenerativedevelopment #urban #environment #cities #urbanregenerativetransition #NBSbasedRedevelopment #CityCentredApproach #UrbanEcosystems #innovation #SensingDevices #airpollution #UrbanAcupuncture #SustainableCities #GreenCities #AirQualityImprovement #UrbanHeatIsland #GreenInfrastructure #UrbanSustainability #UrbanNatureBasedSolutions #naturebasedinfrastructure #urbandesign #urbanplanning #environmentaleducation #participatoryapproach #PlaceLab

The #UPSURGE Partners Instytut Ekologii Terenów Uprzemysłowionych and Zakład Zieleni Miejskiej w Katowicach Katowice City - live, work & invest, from Poland, presented the project during Katowice's Climate Week. The event, held at IETU, was attended by a large number of people, most of whom were high school students, representatives of different public institutions, councilors and citizens interested in urban problems resulting from climate change. Experts from IETU presented their experience in planning #adaptation measures using #nature-based solutions (#NBS). They stressed that in order to fully utilize the potential of green spaces and water to provide #ecosystemServices that increase a city's #resilience to negative weather events, the state of the #urban environment must be well recognized, and this will allow to program appropriate adaptation measures. Participants of the meeting were able to learn about the process of introducing new green investments in Katowice, implemented within the UPSURGE project, including green bus stops, i.e. in the area of the surface urban heat island (#SUHI) phenomenon. The role and participation of residents in shaping the urban space were emphasized and activity of Katowice #PlaceLab in the project, too. It was also shown how many different problems accompanied the implementation of #NBS in the city center, how to solve them and what we can learn from participating in such an international project. The meeting was very fruitful and generated a lively discussion. #UPSURGE #UPSURGEproject #NBS #NatureBasedSolutions #ClimateChange #ClimateChangeMitigation #regenerativedevelopment #urban #environment #cities #urbanregenerativetransition #NBSbasedRedevelopment #CityCentredApproach #UrbanEcosystems #innovation #SensingDevices #airpollution #UrbanAcupuncture #SustainableCities #GreenCities #AirQualityImprovement #UrbanHeatIsland #GreenInfrastructure #UrbanSustainability #UrbanNatureBasedSolutions #naturebasedinfrastructure #urbandesign #urbanplanning #environmentaleducation

🌿 Healthy Neighborhoods for People and Nature: Stronger Together! On November 20, a highly engaging meeting was held by Collectief Natuurinclusief at De Faam in Breda, with Coen de Nijs and Judith Römer as invited participants. During the session, we explored how we can transform neighborhoods into green, healthy living environments. Under the guidance of Collectief Natuurinclusief, representatives from GGZ, RIVM, and various municipalities shared valuable insights.   Key Topics: - Reducing Health Inequalities: Focusing on neighborhoods where health and nature currently lack sufficient priority. - Green Prevention: Integrating nature to reduce stress, encourage physical activity, and foster community connections, ultimately reducing healthcare costs over time. - Innovation and Synergy: Collaborating with healthcare institutions, governments, and residents to bring nature-inclusive ideas into practice.   Coen de Nijs gave a presentation on the Linie-Zuid project in Gemeente Breda, where he explained the initiative and its connection to #UPSURGE. All the above points are relevant to this project and align with UPSURGE’s objectives. Following the presentation, the group toured the Linie-Zuid neighborhood.   During the walk, we observed the contractor (Van den Elshout en de Bont) actively transforming the area. Residents Maria and Marianne also played an inspiring role during the tour. They introduced us to the Pluktuin, Pukplein, and Maria’s #CommunityGarden - wonderful examples of what can be achieved through collective effort!   Our Approach to Creating Healthy Neighborhoods: ✅ Play and Exercise Areas: Green spaces for both children and adults. ✅ Connection: Community gardens and meeting spots to combat loneliness. ✅ Inclusivity and Collaboration: Involving diverse groups in planning and implementation. Together, we are building neighborhoods where people and nature thrive together, ensuring a healthy and sustainable future. 🌱 #NBS #NatureBasedSolutions #ClimateChange #ClimateChangeMitigation #regenerativedevelopment #urban #environment #cities #urbanregenerativetransition #NBSbasedRedevelopment #CityCentredApproach #UrbanEcosystems #innovation #SensingDevices #airpollution #UrbanAcupuncture #SustainableCities #GreenCities #AirQualityImprovement #UrbanHeatIsland #GreenInfrastructure #UrbanSustainability #UrbanNatureBasedSolutions #naturebasedinfrastructure #urbandesign #urbanplanning #environmentaleducation

💡 UPSURGE – Rain garden study visit in Kecskemét On November 7 our team participated in a study visit to Kecskemét, organized in collaboration with the Municipality of the 18th District of Budapest, represented by Deputy Mayor László Petrovai, decision-makers, municipal experts, and colleagues from Városgazda. The focus of the visit was to exchange experiences on the topic of rain gardens. Our hosts were András Győri, Chief City Gardener of Kecskemét, his colleague Regina Erdélyi, and Kata Farkas-Barta from the Zöld Küldetés Egyesület. The Municipality of Kecskemét has extensive knowledge and practical expertise in this area and is open to meaningful dialogue. 🤓 Following an introduction by András Győri, the program continued with: • Kata Farkas-Barta presenting current practices and experiences in Kecskemét • Zsófia Pásztor, an expert originally from Kecskemét and now working in the United States, sharing insights from decades of international rain garden design • Updates on developments in Budapest’s 18th district from Enikő Korpos and Réka Molnár In the afternoon, we visited various types of rain gardens in Kecskemét, showcasing diverse locations: • A courtyard in a block housing area • Suburban streets in newly developed neighborhoods • Spaces adjacent to schools We also explored a private business garden where, instead of costly technological solutions, they opted for a rain garden as a nature-based approach, significantly reducing setup and maintenance costs. ♻️ A heartfelt thank you to our Kecskemét hosts for organizing this insightful and enriching professional discussion and knowledge exchange. The insights gained will be used to benefit the residents of Budapest’s 18th district as part of the UPSURGE project! 🙏 📷: Kata Körmendy-Szomoru #NBS #UPSURGE #UPSURGEproject #NatureBasedSolutions #ClimateChange #ClimateChangeMitigation #regenerativedevelopment #urban #environment #cities #urbanregenerativetransition #NBSbasedRedevelopment #CityCentredApproach #UrbanEcosystems #innovation #SensingDevices #airpollution #UrbanAcupuncture #SustainableCities

This autumn, the School of Natural and Built Environment and Belfast City Council hosted partners from the EU Horizon 2020-funded UPSURGE project in Belfast. Our researchers are supporting five European city partners to address social and environmental challenges by implementing nature-based solutions on real urban sites. Watch our video to find out more about our amazing project and the nature-based solutions we are testing in Belfast's Lower Botanic Gardens #naturebasedsolutions #climateaction #cocreation #lovequb #qub Emma Campbell Jennifer McKinley Bakul Budhiraja Micky Murray https://lnkd.in/eN2Qyz_C

Breda Goes Green: 4th Place in NK Tegelwippen 2024! 🌱 Proud to share that Gemeente Breda has earned 4th place in the NK Tegelwippen (= removing tiles) 2024, a national competition that highlights sustainable and green #urban development. With 322 245 tiles removed, our community has taken a significant step towards making Breda healthier, #greener, and #climate-adaptive. 🌳💧 Every tile replaced with green space not only improves the environment but also strengthens our connection to nature and each other. A huge thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to this achievement. Together, we’re building a better future. #UPSURGE #Sustainability #GreenCities #ClimateAction #Breda #NKTegelwippen2024 #UrbanGreening #BredaCityInAPark

🌍 Day 2 of the UPSURGE Workshop in #Patras: Exploring #NatureBasedSolutions (#NBS) for #ClimateAdaptation in Patras #Lighthouse! Yesterday, alongside representatives from the Patras Municipality, we were exploring how nature-based solutions (NBS) can help tackle climate adaptation challenges specific to Patras. Our focus: the Patras Lighthouse case, centered around a school complex affected by urban heat islands, air pollution, water scarcity, and noise. That morning, we visited the school complex, setting the stage for discussions on targeted NBS interventions. Leveraging the insights and #co-creation approaches of the UPSURGE project, we’re identifying ways to implement solutions based on #participatoryProcesses and system thinking. Together, we’re envisioning a healthier, more resilient Patras through designing effective regulatory #ecosystemServices based on NBS to be designed and implemented in the school complex next year. Patras has very clear vision and expectations from the planned NBS: - Implementing NBS solutions that provide #environmental benefits for students by improving air quality, reducing noise, and mitigating the #UrbanHeatIsland effect. - Ensuring NBS solutions are low-maintenance and cost-effective. - Enabling the replicability of these interventions in other schools, so that even if only 10% adopt NBS measures, it would significantly enhance environmental awareness among students, parents, and educators. - Aligning the project with other initiatives, such as those focused on #renewable energy communities, to create complementary and sequential benefits. Patras stands to gain from the five UPSURGE NBS demo cases, which provide practical, scalable interventions to #mitigate #urbanheat, enhance #airquality, and improve #waterRetention. Through the EU #RegenerativeUrbanLighthouse, UPSURGE can also facilitate peer-to-peer exchanges with other projects where NBS have been successfully implemented, taking into account diverse social and cultural contexts. We strongly believe that our discussions and the proposed approach will support Patras in selecting the most suitable solutions with high replication/upscaling potential tailored to its unique needs.   #UPSURGE #NatureBasedSolutions #SustainableCities #ClimateAdaptation #PatrasLighthouse #UrbanResilience #GreenRegeneration #EUProjects #UPSURGEproject #NBS #ClimateChange #ClimateChangeMitigation #regenerativedevelopment #urban #environment #cities #urbanregenerativetransition #NBSbasedRedevelopment #CityCentredApproach #UrbanEcosystems #innovation #SensingDevices #airpollution #UrbanAcupuncture #SustainableCities #GreenCities #AirQualityImprovement #UrbanHeatIsland #GreenInfrastructure #UrbanSustainability #UrbanNatureBasedSolutions #naturebasedinfrastructure #urbandesign #urbanplanning #environmentaleducation

🌍 Kicking Off the UPSURGE Workshop in Patras, Greece! 🌱 We’re thrilled to launch an exciting #UPSURGE workshop in the Municipality of #Patras, Greece! Our goal? To validate our vision and services for the EU #Regenerative #Urban #Lighthouse — a consultancy service framework designed to support #cities embarking on #GreenRegeneration initiatives. This framework leverages insights and results from the UPSURGE project, guiding urban areas in their journey toward sustainability and resilience. This workshop features interactive sessions exploring and validating the four pillars and the associated services of the UPSURGE Lighthouse: 1) Resources Hub 2) Marketplace 3) Capacity Building 4) Consulting Services Patras has an impressive track record in environmental projects and stakeholder engagement, making it an ideal collaborator for the Lighthouse. We’re excited to incorporate the expertise and insights of the practitioners from the Municipality of Patras as we shape a more sustainable future for urban spaces across Europe.