GreenInCities

The GreenInCities project explores how nature-based solutions could slow down biodiversity loss and help cities prepare for and adapt to the challenges of climate change.

The pilots to be implemented in the project will take place in 11 cities across Europe. In the first phase, pilot work using nature-based solutions will be carried out in Athens (Greece), Barcelona (Spain), Helsinki (Finland), Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Prato (Italy).

The lessons learned from the pilots will be collected and a method library produced for further work. The experiences and best models gathered will be applied and taken forward in the second phase of the project in Birštonas (Lithuania), Cork (Ireland), Hersonisos (Greece), Matosinhos (Portugal), Pécs (Hungary) and Reykjavik (Iceland).

Goal

The GreenInCities project focuses on urban green spaces, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. By researching and experimenting with various green infrastructure solutions, the project seeks ways to prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The goals of the four-year project are broad resident participation, restoration of nature and taking into account other types of needs when developing the city. In addition, the project plans to test new digital tools in urban planning processes. The goals are aimed at with various nature-based solutions and green infrastructure pilots.

In particular, the project takes into account vulnerable city residents by utilising co-creation methods and by considering how the participation of as many types of city residents as possible could be increased. The project creates a pleasant, safe and lush city for all city residents.

In addition, GreenInCities focuses on preserving or restoring natural values and taking nature’s needs into account in urban renewal. The experiences and results of all 11 cities will be refined into methods and tools that will be available to future urban developers.

In Helsinki, the experimental area is an urban renewal area in Malmi. It connects the developing Malminkenttä area with the centre of Malmi. The areas will be combined when Longinoja is developed into a functional, pleasant and nature-friendly green area that nurtures Malmi’s identity.

The Urban Environment Division is responsible for the implementation of the pilot and the development of green structure. The project develops nature-based solutions for the use of urban planning. The idea is to better identify nature’s needs in order to increase diversity.

Forum Virium Helsinki is responsible for the pilot work carried out in Helsinki in cooperation with the City of Helsinki’s Urban Environment Division.

Benefits for Helsinki

Thanks to the project, the city will gain more information on the use of nature-based solutions. Experiments and cooperation with international project partners help Helsinki assess what kind of means would facilitate adaptation to the impacts of climate change.

The solutions developed in the project will strengthen the attractiveness and pleasantness of the centre of Malmi and the Longinoja area, as well as illustrate to the city residents what preparedness and adaptation to climate change can look like.

In addition, Helsinki receives ideas for using new digital solutions in co-creation in the design of nature-based solutions. With the help of new solutions, it is hoped that it will be possible to increase the participation and sense of participation of all types of citizens.

The experiences, lessons learned and practices of the experiments carried out in the project will be collected and refined into a method library for further use.

Sustainability

The project will help the city prepare for the impacts of climate change and improve biodiversity. Digital tools refined on the basis of experiments and co-creation methods for urban planning can be used to develop cities more sustainably in the future.

In particular, the GreenInCities project aims to involve vulnerable citizens and create functional and pleasant urban spaces for all citizens.