Research Area:
Landscape Change and Management
SALUTE4CE
Integrated environmental management of SmAL Green Spots in FUncTional Urban ArEas
The main goal of the SALUTE4CE (SALUTE for Central Europe) project is to protect and develop natural resources using integrated environmental management of green and blue infrastructure in Functional Urban Areas (FUA's).
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Background
It is a challenge for many European cities to dedicate large land areas toward green space usage. Nevertheless, the need for benefits that ecosystem services provide still persist. The SALUTE4CE project offers a potential solution to urban areas where it is not possible to preserve large open spaces as green areas, but rather many small spots (0.2 hectares or less). Urban Environmental Acupuncture (UEA) provides the prospective of improving the urban fabric by increasing the availability and prevalence of green space. It is argued that many small interventions can improve access to ecosystem services in FUA's. Small green spots offer a source of biodiversity, may aid in climate change adaptation, and provide recreational and respite opportunities for city dwellers among other benefits.
Methodology
Project partners from Germany, Poland, Italy, the Czech Republic and Slovakia will implement the concept of urban environmental acupuncture using pilot projects within four FUA's. The IOER will contribute to the project as a whole, but has the main task to guide action planning and creation of transnational guidelines.
Project deliverables include but are not limited to:
- Development of a common methodology and criteria for selecting spots and types of interventions
- Application of methodology to create action plans for 4 FUA's
- A step-by-step demonstration of Urban Environmental Acupuncture implementation in 4 FUA's
- Creation of a transnational guideline to develop and implement action plans for FUA’s based on Urban Environmental Acupuncture
- Provision of training, a project Urban Environmental Acupuncture handbook and tools for public participation
Objectives
The project is intended to contribute to the strengthening of green infrastructure in European cities. In particular, the action planning guideline will demonstrate the application of Urban Environmental Acupuncture as an effective and innovative method of integrated environmental management in FUA's. The project will contribute transnationally toward knowledge and the potential of using Urban Environmental Acupuncture in FUA's.