The study focuses on the planning phase of nature-based solutions in cities, in which trade-offs have to be made between different options, such as the design, effectiveness, financial contributions from residents or participatory options. Based on the UPSURGE survey and choice experiment, the aim is to assist public participation processes in various countries, help planning teams define priorities and design governance measures which ensure long-term dedication to development plans.
UPSURGE
UPSURGE bridges the gap between the existing knowledge base on Nature Based Solutions and their step-by-step practical implementation for regenerative development of cities focusing on air pollution alleviation and climate neutrality.
Our main aim is to reroute cities and fast forward their regenerative transition benefiting from the potential of Nature Based Solutions (NBS).
UPSURGE is the response to the challenges faced by cities in their efforts to decrease the impacts of urban existence on climate change, mitigate air pollution and its health effects and reduce climate change stressors.
To help European cities enter the regenerative transition pathway, UPSURGE will provide an EU Urban Regenerative Lighthouse to serve as a reference framework and a reference network to accelerate, transfer and upscale the use of NBS and mainstream them into the agenda of urban policies through co-creation and co-design processes with citizens and other stakeholders.
UPSURGE will provide fit for problem NBS together with supportive digital, and governance solutions for urban space regeneration deployed and tested in 5 real-life demo cities in Europe.
Project details
- Project title: City-centered approach to catalyze nature-based solutions through the EU Regenerative Urban Lighthouse for pollution alleviation and regenerative development.
- Funding scheme: The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 under grant agreement No. 101003818
- Duration: 48 months (1 September 2021- 31 August 2025)
- Project coordinator: E-ZAVOD, ZAVOD ZA PROJEKTNO SVETOVANJE, RAZISKOVANJE IN RAZVOJ CELOVITIH RESITEV, Slovenia
- Project website: https://www.upsurge-project.eu
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The UPSURGE project, led by BURST, focuses on urban Nature Based Solutions (NBS) for biodiversity and climate change. BeeOdiversity, a key partner, introduces the BeeOmonitoring tool, utilizing bees to gather environmental data. This innovative approach requires minimal effort from beekeepers and facilitates collaboration via an online dashboard. Past projects in Belgium show promising results in biodiversity and pollution reduction. Dr. Nguyen’s vision emphasizes integrating economic, environmental, and social aspects for sustainable change, aligning with NBS.
The Generic Quantitative Risk Assessment report described implementation of a site soil survey and consequent contamination remediation action for the Lower Botanic Gardens (Belfast, UK). The exploratory site investigation was undertaken between October-December 2022, and comprised excavation of 28 soil samples and subsequent laboratory analysis for a common contaminant suite. Results confirmed contamination distributions linked to historical industry. Risk remediation actions were proposed for features with different levels of soil exposure.
The Preliminary Risk Assessment desk survey was produced prior to soil investigations on the Lower Botanic Gardens (Belfast, UK). Planning records revealed little site development over the past 200 years, but identified multiple local historical industry-linked contaminant sources that could contribute to soil contamination. Community growers and site developers were considered most at risk from ingesting or inhaling any contaminated site soil dusts.
Air pollution is a growing concern that continues to strongly affects cities worldwide, posing significant threats to both human health and the environment. Nature based solutions is an innovative approach that harness the power of nature and its inherent ability to filter, absorb and mitigate pollutants. In the frame of the Upsurge project, different NBS are being implemented to study their benefits with a focus on air quality and climate remediation.