Beautifying cities through nature: implementation of biodiversity-friendly NBS framed by the New European Bauhaus in 3 pilot neighbourhoods of Spain, Italy and Hungary

ongoing

LIFE SeedNEB will show the benefits that the combined use of the new European Bauhaus (NEB) and Nature Based Solutions (NBS) brings to the urban environment of 3 municipalities (Lorquí (ES), Potenza (IT) and Dunaújváros (HU)). The project will demonstrate urban strategies and onsite interventions based on nature (such as green roofs and facades) which foster biodiversity while transform the cities and improve the wellbeing of their residents. Particularly, 3 buildings, and its surrounding areas, will be renaturalized: the 'Enrique Tierno Galván' Cultural Centre (ES), a private housing block of 40 dwellings (HU) and the Leonardo Sinisgalli’ School (IT). The NBS implemented will not only aim to restore biodiversity in the urban environment but also provide ecosystem services such as: the reduction of air, water and noise pollution, the protection against floods and heat waves, and the maintenance of humans and nature link. The project will develop tools and mechanism to facilitate the implementation of NBS in private buildings and doing so, it will improve public-private cooperation. It will also bring citizens closer to nature by involving them in the beautification of their neighbourhoods (participatory governance) and will provide technical and administrative assistance to boost the implementation of NBS in other areas. These will be done thanks to the creation of a biodiversity office, a NEB ambassador and a Bauhaus Citizen School in each city. Moreover, the local communication campaigns will contribute to raise biophilic behaviour, improving the acceptance of NBS by citizens. LIFE SeedNEB will also work in the development of skills to ensure the sustainability and transfer of the demonstrated solutions. This will be done with the development of capacitation activities for students, green professionals, and city planners.