We are delighted to announce the launch of our new project: Biodiverse Cities, led by the city of Dordrecht in the Netherlands and co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg North Sea Region (NSR) Programme.
Biodiverse Cities is taking action to address the biodiversity and climate crisis and help the transition towards nature-inclusive societies, where nature and people can thrive together.
As a heavily urbanised area, the North Sea region directly faces the impacts of biodiversity loss. Though policy attention is increasing, biodiversity is often overlooked in cities and planning professionals lack the necessary experience. Cities introduce nature-based solutions (NBS) to mitigate climate change impacts, but rarely is biodiversity an equal objective - a missed opportunity.
Biodiverse Cities aims to implement biodiverse NBS in 5 pilot cities and replicate them in 3 pollinator cities in the North Sea region. We will deploy innovative community engagement methods using spatial experimentation and social design to connect citizens to nature.
This work will go beyond existing organisational practices to integrate biodiversity criteria in urban planning, urban development and investments. To ensure lasting results, the project will influence relevant policies with regional and national governments to integrate biodiversity action.
Biodiverse Cities brings together 16 partners from 7 countries, with wide expertise from ecology, to co-creation, policy, governance and climate adaptation.
- 8 cities: City of Dordrecht (NL), Aarhus (DK), Bremen (DE), Vaxjo (SE), Lille (FR), Hamburg (DE), Bergen (NO) and Brest (FR)
- 3 universities: Aeres University of Applied Sciences (NL), Aarhus University (DK), and the University of Bremen (DE)
- 3 knowledge expert and network partners: International Union for Conservation of Nature (BE), Flanders Environment Agency (BE), and Open Kaart (NL)
- 2 local environmental and community NGOs: Bremer Umwelt Beratung (DE) and Vogelnest (NL)
For four years we will work together to accelerate action for biodiversity in urban environments and pave the way for cities across Europe.