EU Green Capital Valencia will host 2024 edition of European Urban Resilience Forum
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
According to a recent proposal, a forest’s main function for the city should be climate resilience
On Tuesday, city authorities in Stuttgart, Germany, announced they are going to change their approach to managing forests with a heavy emphasis on climate resilience. The shift was proposed by Technical Mayor Dirk Thürnau to the city’s Forest Advisory Board (Über den Waldbeirat) and it aims to promote biodiversity in the local forestry.
Specifically, the proposal focuses on maintaining different tree species, so forests have a stronger chance to withstand the changing climate.
The main point of the idea is to change the way the city manages local forests. Instead of a space for recreation and wood harevesting, authorities should start to recognize them as a bulwark for some of the worst effects of climate change, such as desertification, flood and soil protection. All other uses should be secondary.
Forests are extremely important flood and erosion barriers and using the next ten years to get them ready for a shift in climate conditions could have major impact on the quality of life Europe. This is why Stuttgart is trying to act sooner rather than later.
Technical Mayor Thürnau explained that science can roughly estimate the emerging climate changes, as well as what trees will be more suited for what is to come. However, it is hard to know for sure and one of the best ways to prepare is to make Stuttgart’s forest as diverse as possible when it comes to tree species in the smallest area.
Dr Claudia Kenntner, head of the city’s forest authorities said that increasing tree variety will require more dedicated forest management efforts. She gave an example with the beech tree, that would displace most other species if left unchecked.
According to Dr Kenntner, the beech tree grows much faster than other species but it is not climate resilient.
The city was concerned about street noise and disturbances to residents
This, however, is likely to change soon
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
This is city twinning for the 21st century
You can find it in the capital Sofia, where it was installed upon the initiative of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
People in both cities got to sit together both in person and virtually
The city was concerned about street noise and disturbances to residents
And the current administration plans to make Jardin del Turia Europe’s largest city green space by extending it to the sea
The aim is to have the public be able to admire the architectural design without distractions
The installation has been thought out with the concept of letting people “talk” to their dearly departed
It’s an urban space that has undergone several large-scale transformations throughout its existence
A US geologist claims to have solved the centuries-old mystery
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team