Urban Green Infrastructure Management: A Key Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation in Mediterranean Cities

Key Learnings

• Embrace Urban Green Infrastructure: Prioritizing urban green areas unlocks nature’s potential and supports combatting climate change and enhancing urban resilience.
• Adopt Integrated Management and enhance collaboration: Using a coordinated management strategy, involving stakeholders and community members ensures effective design and maintenance of green areas.
• Invest in Data-Driven Decision Making: Implement robust data collection and monitoring systems to assess the impact of urban green areas. Standardised indicators help make informed decisions for sustainable management.
• Leverage Multi-Benefit Solutions: Urban green areas provide a range of benefits. Therefore, promoting urban green infrastructure as essential assets can significantly improve the quality of life while also tackling climate challenges.

Summary

The LIFE GrIn project integrates urban green areas into the urban ecosystem, recognising their role in climate change mitigation and adaptation. It aims to streamline local climate governance with a sustainable policy for managing, monitoring, and evaluating these areas through collaborative planning and best practices. Aligning with EU climate goals, the project enhances urban resilience and public values. Strategic management plans were developed for pilot regions in Amarousion and Heraklion, resulting in two new model green areas per municipality. The project's key achievement is the upcoming enactment of the policy as state law by the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

Contact

Name: Aimilia Kontogianni – Forester – Environmentalist, PhD

Organisation: Homeotech Co.

Email: aimbkon [dot] homeogmail [dot] com (aimbkon[dot]homeo[at]gmail[dot]com)