GROW GREEN: new partnership to demonstrate benefits of nature-based solutions in cities
Innovation will be the focus of GROW GREEN, which stands for “Green Cities for Climate and Water Resilience, Sustainable Economic Growth, Healthy Citizens and Environments.” This new five-year demonstration project aims to achieve climate and water resilience in cities. Funded by Horizon 2020, the EU’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, it is intended to showcase benefits from nature-based solutions in urban landscapes.
GROW GREEN will provide the platform for a step-wise change in the way that nature-based solutions are embedded in the long-term planning, development, operation and management of cities around the world.
The three European ’Frontrunner Cities’ of the project are Manchester, Valencia and Wrocław. These cities are twinned with Wuhan in China, which will act as an incubator of the first regional hub of a global network of nature-based solutions practitioners. Each city is then paired with a ‘Follower City’, Brest, Modena and Zadar, which will learn from the implementation strategies and business models adopted by the Frontrunners.
LEITAT is involved in the demonstration project in Valencia. In collaboration with all the project partners, businesses and civil society, work will be undertaken to help develop a ‘community of practice’, including through information sharing and knowledge exchange activities with other nature-based solutions initiatives and EC financed projects.
LEITAT staff joined 21 other partners in Manchester on 13-14 June for the GROW GREEN kick-off meeting. Manchester City Council and the Manchester Climate Change Agency, will act as the Project Coordinator and Project Manager of GROW GREEN.
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