Collaboration platform

For the promotion of green infrastructures in our cities.

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Life Grin Platform

Urban Forestry and Green Infrastructure

The perception of urban areas usually focuses on the negative effects they have on the environment. However, cities are themselves a species-rich and diverse ecosystem, with the presence and vitality of the organisms found in and around them being impressive.

The object of Urban Forestry is the study of these particular ecosystems, both in terms of ecological conditions and in relation to the thriving of various species and the degree of fulfilment of the purposes for which they have been used. In addition, in accordance with its principles, it sets out the management objectives and the various methods of protecting, enhancing and improving of urban green. The aim is to improve the ecological conditions of the urban ecosystem and raise the quality of life of the inhabitants. It therefore appears that its practice is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary affair, since it requires the cooperation of scientists from the fields of forestry, landscape architecture, urban planning and urban design, landscape ecology and socio-economic sciences, with the ultimate aim of general planning, installation and management of urban vegetation in tree rows and parks in and around cities, with emphasis on their functional value and aesthetics.

A key building block of the urban ecosystem is urban green infrastructures, areas characterised by free, permeable and soft surfaces. The network of urban green infrastructures constitutes the Green Infrastructure, and is defined as the network that connects land and water, supports native species, maintains natural ecological processes and contributes to the quality of life of the people.

Functionality of the Platform

Integrated management of urban green infrastructure requires the collection of basic information on quantitative and qualitative parameters related to climatic conditions, vegetation condition, health, biodiversity, etc.

During the implementation of the project, first the existing situation of the Urban Green infrastructures in the participating municipalities was analyzed, and through SWOT analysis key elements related to their management and their relation to the climatic conditions of the specific cities were identified. Guidelines were then created for the preparation of Integrated Strategic Urban Green Management Plans. The basic idea behind them is that the urban green mosaic is a whole, it should not be managed in fragments, and by applying the principles of Urban Forestry it is a tool for mitigating and preventing the effects of climate change. The guidelines include best practices and indicators for assessing and monitoring both urban green infrastructure and the progress of its management. An important tool for the management of urban green infrastructures at national level is the online platform for the inventory of green infrastructure in the urban environment and the corresponding database.

The data collected helps the decision-making center to form a comprehensive view of the current situation, thus defining the strategic management plan for each area and the costs required for maintenance or improvement, where necessary, allowing multiple uses depending on the purpose set each time. The collection of such data helps to identify priority areas for specific work (especially planting), to define the objectives of the management plan and to quantify the benefits provided by the green infrastructure.

Key Objective: To integrate climate governance into the management of urban green infrastructure.

Proper management of urban green infrastructure can provide the benefits enjoyed as in the case of any natural resource, and by targeting energy saving, carbon capture and storage, it can make a significant contribution to mitigating the problem of global warming and climate change.

Reducing the urban heat island effect.

Research shows that urban tree crowns can be up to twice as effective in reducing the urban heat island effect compared to other strategies.

It appears that shading by urban trees can reduce the maximum surface temperature of non-permeable surfaces (asphalt, concrete) by 11-25 °C, while plant evapotranspiration alone or in combination with shading, can lead to a reduction of maximum summer temperatures by 1-5 °C.
Reducing energy use for heating and cooling in buildings.

The cooling efficiency of a small healthy tree - with full crown - can be equivalent to the efficiency of an air conditioner running for 20 hours.

Research shows that urban trees can reduce the annual cost of heating buildings by 10-30%.
Reducing surface runoff of precipitation.

Urban green infrastructures, occupying 5% of an area's total surface, can reduce runoff by up to 2%, while individual urban trees can reduce rainwater runoff by 7-22% compared to impervious surfaces.
Reducing atmospheric CO2.

In one year, four acres of trees can absorb up to 2.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide, an amount equal to that emitted by a car driven for 14,000km.
Enhancing biodiversity.

As rapid urbanisation leads to a global loss of biodiversity, both individual urban trees and organised green infrastructures can be hotspots of diversity within the urban ecosystem.
Improving the quality of life of residents.

Urban green infrastructures are places of socialisation for the inhabitants of a city, strengthening social ties.

Trees and urban green spaces can reduce the stress of everyday life for city dwellers and provide numerous health benefits.

Lower crime rates have been observed in areas with an increased proportion of urban green infrastructure.

The role of urban green infrastructures during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Research shows that city dwellers recognize the importance of urban green infrastructures.

My perception of urban green infrastructures as a means of improving human health has been affected following the imposition of traffic restriction measures to safeguard public health against Covid-19 (quarantine - March 2020).

Very much 284 (38.9%)

Much 164 (22.4%)

Moderate 125 (17.1%)

A little 44 (6%)

Not at all 114 (15.6%)

Which of the 2 options would you choose in case of the imposition of traffic restriction measures (quarantine) to safeguard public health against Covid-19?

Access to urban green infrastructures 82.4%

Free use of internet at home 17.6%

Urban green infrastructures are important or very important for our mental and physical health.

Absolutely Essential 647 (88.5%)

Very Important 67 (9.2%)

Of Average Importance 10 (1.4%)

Of Little Importance 3 (0.4%)

Not Important At All 4 (0.5%)

5941439

Total green area (sq.m.)

67659

Number of trees

42682

Number of shrubs

66658

Number of indigenous species

43683

Number of alien species

10 Most Popular Species of Trees/Shrubs

Ψευδακακία

Σοφόρα

Αγγελική (Πιτόσπορο)

Σφενδάμι Νεγούνδιο

Πλάτανος ανατολικός

Ιαπωνικό Λιγούστρο

Πικροδάφνη

Νερατζιά

Χαλέπιος Πεύκη

10.

Λιγούστρο το κοινό

Health Indicator

7.42

Mortality Indicator

0.025%

100

Deliverable

The deliverables of the project contribute to the promotion of green infrastructure in our cities.

Strategic Planning

Guidelines for the strategic planning and management of urban green infrastructures to address climate change.

Monitoring indicators design

Development of a system of indicators for the integrated monitoring and evaluation of Urban Green infrastructure in relation to climate change.

Management Plan of the Municipality of Maroussi

Preparation of a 10-year Management Plan for the urban green infrastructures of the Municipality of Maroussi

Management Plan of the Municipality of Heraklion

Preparation of a 10-year Management Plan for the urban green infrastructures of the Municipality of Heraklion

The LIFE GrIn program

The LIFE Grin Project is coordinated by Hellenic Agricultural Organization “DEMETER”, Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems and Forest Products Technology (coordinating beneficiary) and it is implemented in cooperation with the associated partners GOUNARIS N. – KONTOS K. O.E. – “Homeotech Co”, Central Union of Hellenic Municipalities, Municipality of Amarousion, Municipality of Heraklion and the Ministry of Environment and Energy. The project supports the integration of urban green infrastructures into urban planning for climate change measures in cities.

Contact

Partners

The project is coordinated by the Institute of Mediterranean and Forest Ecosystems (ELGO Demetra) with the contribution of all partners.

ELGO DIMITRA

Coordinating partner of the project

The main objective of ELGO-DIMITRA is the development and support of actions aimed at the modernization and development of the country's agricultural sector, the improvement of production processes, the strengthening of competitiveness, the certification of quality agricultural products and food, the establishment and certification of good agricultural practices and controls in the production and distribution chain of milk and meat in the country.

Research Institute to support forest management actions, development of technology and the transfer of knowledge.

The Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems and Forest Products Technology (IMFE) is one of the oldest research institutes in Greece and falls under the Hellenic Agricultural Organization “DEMETER”. The mission of IMFE is to support forest management actions in Greece through research, development of technology and the transfer of knowledge.

IMFE is responsible for the general coordination and management of the Project. Its main duties involve analysis of the current situation regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation needs and elaboration of the Communication Plan of the Project, the elaboration and implementation of guidelines for the strategic planning and management of urban green areas in response to climate change and the replication and transfer plan of the project results.

Moreover, it participates in the monitoring actions of the Project, while is also responsible for the dissemination of the Project results and networking with other research entities and similar programs.

HOMEOTECH – Thessaloniki

Technology Partner

Private environmental management company, based in Thessaloniki. Responsible for the planning and development of the cooperation platform that will serve as a register of urban green areas and the operation of the corresponding database.

Responsible for the planning and development of the cooperation platform that will serve as a register of urban green areas and the operation of the corresponding database is the company HOMEOTECH. The mission of the company is to collect, process, analyze and present data related to forests, natural and build environment and landscape, offering services related to the protection, development, restoration and promotion of ecosystems. The company has extensive experience in Urban Forestry, both creating cutting-edge applications and providing advice on the protection, enhancement and management of urban green.

HOMEOTECH will participate in the Project administration and is also responsible for its financial management. It will take part in the preparatory actions for the analysis of the current situation of urban green areas in the participating Municipalities, as well as in the development and implementation of guidelines of strategic planning of urban green areas in the Municipalities in regard with climate change It also participates in the development of the specifications for the preparation of plans for the management of urban green infrastructures in relation to climate change, but also in their implementation, through the Integrated Plans for Marousi and Heraklion. Moreover, it has an active role in monitoring the Project’s impacts and the assessment of indicators, as well as in the communication and dissemination of the Project’s results.

Ministry of Environment
and Energy

Ministry

The Directorate General of Forests and Forest Environment is responsible for management and conservation of forests and the elaboration of guidelines for the protection and creation of urban parks and woods.

The Ministry of Environment and Energy works towards the protection of the natural environment and resources, improving life quality, mitigation and adaptation against climate change and empowering mechanisms and bodies of environmental governance. The Directorate General of Forests and Forest Environment is responsible for the management and conservation of forests and the elaboration of guidelines for the protection and creation of urban parks and woods as well as for the development of forest policies and its implementation at a national level. Moreover, contributes at providing guidance and financial support to local Forest Services.

Regarding the implementation of the Project, the Directorate General of Forests and Forest Environment actively participates in the planning and constitutes the final recipient of the cooperation platform that will serve as a register of urban green areas at a national level. Moreover, the Ministry of Environment and Energy will promote the incorporation of results and guidelines that will emerge from the pilot implementation of the Project as well as from the public consultations in the development of improved local and national policies for creating urban green areas in the context of climate change.

Central Union of Municipalities of Greece

Representative

It is an entity representing the 1st level of self-government and is represented by the Mayors of all Municipalities of the country.

The Central Union of Greek Municipalities (KEDE) is supervised by the Ministry of Interior and is represented by the Mayors of all Municipalities and representatives of the Regional Units of the country. It is an entity representing the 1st level of self- government which aims at the cooperation between municipalities, the research and study of issues related to local authorities, the cooperation with relevant international and European institutions and bodies and the empowerment of local development and economy, environmental protection and social cohesion.

The role of KEDE in the Project implementation focuses on the dissemination of the objectives and results of the Project, not only in all Municipalities of the country through its interaction with the wider public and citizens of the Municipalities, but also in a European level through the liaison with the Council of European Municipalities and Regions and the Covenant of Mayors Initiative.

Municipality of Amaroussion

Beneficiary - Pilot Participant

Municipality of Heraklion