a wealth for Europes cities Chantal van Ham European Programme - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Green infrastructure, a wealth for Europe’s cities

Chantal van Ham European Programme Officer IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature

International Union for Conservation of Nature

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Did you know that….

• By 2020, 80% of Europe’s population will live in urban areas?
• Brussels is home to > 50% of floral species in Belgium?
• 60% of land projected to become urban by 2030 still has to

be built?

• If every household in England had good access to quality

green space, around € 2,5 bln/year could be saved in health costs?

• The economic value of CO2 stored in Amsterdam’s 400,000

trees is estimated to be worth € 73,000 annually?

• 1/3 of the world’s largest cities obtain a significant proportion
• f their drinking water from forest protected areas?

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Managing the urban green landscape

Policy tools and instruments for green infrastructure Investment in protection, restoration and maintenance of green infrastructure, an amazing untapped potential Micro-climate regulation, water provision, recreation, urban biodiversity, food production, health well-being

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Berlin, biotope area factor

The area portion of a plot of land for new development that serves as a location for plants or assumes other functions for the ecosystem Reduction of the environmental impact in the city center Improving the ecosystem's functionality and promoting the development of biotopes Covers urban forms of use - residential, commercial, and infrastructural - ecological minimum standards for structural changes and new development

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Lisbon, metropolitan ecological network

• Ecological network, a tool for land management at the

national, regional and local level since 1999

• Metropolitan ecological network: connectivity urban and

rural areas and environmental goals

• Strategic plan: competitiveness, environmental

sustainability, equity and governance

• Green Infrastructure benefits: ecosystem resilience, climate

change adaptation, disaster prevention, ecosystem service provision

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Plymouth’s Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan

• Green spaces of importance for people, environment and

economy

• A blueprint for existing spaces, creation of future spaces and

their linkages

• Identify elements for Green Infrastructure and find

consensus for sustainable growth of the city and its surroundings

• Many benefits: health and well-being, biodiversity, climate

change adaptation, a low carbon economy, local food, sustainable transport

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Copenhagen, green roof policy

• Copenhagen carbon neutral by 2025
• Adaptation to climate change and ecosystem based

approach

• Green roofs, a solution
• Essential: leadership,

multifunctional potential, engagement of private actors

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Ramsar principles for urban and peri-urban wetlands

• No further degradation or loss of wetlands as a result of

urban development or management

• Wetlands as essential water management infrastructure
• Restoration of wetlands and creation as elements of urban

infrastructure to optimise ecosystem service delivery

• Understanding the value of wetlands
• Stakeholder engagement
• Integrated planning

International Union for Conservation of Nature

The way forward

• Demonstrate benefits and share best practices of green

infrastructure in urban spatial planning and design

• Foster connectivity between urban and rural areas
• Integrate green infrastructure in sustainable urban development
• Promote cooperation between private, public & NGO partners

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Thank you !

chantal.vanham@iucn.org