Overall Objective
The general objective of the project is to develop a transnational tool for green urban solutions that contribute to climate change adaptation and are integrated into local and regional plans for urban resilience in the Black Sea Basin. The project addresses the increasing problem of urban heat stress caused by climate change
Specific Objectives
- To establish the first cross-border LANDLAB in the Basin to apply European expertise in Green Urban Resilience Planning to cities in the Black Sea region.
- To implement European-standard heat stress measurements in four pilot cities to map urban heat.
- To develop the first Heat Resilience Strategies for the four pilot cities to address Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects.
- To implement pilot green initiatives that demonstrate practical solutions for reducing urban heat stress.
- To strengthen the capacity of municipalities, experts, and local communities through training, workshops, and active citizen participation.
Programme Goals:
The project directly contributes to the objectives of the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme by fostering cross-border cooperation, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting inclusive, sustainable, and innovative approaches aligned with EU climate and environmental policies.
Key Outputs:
- Heat stress maps for the four target cities.
- A Planning Pathway Tool to guide municipalities in developing Heat Resilient Strategies.
- Three pilot green interventions: a community garden in Uzunköprü, a nature-friendly pedestrian alley with rainwater collection in Sozopol, and shading through tree planting in Kavala.
- Capacity-building activities, including thermal walks, training of trainers, and local workshops.
- Knowledge capitalization and dissemination through the Climate-ADAPT platform and international events.
Target Groups
Infrastructure and Service Providers
Staff from municipal departments responsible for parks and green areas will receive specialized training.
Regional/National Public Authorities and NGOs
Experts from environmental agencies and nature conservation NGOs will be involved in local groups, enhancing sustainable planning capacities.
Expected Impact and Sustainability
The Green Urban Resilience project is expected to generate significant cross-border and local benefits in the Black Sea Basin by:
- Reducing Urban Heat Stress: Through heat mapping, thermal walks, and pilot green-blue interventions, the project will provide tangible solutions for mitigating the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect.
- Strengthening Local Capacities: Municipalities, planning experts, and communities will acquire new knowledge and skills on climate adaptation, ensuring long-term resilience in local governance.
- Enhancing Community Engagement: Citizens will be actively involved in decision-making processes and pilot actions, fostering ownership and awareness of climate challenges.
- Policy Influence: The project will deliver Heat Resilience Strategies and a Planning Pathway Tool, guiding local authorities in integrating climate adaptation into urban planning, in line with EU Green Deal and Climate Adaptation Strategy.
- Cross-Border Knowledge Transfer: By capitalizing on EU best practices (such as “Cool Towns”), the project ensures that innovative methodologies are adapted to the Black Sea Basin’s specific context.
Sustainability
The sustainability of the project’s outcomes will be ensured through several mechanisms:
- Institutional Sustainability: The establishment of the international Urban LANDLAB at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa will continue to provide scientific expertise and services beyond the project’s lifetime.
- Policy Integration: Heat Resilience Strategies developed for Uzunköprü, Sozopol, Batumi, and Kavala will be embedded into municipal planning frameworks, ensuring long-term application.
- Community Ownership: Local initiative groups, trained during the project, will maintain citizen engagement and advocacy for green urban solutions.
- Financial and Technical Sustainability: Pilot green interventions will serve as replicable models, inspiring further investments from municipalities and external funding programs.
- Knowledge Dissemination: All project outputs, including the Planning Pathway Tool, training materials, and results, will be shared via the Climate-ADAPT platform, allowing wide transferability across the EU and neighboring regions.