Artikel

Go Green

Resilient Optimal Urban natural, Technological and Environmental Solutions

A natural way to foster urban mental health and well-being: How can nature-based solutions contribute to health? The EU-funded GoGreenRoutes project will answer this question. Its transdisciplinary consortium will pioneer a unique approach to nature-based solutions by creating green corridors and cultivating a positive human-nature relationship. The project’s goal is to position European citizens as world ambassadors of urban sustainability. Advancing mental health and well-being, the project's components will focus on nature-based enterprise, sustainable physical activity and digital, cultural and knowledge innovation. A knowledge ecosystem with urban communities will raise awareness about links between human and environmental health.

Objective

The objective of GOGREEN ROUTES is to position European cities as world ambassadors of urban sustainability. Our inspirational approach shifts the focus of NBS towards the co-benefits to multidimensional health-termed 360-Health. GOGREEN ROUTES transdisciplinary consortium will pioneer a unique approach augmenting NBS, urban design with the goal of fostering a positive human-nature relationship, flourishing nature connectedness and promoting citizen engagement through digital, educational and behavioural innovation. GOGREEN ROUTES components focus on nature-based enterprise (GROW), sustainable physical activity (MOVE), digital, cultural (FEEL) and knowledge innovation (KNOW). GOGREEN ROUTES fosters mental health and well-being by optimising human-nature interactions for all citizens.

These innovations will increase the uptake and acceptability of NBS across “Cultivating Cities” (Burgas, Lahti, Limerick, Tallinn, Umea & Versailles), “Seed Cities” (Munich, Murcia region & Malta) and a “Cross-Pollination Network: (Beijing, Mexico, & Tblisi). An urban well-being lab, based on the living lab methodology will couple participatory approaches with the Big Data analyses. To advance knowledge, best practice and dissemination GOGREEN ROUTES will cluster with H2020 projects including those involving our partners (e.g. proGIreg, bluehealth2020, Connecting Nature). In addition, linking all open-sourced data to the OPPLA and Think Nature Hubs, delivering online resource (e.g. Urban 360-Health Toolkit, MOOC’s) and empowering citizens in an iterative process of co-creation will ensure perpetuation beyond the end of the project. This novel approach, coupled with the high capacity of the consortium, makes GOGREEN ROUTES an exciting prospect.

Source: GO GREEN ROUTES. - European Commission.

Afbeelding credits

Icon afbeelding: Go Green Routes logo