Bringing back nature to the city
On 31 May and 1 June 2023, join us in Ghent to meet with peers and policymakers and discuss bringing back nature to the city.
What will it be about?
In 2022, the EU proposed the Nature Restoration Law to restore damaged EU ecosystems from wetlands, rivers, and forests, to urban environments and to bring nature back across Europe.
This should help reverse the decline of pollinator populations, achieve no net loss of green urban spaces and a minimum of 10% tree canopy cover in every European city, town, and suburb.
This should also help achieve a net gain of green space integrated into buildings and infrastructure, as well as an overall increase in biodiversity and a positive trend for forest ecosystems.
What you can expect
Our thematic experts Astrid Severin and Magda Michalikova be your guides to discovering the topic of bringing back nature to cities.
Within the urban context of the City of Ghent and in line with the European aspirations for nature restoration, you will learn during this two-day event how to:
- Restore urban nature
- Increase urban biodiversity
- Uncover urban rivers
To learn more about the topic, explore the agenda.
Relevant materials
Preserving and restoring biodiversity
Explore this policy brief to discover what role do public authorities across Europe play in the development of a sustainable and low-carbon economy, and what transformations are needed in every sector and area of public life.
Natural and cultural heritage in coastal regions
Explore this policy brief to learn about EU initiatives that local and regional authorities can refer to for improving their management of cultural and natural heritage on coasts, in compliance with the EU Directives.
Rivers and wetlands: drivers of sustainable regional development
Read this policy brief and get an overview of how the current EU policy framework may guide and support local and regional authorities in the implementation of river and wetland restoration measures.
Natural and cultural heritage in coastal regions
Explore the workshop follow-up brief on Natural and cultural heritage in coastal regions, held in Cagnes-sur-Mer, France on 27 October.
Turn the lights off: mitigating the impact of artificial light
Light pollution is a global issue that negatively impacts humans and animals alike. Read our article to learn how to protect bats and other species from the impact of light pollution!
The return of wild salmon
Read our latest story about the wild salmon rebuilding project and the impact it has made.
Lobzy Park: nature based solutions for river restoration
In this article you can read about how restoration contributes to rivers' natural capacity to retain water and the example of Lobzy Park.
Greener and better prepared: cities and regions in the new EU Climate Adaptation Strategy
Read our article on the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change and discover highly replicable good practices can that inspire the Strategy's implementation
EU joins Global Biodiversity Framework
In this article learn about the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and how it will help accelerate ambitious policies around the world and mobilise financing for biodiversity.
Bringing back nature across Europe
On 22 June 2022, the European Commission adopted the proposal for a Nature Restoration Law, the first-ever legislation that targets the restoration of Europe’s nature. Read our article and find out more about this long-awaited proposal!
Study visit: Captain Zeppos park
Participants to the 'Bringing back nature to city' workshop will benefit from a study visit to Captain Zeppos park.