{"id":29249,"date":"2023-01-26T10:27:04","date_gmt":"2023-01-26T10:27:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=29249"},"modified":"2023-01-26T10:27:04","modified_gmt":"2023-01-26T10:27:04","slug":"urban-releaf-project-to-optimise-urban-green-spaces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/urban-releaf-project-to-optimise-urban-green-spaces\/29249\/","title":{"rendered":"Urban ReLeaf project to optimise urban green spaces"},"content":{"rendered":"
The project will pioneer a citizen-powered data ecosystem to drive climate change adaption, develop green infrastructure, and plan the most optimal way to design urban green spaces. The endeavour could significantly mitigate the effects of global warming, and rising air pollution, and provide health benefits to citizens.<\/p>\n
The project is spearheaded by Inian Moorthy and Gerid Hager from the IIASA Novel Data Ecosystems for Sustainability (NODES). The research group is comprised of academic and private sector partners, in addition to six cities, including Athens, Cascais, Dundee, Mannheim, Riga, and Utrecht.<\/p>\n
Inian Moorthy said: \u201cOur hope is to support just transitions for communities to address the changing climate of urban environments and green space planning in a more inclusive way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Research suggests that 83.7% of Europe\u2019s population will live in cities by 2050. This is a stark increase from the 72% estimated in 2015. The reasons for this projected increase are quite simple; living in cities often provides a range of benefits compared to living in rural areas, such as lucrative job opportunities and infrastructure.<\/p>\n
However, what is the cost of these benefits? Despite these opportunities, those who live in cities are at an increased risk of being exposed to harmful levels of air pollution<\/a> and the heat island effect that is becoming progressively severe because of climate change. These not only pose threats to the environment but also to human health.<\/p>\n Boosting urban green spaces, tree planting, and other nature-based solutions is an effective method to mitigate these effects, helping to cool the climate, reduce air pollution, and improve mental and physical well-being.<\/p>\n