Urban nature and green spaces

Apply by answering five questions below.

We invite city planners, landscape architects, interaction designers, sustainable drainage system developers, biologists with knowledge of urban biodiversity, behavioral designers, and producers of green outdoor furniture, and outdoor urban spaces etc. to submit your take on commercial and scalable solutions which make our cities healthier, greener and with room for all.

During the pandemic we experienced many people seeking towards nature and there was an increased demand for excursions and experiences in our common nature. At the same time urban spaces, and especially the green spaces were used more frequently. Because of this we for example experience one directional passage around lakes. Studies show that during the pandemic streets of Helsinki with a high level of greenery were used more than other streets. At the same time people were seeking towards summer house areas and access to nature. During the pandemic the importance of nature for our well-being was clarified and there is a need to ensure better access to nature by making our urban environment healthier, greener and with room for all.

By increasing the share of urban nature and green urban spaces there is a potential to contribute to biodiversity whilst it becomes healthier to live in the city. For example, a facade and balcony can become a vertical habitat that contributes to air quality, biodiversity and where the scent of flowers are enjoyable for the residents, neighbors, visitors, birds, bees, and butterflies. Despite all advantages in investing in greener urban spaces it can be a challenge financing this development. Therefore, we believe that there is a need for greener elements with added value, that for instance contribute to rainwater management and energy supply.

Therefore, we wish to support solutions that contribute to the development of healthier and greener urban environments, both large and small, with room for everyone. It must be scalable solutions that offer multiple values other than greening the city which create attractive cities also in post pandemic times.

The type of solutions we are looking for:

• New ways of integrating urban nature in existing community spaces
• Solutions which support urban nature and places to meet in the ecotone between buildings and city spaces
• Solutions which support the connection between indoor and outdoor and create spaces to meet via flexible zones
• Solutions based on biophilic design and increase the connection to nature both indoors and outdoors
• Green solutions with added value e.g., climate adaption and energy supply
• Financing models to create more urban nature/greening in the city