Horticultural Development and Marketing specialist with Bord Bia, Michal Slawski explains why we should be making Irish cities greener
Bord Bia, working hand-in-hand with the Irish Hardy Nursery Stock Association and the IFA aims to encourage the “greening” of Ireland’s cities. Green Cities for a Sustainable Europe was launched by the ENA (European Nurserystock Association) and nursery organisations in 2018 and currently takes place in Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, England, France, Germany and The Netherlands.
Public green space has a positive effect on biodiversity, climate, wellness and air quality. This ensures that cities are becoming better places to live and work. ‘Green Cities For a Sustainable Europe´ is a platform that promotes the greening of public spaces by providing innovative ideas and information based on scientific research, and technical expertise.
The campaign is part of the EU promotion programme which provides 80% of the funding. Every year in April the EU accepts applications for funding in a competitive process. Ireland will be part of a consortium of 13 European countries seeking to run the campaign for another three years.
Its activities address certain themes which include health, climate, the economy, biodiversity and social cohesion.
WELLBEING
A green environment improves the quality of life. Patients recover much faster in a green environment, residents of green neighbourhoods make less use of healthcare facilities, and employees of companies surrounded by green feel much happier. In addition, a city park encourages people to exercise and relax there, which will improve their health.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Green trees and plants will help mitigate climate change, both on a global and on a local scale. Climate change will cause extreme heat and drought, alternated with excessive rainfall. This will make high demands on the urban environment. Trees and plants in a city can provide a cooling effect in case of a heatwave. In the case of extreme rainfall, a planted soil will have a better water storage capacity than asphalt and concrete.
BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity represents the degree of the variety of plants and animals. The various species on our earth keep nature balanced. Many different plants, trees and shrubs in the city will stimulate biodiversity. The more variation in vegetation, the more variation in animal life it will attract. A wide range of pollinating insects and many different plants will be a food source for birds and other animals. Pollinating insects are an important link in ecosystems. Green Cities is a business-to-business campaign, disseminating information to influential people in the target audience.
The three main activities will be as follows:
● Targeted seminars about the green city initiative, aimed at target audience including policymakers, city planners, city decision-makers, landscape architects and developers.
● Public relations and social media will spread the benefits of greening public spaces.
● A website will act as a repository for research, advice and resources.
For more information about the Green Cities project, visit their website: https://www.thegreencity.eu ✽
 MICHAL SLAWSKI is a development and marketing specialist in the horticultural department of Bord Bia, with responsibility for mushrooms, fruit and protected crops. He has been with Bord Bia for more than 10 years and has a Masters in Project Finance & Venture Management from NUIM. |
