The Greenkeys projects

The problem of abandoned and devalued urban areas is common among many European cities. The environmental, economic and social decline, which these areas often entail, requires rapid reconsideration and improvements as the lowering of the quality of life may not only spill over to adjacent neighbourhoods, but also the area itself does not need to be relinquished.

The cities are facing difficulties in finding an adequate solution to the main problem of how to apply methods of sustainable rehabilitation to redevelop and enhance the areas in the long term.

The European Commission has started the EU Community Initiative INTERREG III B CADSES (2005-2008), which focuses on increasing the sustainability of cities by initialising the endowment of green spaces. By means of that, local residents and medium-sized enterprises would benefit immediately, but the scientific and practical experiences gained during the projects are equally important as they will promote transnational cooperation in Europe and bring about further projects.

The key question posed by the GreenKeys project is: What are the tools and methods necessary for increasing the sustainability of urban areas by adding green spaces, given the fact that ecological, social and economical conditions are often mutually dependent?
Greenkeys focuses on the improvement of urban green spaces as a step towards more sustainable cities. The three main objectives are

  1. to provide incentives for structural changes in cities by offering opportunities for the enhancement of green spaces. Its 12 partner cities will, together with local stakeholders, develop a strategic approach for the pilot projects to create new or upgrade existing green areas to achieve more accessibility, social and recreational values and ecological efficiency. By the involvement of local activists, the political attention to the benefits of green spaces to urban environments will be increased. GreenKeys will support the implementation/evaluation of pilot projects in order
  2. to develop a “Pool of Green Strategies” (instruments, methods, concepts and good examples) based on the experiences being made to meet the demands of future needs and
  3. to use the synergies to promote the transfer of knowledge by a transnational network and, thus, foster the exchange of the particular national experiences.

In pursuing these goals, GreenKeys brings together 12 cities in 7 countries, 8 scientific supporters, external experts, design studios and NGOs, which participate through their own networks.

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e-glossary

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G

Green Infrastucture (GI)

GI is a term that describes the natural environment resource that supports people and wildlife. It comprises the network of protected sites, nature reserves, green spaces (including local parks, sports grounds, cemeteries, gardens, allotments, commons), linkages (including river and canal corridors and floodplains, roadside verges, hedges, railway embankments), ecologically functional landscapes and the wider countryside. GI can deliver essential ecological services.
Source:
Local Authority Services and Biodiverity. Your Statutory Obligations. The Wildlife Trusts. Leaflet (8 p.). www.wildlifetrusts.org
User: [Maria Samardjieva]

Green space strategy

Green space strategy sets out a collective vision for improved green spaces, which meet community needs and provides a reference point for allocating resources and detailed plans of action.
Source:
Green Space Strategies: Making the most of your parks and green spaces, January 2004
User: [Carlos Smaniotto]

Greenfield development

Development that takes place on land that has never previously been developed. Often contested because of the rapidly decreasing amount of greenfield land.
Source:
http://www.ascskills.org.uk/pages/glossary/term/greenfield-development
User: [Maria Samardjieva]

Greenspace - green space

Publically accessible land which is environmentally pleasant from a human point of view, including parks, footpaths, urban squares, and pedestrian streets.
Source:
Towards a Green Strategy for London, May 2001
User: [Carlos Smaniotto]

Greenway

A greenway is a network of largely off-highway routes connecting people to facilities and open spaces in and around towns, cities and the countryside. They are for shared use by people of all abilities on foot, bike or horseback, for commuting, play or leisure. Greenways link to other networks for non-motorised users - such as the National Cycle Network, towpaths beside inland waterways, National Trails and other rights of way.
Source:
http://www.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/Recreation/Greenways/index.asp
User: [Maria Samardjieva]

What is the e-glossary?

The e-glossary is a free, collaboratively written collection of words or phrases covering the issues of green spaces development and urban sustainability in the broadest sense. Anyone who is within the GreenKeys network can edit the e-glossary. Its purpose is to create common definitions and make them available as a quick reference for both the public and members of GreenKeys.

Do you have a term or phrase that has to be clarified? It’s easy to add a contribution to our e-glossary. Just fill in the form provided
 here .