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.

Home Contact Sitemap Disclaimer

e-glossary

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

L

Landscape

“Landscape” means an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors. (EN) «Paysage» désigne une partie de territoire telle que perçue par les populations, dont le caractère résulte de l'action de facteurs naturels et/ou humains et de leurs interrelations. (FR) "Landschaft" ist ein Gebiet, wie es vom Menschen wahrgenommen wird, dessen Charakter das Ergebnis der Wirkung und Wechselwirkung von natürlichen und/oder menschlichen Faktoren ist (DE) “Paesaggio” designa una determinata parte di territorio, così come è percepita dalle popolazioni, il cui carattere deriva dall'azione di fattori naturali e/o umani e dalle loro interrelazioni. (IT) Izraz »krajina« pomeni območje, kot ga zaznavajo ljudje in katerega značilnosti so plod delovanja in medsebojnega vplivanja naravnih in/ali človeških dejavnikov. (SL) “Ландшафт” означава възприемана от сетивата и мисълта на човека територия, характерът на която е резултат от действието на природни и/или човешки фактори и на техните взаимодействия. (BG)
Source:
http://www.coe.int/t/f/coop%E9ration_culturelle/environnement/paysage/textes_fondamentaux/01_TextesConvention.asp#TopOfPage
User: [Maria Samardjieva]

Landscape Architecture (LA)

LA is a professional activity and an academic discipline. It encompasses the fields of landscape planning, management and design in urban and rural areas at the local and regional level. It is concerned with the conservation and enhancement of the landscape and its associated values for the benefit of current and future generations – from the planning of national parks to the detailed design of small outdoor spaces…with the management of urban open space and the reclamation of derelict land…
Source:
European Council of Landscape Architecture Schoolshttp://www.eclas.org/2006/content/landscape-architecture/landscape-architecture_main.php
User: [Maria Samardjieva]

Liveability

Liveability is: Government funding scheme for Local Authorities to improve towns and cities by tackling quality of life in terms of public and community space. Focuses upon the attractiveness of an area and encourages people to use outdoor facilities. Takes a ‘cleaner, greener, safer’ approach to streets, parks, open spaces, sports and play facilities, town centers and shopping areas.
Source:
http://www.ascskills.org.uk/pages/glossary/term/liveability
User: [Maria Samardjieva]

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs)

LNRs are for both people and wildlife. They are places with wildlife or geological features that are of special interest locally. They offer people special opportunities to study or learn about nature or to enjoy it. They should be normally greater than 2ha, capable of being managed with the conservation of nature and/or the maintenance of special opportunities for study, research or enjoyment of nature as the priority concern.
Source:
http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/lnr/office.htm
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 .