City Parks Matter - a new approach to urban greenery management in Ivano-Frankivsk and Rzeszów

The “ParksMatter” project addresses a common challenge on the Programme area: lack of joint tools for effective green infrastructure management oriented on natural heritage protection from environmental and anthropogenic risks. It is driven by the pressing need to develop urban green zones while fostering greater citizen engagement in nature preservation. Additionally, raising environmental awareness and coordinating efforts for biodiversity protection are common challenges that the project aims to tackle, contributing to more resilient and sustainable cities in the face of climate change and urban growth. The project is focused both on equipping recreational areas and capacity building regarding sustainable greenery use. Partners seek to develop a Strategic plan for urban greenery management in Ivano-Frankivsk (IF) and Rzeszów (RZE), which will create new standards, recommendations, and approaches for key actors in the operational and strategic management of the project's target areas. The project's overall objective “To develop a new sustainable approach to urban greenery management with enhanced expert competencies and increased environmental awareness of population on the cross-border region” is directly related to priority 1. Environment and the specific objective RSO 2. 7. “Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution” of the Programme. Its accomplishment will introduce a uniform document with an opportunity for multiplication by all green zone managers, establish a network of subject-matter experts, and increase the level of environmental consciousness of the cross-border region population. The project's outcomes comprise three key aspects. The first is a joint document - Strategic plan for urban greenery management in Ivano-Frankivsk and Rzeszów, incorporating standards and solutions for urban greening, biodiversity, and ecosystem protection. It will serve as a model for enhancing green infrastructure, promoting climate change adaptation strategies through nature-based solutions (NBS), and fostering transferability to other European cities. The project will establish a network of experts well-versed in EU best practices, influencing decisions on green spaces. The second is that the planned activities will raise environmental awareness among residents, highlighting nature protection's importance and the value of urban green zones. The goal is to strengthen cities against future challenges, like climate change, by sharing knowledge about nature protection and sustainable urban greenery use. Project's positive impact will extend to a diverse range of beneficiaries, encompassing residents, particularly disadvantaged groups, families, educational institutions, local authorities, active lifestyle enthusiasts, and the wider PL-UA borderland community. Thirdly, the infrastructure of two urban parks - Molodizhnyi park in IF and Wladyslaw Szafer's Park on the estate Słocina in Rzeszów - as pilot zones for implementation of new developed approach will be improved. This component will increase the amount of green infrastructure and allow obtaining the maximum number of social and ecosystem services from it. Project's cross-border approach is essential due to common challenges that demand joint solutions. It will allow to jointly develop and implement new approach in planning, management, and sustainable use of green infrastructure. By developing a strategic plan and improving infrastructure, both cities will enhance biodiversity protection, recreation opportunities, and environmental consciousness. The project's capacity-building activities introduce practical knowledge and best practices and create a basis for further long-term cooperation between IF and RZE. The cross-border partnership facilitates knowledge exchange, innovative planning, and transnational networking, ensuring widespread acceptance and sustainable solutions.