Last updated: October 2021
This citizen-based initiative takes place in the heart of the city, in between the streets Montesano, San Michele, Carcaci, Sangiuliano. The project is the result of a collaboration among residents, artists and shop owners who are planning the regeneration of the area, which is currently in a state of decay. In particular, they realize green interventions (biological horticulture gardens, 100 new plantations) in the streets and on the buildings, to make the area more liveable and attractive for tourism. The initiative is fully supported by the municipality, who implemented the public areas to implement the interventions. (Ref.1.) This NBS has been an annual event, happening since 2013 (Ref. 2).
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Nature on buildings (external)
- Balcony greens
- Grey infrastructure featuring greens
- Alley or street trees and other street vegetation
- Community gardens and allotments
- Community gardens
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Regulation of built environment
- Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Enabling opportunities for physical activity
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Tourism support
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Transformation of previously derelict areas
Project objectives
The goal of the project is to renew an important district in Catania, where lots of shops and activities take place. With the collaboration of the municipality, private companies and designers, the entire area experiences the implementation of green areas and small plantations in the streets and on buildings. This means increasing the attractiveness of the area (economic activity will benefit), and at the same time increases the well being of residents and workers (Ref.1.)
Implementation activities
The intervention was born with a co-planning process of different stakeholders, including the municipality, shop owners, designers and volunteers. Once the intervention was identified, the association PromoVerde (national agency) started to plan the activities and to involve other participants, such as the local Committee of the area formed by residents willing to renew the area. (Ref.2.)
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- National government
- Non-government organisation/civil society
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
PromoVerde is a non-profit agency at national level which coordinates the activity of professionals, agencies and private sector to promote at the local level a new relationship with nature and urban environment. They created and implemented the initiative, and are responsible to coordinate the activities.
Shop owners, designers = collaborate with PromoVerde to implement the initiative, and more in practice to locate the plants and green areas;
Citizens = volunteers help in works;
Local committee = citizen-based initiative which is involved in the project (Ref. 1&2).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(Interventions at urban level for the neighbourhoods in Catania (and for sustainable urban regeneration in general) are regulated by the "Strategia urbana di sviluppo sostenibile" (Urban strategy for sustainable development) (Ref.3.))
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO)
- Private Foundation/Trust
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of land
- Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
- Private sector (businesses, financial institution)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Increased conversion of degraded land or soil
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Increased opportunities for social interaction
- Health and wellbeing
- Improved physical health
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Education
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
Ref.1. iEtna (2014). Verde cittadino e Foreste Urbane. Parte da Catania la “Primavera Siciliana”. Available at Source link (Accessed 20-6-2020)
Ref.2. Nemeton (2013). IN PRIMAVERA LA SICILIA È VERDE, A PALERMO CATANIA, CALTAGIRONE, DAL 21 AL 24 MARZO. Available at Source link (Accessed 20-6-2020)
Ref.2. Nemeton (2013). IN PRIMAVERA LA SICILIA È VERDE, A PALERMO CATANIA, CALTAGIRONE, DAL 21 AL 24 MARZO. Available at Source link (Accessed 20-6-2020)