Last updated: October 2021
A digital tree path was launched in Nancy in 2011. This is a path linking 24 trees equipped with QR codes (Quick Response Codes) throughout the city in order to discover them and their richness by scanning the code with a smartphone (Ref. 2). Information on the trees is also available online through the city's website as well as an Instagram account (Ref. 6).
https://www.nancy.fr/utile/nancy-la-ville-qui-cultive-la-vie/sentier-numerique-de-l-arbre-2688.html
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Grey infrastructure featuring greens
- Alley or street trees and other street vegetation
- Parks and urban forests
- Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces
Key challenges
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
- Preservation of natural heritage
Focus
Knowledge creation and awareness raising
Project objectives
Educational purposes and to honor trees heritage of the city (Nancy as a policy to preserve the trees of the city, Ref. 3)
"Discover the secrets of 24 trees in the city"(Ref. 2)
Implementation activities
Smartphone application with Qr-codes system to get information on the trees with a map creation (Ref. 4)
"By scanning the symbol on the tree, the user is connected to the internet where the botanical characteristics, the history and the medicinal properties of the tree are displayed. A sound version of this information is also available. At each point, a manual explains how to use the system and download the necessary program for free. An unprecedented geolocation guidance also helps the route" (Ref. 6).
As of August 6, 2020, Ref. 6 now directs users to an instagram account which allows citizens to "discover the remarkable trees that inhabit the city". Available at: https://www.instagram.com/arbresremarquables/ (Accessed: August 6, 2020).
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
- Citizens or community groups
- Young people and children
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Dissemination of information and education
- Citizen science
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
This innovation has been developed at the city council (from the Department Gardens and Parks), in the continuation of the exhibition "The diversity of trees of Nancy" at the House of Nature in 2010 (Ref. 6); "Developed at the city hall, this innovation is the continuation of the exhibition "The diversity of trees of Nancy" at the Maison de la Nature in 2010" (Ref. 6).
"This new means of access to information, which mainly targets the public of young adults, is in full development and is also of interest to the Office of Tourism for other applications concerning cultural and historical heritage" (Ref. 6, year 2011).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
No
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(Tree Heritage Preservation Policy (Ref. 3)
"Developed at the city hall, this innovation is the continuation of the exhibition "The diversity of trees of Nancy" at the Maison de la Nature in 2010" (Ref. 6))
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
No
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Unknown
Economic impacts
- More sustainable tourism
Socio-cultural impacts
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Improvement in people’s connection to nature
- Protection of natural heritage
- Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
- Increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging
- Increased awareness of flora and fauna as culturally and historically meaningful
- 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
1. Observatoires des villes vertes (n.d). "VILLES VERTES ET JARDINS 2.0". Infographie. Available at: Source link (Accessed: August 6, 2020).
2. Definancy (2016). "Nancy : n°1 des villes vertes 2.0". defigrandesecoles. Source link. Available at: Source link (Website not available in 2020).
3. Ville de Nancy (n.d). "La Charte de l'Arbre". online brochure. Available at: Source link (Accessed: August 6, 2020).
4. Nancy (n.d). Smartphone main page "Sentier de l'Arbre". Available at: Source link (Accessed: August 6, 2020).
5. Google map (n.d). "Sentier Numérique de l'Arbre". Available at: Source link (Accessed: August 6, 2020).
6. NancyMag (2011). Nature: "Sur le sentier (numérique) de l’arbre". Available at: Source link (Accessed: August 6, 2020).
2. Definancy (2016). "Nancy : n°1 des villes vertes 2.0". defigrandesecoles. Source link. Available at: Source link (Website not available in 2020).
3. Ville de Nancy (n.d). "La Charte de l'Arbre". online brochure. Available at: Source link (Accessed: August 6, 2020).
4. Nancy (n.d). Smartphone main page "Sentier de l'Arbre". Available at: Source link (Accessed: August 6, 2020).
5. Google map (n.d). "Sentier Numérique de l'Arbre". Available at: Source link (Accessed: August 6, 2020).
6. NancyMag (2011). Nature: "Sur le sentier (numérique) de l’arbre". Available at: Source link (Accessed: August 6, 2020).