On 1–2 October 2025, the city of Breda hosted the meeting of the UPSURGE project partners. During the event, participants discussed current project matters, including a detailed review of achievements and challenges within individual work packages. Over two productive days, we reviewed key project updates — including deliverables, communication efforts, and upcoming publications.

The partners had the opportunity to see the implementation of demonstration investments in the city including the impressive revitalisation of the ZUID LINIE area. Particular interest was drawn to Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) implemented around residential areas, such as community gardens and rain gardens.  A boat trip along the river offered participants the chance to view additional green areas — including riverside parks — and enjoy the many picturesque sights of this charming city.

We still have a lot of work ahead of us, as the end of the project is fast approaching. These are the last few months to showcase the project’s achievements.

The event brought together more than 50 local residents, mostly senior citizens living in the DEMO area, who took part in an outdoor group workout led by instructors from Šola zdravja. Participants had the opportunity to connect with nature, experience the nearby Nature-Based Solutions, and strengthen social ties within their community.

Such initiatives highlight how UPSURGE supports cities in creating healthier, greener, and more inclusive urban environments, where citizens play an active role in the transition towards regenerative cities.

The once-ordinary patch of land in the heart of the city has transformed into a thriving wildflower meadow, providing a haven for bees, butterflies, and residents. Thanks to everyone who helped nurture nature in this special way

Watch our team explain how boosting biodiversity can make a big difference to our local environment.

Belfast City Council, Queen’s University Belfast SNBE|Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs | EcoSeeds | Friends of Field Belfast | Friends of Belfast Botanic | Renaturing our City |

Link to video – https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14JQUs7x43G/

This episode explores how nature-based solutions (NBSs), co-creation, and living labs are reshaping our cities – and why they matter for inclusive, resilient urban environments.

One of the featured initiatives is the UPSURGE project, which is working on nature-based solutions to make cities more sustainable and livable.

Our guests:

• Darko Ferčej, E-Zavod (Slovenia)
• Laura Fregolent, University of Venice (Italy)
• Gonçalo Canto Moniz, University of Coimbra (Portugal)

Site visits: green walls, parks, and schools

Our visit took us to several impressive NbS implementations. We explored green walls and revitalised open spaces in a local social housing complex, visited the Neofite Park (Il bosco delle Neofite), a green public space funded through a unique art auction, and toured a large school complex where new green interventions are planned.

Data-driven urban planning

We also learned more about AIRQino, Prato’s environmental sensor network developed by the National Research Council of Italy, that provides real-time data on air quality. The state of the environment and air quality will be monitored before, during, and after reforestation interventions, with an ex-ante and ex-post approach able to quantify the benefits of the interventions. The AIRQino will provide open data and constitute a low-cost observational network model, which can also be replicated in other areas and contexts and can also be managed by the citizens themselves or by other associations in the area. This system plays a key role in supporting evidence-based planning and monitoring the city’s environmental health.

Tools for transformation

• The Regenerative Index, developed by project partner POR, offers a comprehensive view of urban health across seven areas, including air quality, vegetation cover, and social inclusion. Prato will be the next city to calculate this index to guide future actions and track progress.
  
• In collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast, advanced climate modelling is helping the city understand local heat dynamics and identify priority areas for intervention, essential input for the development of Prato’s Heat Action Plan.
  
• Researchers from the University of Antwerp introduced a suite of ecosystem services models that help cities like Prato assess trade-offs and optimise benefits such as carbon storage and cooling through thoughtful urban greening.
  

Financing the future

Our discussions also explored innovative funding models, including public-private partnerships, which will be key to sustaining and scaling green infrastructure projects in Prato and beyond.

Testing the UPSURGE Lighthouse/UrbanbyNature NbS services 

We had a session guided by the consultant Umberto Pernice to test and discuss the concrete NbS services (i.e. assessment & preparation, planning & design, implementation & acceleration, monitoring & reporting) that the UPSURGE Lighthouse/UrbanbyNature platform will provide in the coming months to European cities. Prato provided valuable insights based on their own insights. 

The UPSURGE team is proud to support Prato in their transition toward a greener, healthier, and more inclusive urban future. We are excited to see how these initiatives evolve and to bring these lessons to other cities across Europe.

The solar installation supports a key demonstration site within the UPSURGE framework, which seeks to explore and advance innovative approaches to climate mitigation in urban environments. By providing a reliable, standalone renewable energy source, this off-grid system contributes to Belfast’s broader sustainability objectives and the city’s transition toward a low-carbon future.

This installation not only reduces reliance on conventional energy sources but also highlights the practical applications of solar technology in supporting environmentally responsible infrastructure.

To learn more about the project and see the system in action, please view the video shared by Clover Energy Systems:
Watch on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/clover-energy-systems_we-recently-installed-a-36kwp-off-grid-solar-activity-7351166238112243746-mxXu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAM9IYoBCbgXYcO6rGlKxdqPFfiftEDAPw4

As the seasons progressed, the raingardens began to bloom in stages:

• May: The wood spurges (Euphorbia amygdaloides) emerged, with their yellowish-green umbels creating fresh bursts of color.
• June: The purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), growing nearly a meter tall, brought a vibrant splash of purple to the nutrient-rich soil.
• July: The Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’) became the clear star of the season, with its golden-yellow blooms standing out across the gardens.

In addition to these eye-catching flowers, grasses such as orange sedge (Carex testacea ‘Prairie Fire’) and tufted hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) provide a continuous backdrop, ensuring the raingardens remain visually striking year-round.

The raingardens are not only an aesthetic enhancement but also play a vital environmental role. Designed to prevent soil erosion during heavy rain, the plants’ dense roots anchor the soil, while their ability to shade and cool the soil in dry, sunny conditions creates a unique microclimate. This natural approach to stormwater management contributes to the district’s resilience against both floods and droughts.

Throughout the hot and dry summer months, the City Manager’s staff has diligently irrigated the raingardens weekly, and residents have also played an active role in maintaining these green spaces. Their contributions are greatly appreciated, and the thriving gardens stand as a testament to the power of community engagement and nature-based solutions.

Want to visit?
Explore these beautiful raingardens in the heart of Budapest by finding your nearest one on the interactive map:
Find your nearest raingarden  https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1zmGrLVbzc-qj6X5ywrua3mLF0-hI3Gc&ll=47.42492942946925%2C19.19676384999999&z=13

The session featured two insightful talks by distinguished experts:

• Dr. Tomasz Jurys, MD, delivered a lecture titled “Why Greenery Helps in Recovery,” outlining the significant role that natural environments play in the healing process.
• Dr. Tomasz Muller, with his presentation “Physical Activity in Urban Environments in the Age of Climate Change,” discussed how engaging with green spaces can support physical health and overall well-being, especially in urban settings.

Participants were introduced to a range of scientifically supported benefits of greenery, including:

• Stress Reduction: Nature has been shown to significantly reduce stress and promote relaxation.
• Blood Pressure & Breathing Regulation: Green environments help stabilize vital health functions.
• Noise Mitigation: Green spaces absorb sound, providing a quieter, more peaceful atmosphere.
• Healing Support: Exposure to nature aids in the recovery process, both physically and mentally.
• Visual Benefits: Even simply looking at greenery through a window can provide a calming effect on the mind.

This lecture emphasized the integral role nature plays in not only enhancing our quality of life but also promoting recovery and long-term health. We extend our thanks to Ochojec Hospital for their involvement and to all participants for their active engagement. Together, we are raising awareness of the importance of nature in both daily life and the healing journey.

This call, launched under the UPSURGE project, aimed to raise awareness and promote nature-based solutions in urban environments. When we announced it, we weren’t sure what kind of response to expect. Unlike previous programs—where residents received physical items like rain barrels or compost bins—this initiative invited participants to allow City Maintainer teams into their private gardens to construct functional raingardens, often requiring the use of machinery. It was a completely new approach.

To build trust and spread the word, Budapest engaged directly with residents at community events such as City Days and the Bikers’ Breakfast, and they organized a dedicated workshop for personal consultation and Q&A. Slowly but steadily, applications started to come in. In the end, we only had to turn down a few, simply due to unsuitable garden conditions.

Meanwhile, 25 public raingardens were also established across the city to serve as visible examples. Fortunately, the mild winter did not delay construction, and the rainy spring provided ideal growing conditions for the newly planted vegetation.

As the seasons progressed, we asked raingarden owners to share photos—and they’ve been doing so with pride. Many of the gardens planted in late autumn or early spring are now bursting with life. Initially dormant perennials, delayed by cool temperatures and night frosts, have since bloomed beautifully. The transformation has been striking, and the images speak for themselves.

In addition to the residential gardens, similar installations have also been created at district institutions, which can be visited during opening hours (in line with each institution’s visitor rules).

Want to explore?

Click [Click HERE for a map] to view an interactive map of all public and institutional raingardens in the district. If you’re nearby, we encourage you to stop by and take a look. In fact, public raingardens are available for adoption—a great way for residents to contribute to the upkeep of these valuable green spaces.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and helped bring more greenery and climate resilience to Budapest’s neighborhoods. Let’s keep growing—together!