The demo site along the Pekrski Creek in Maribor, established within the European project UPSURGE, is increasingly becoming a place where nature and knowledge come together. In addition to contributing to climate change adaptation and improving the quality of life in the area, it also offers new opportunities for environmental education and outdoor learning. The…

The average life expectancy in Hungary is currently around 73 years for men and 79 years for women, leaving a relatively large group of single older women who are significantly less likely to be able to obtain information and get involved in projects that shape their environment. The PlaceLab was designed to help alleviate the…

On 10 February 2026 in Katowice, Poland, the UPSURGE consortium will host its Final Conference, Guiding Cities to Deliver Regenerative Urban Transformation, showcasing the innovations, tools, best practices, and lessons learned developed throughout the project to accelerate regenerative urban transformation across European cities. Organised as hybrid, the event will bring together policymakers, urban practitioners, researchers,…

Maximise the Impact of Your Urban Green Investments The global movement towards resilient cities is accelerating, with Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)—from green roofs to urban forests—emerging as powerful allies against climate change, pollution, and urban heat. But for municipalities making these vital investments, a critical question remains: how do you prove their worth and ensure they…

At the demo site along the Pekrski Creek in Maribor, established within the European project UPSURGE, it is becoming increasingly clear how nature-based solutions can connect the community and encourage collaboration among residents and local organisations. In recent months, trees and shrubs have been planted at the site, marking the first step towards creating a…

In complex urban transformation projects such as UPSURGE, the active involvement of diverse stakeholders is not just an added value – it is the foundation of sustainable urban transformation. Cities are living systems shaped by people, policies, and environments. To create solutions that are both innovative and sustainable, all these perspectives must be heard and…

Cities are growing fast – and with them, the pressure on people’s health and everyday life. More traffic, sealed surfaces, noise, and limited access to nature all contribute to stress, poorer air quality, and a sense of disconnection from the environment. The H2020 project UPSURGE explores how nature-based solutions (NBS) can counteract these effects and…

Patras, Greece’s third-largest city and a key port in the Peloponnese, faces escalating urban challenges from climate change, including heatwaves, flooding, and social inequities in deprived neighborhoods. As a partner in the EU-funded UPSURGE project (2021–2025), Patras is actively piloting Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to enhance urban resilience. UPSURGE focuses on upscaling NBS through citizen science,…

As part of the Smart City Expo World Congress, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability will officially launch the UrbanByNature Platform (formerly known as Lighthouse), a new hub designed to support cities in advancing Nature-based Solutions (NbS). To celebrate this milestone, ICLEI will host a networking event at the ICLEI Stand on 5 November at…

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which has been marked for many years by the Europa Donna Slovenia Association. This year, the Podravje branch marked Pink October with a walk along the Pekrski potok stream, where participants were accompanied by posters with information on the importance of prevention, early detection of the disease, and women’s…