Project No. BGMK0300060 "Transforming of urban sites with Green infrastructures" (EcoScape)

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Priority / Specific objective:

Priority 1 "Greener Border Region"

RSO2.7 "Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution"

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Partners:

LP: Municipality of Gotse Delchev

PP2: Municipality of Stip

PP3: Centre for development of the East planning region

Project summary:

EcoScape project’s overall objective is to promote and facilitate the adoption of environmentally friendly solutions within urban areas across the cross-border region establishing an environment conducive to increased greenery in urban and peri-urban zones within the cross-border region and facilitate the transition towards sustainable practices

The benefits of the project for the cross-border region can be defined in the following important aspects: 1. Raising public awareness of the green infrastructure and green transition topic; 2. Develop skills and knowledge of the representatives of the municipalities, regional authorities, public municipal enterprises, and other stakeholders in the field of green infrastructure and green transition; 3. Climate change resilience; 4. Preparation of the municipalities and other stakeholders for future green infrastructure and green transition-related challenges; 5. Improvement of quality of air and quality of life in the tackled cities on both sides of the border.

Project investment activities in Municipality of Gotse Delchev include: Construction of green infrastructure on three public properties an area of 0,775 ha,  new greenery (low and high) consisting of tall deciduous trees, decorated with flower arrangements and low-stemmed ornamental plants, one pocket park, solar lighting; Improvement and reconstruction of the green areas - it is planned that the existing species composition of the green vegetation will be species tolerant of pollution of the air and high urban temperatures; Replacement of the existing pavements with new permeable natural materials - a permeable pavement made of granite paving  and parking elements of a grass joint; Replacement of the lighting with energy-saving lighting. The location of the investment is Gotse Delchev, Green spaces (parks) situated around of the House of Culture.

Project investment activities in Municipality of Shtip include: Improvement of 3 sites - "8th of November" park, "Joben Park" and "Medicinski" park in the city of Shtip - transformation of urban spaces with green infrastructure, landscaping and a hydro system for the green areas; installation of urban furniture. It is planned to plant new greenery (low and high), consisting of tall deciduous trees, decorated with flower arrangements and low-stemmed decorative evergreen plants. Total area covered is 1,135 ha in the central city area.

Apart from introducing green infrastructure to the region main outputs of the project will be: 

1. Joint Green infrastructure strategy will be developed to support Municipalities of Gotse Delchev and Stip in providing a framework for local and regional policies for further development of green infrastructure. As a fundamental part of the strategy, an electronic database (EBD) for green areas and street vegetation will  be created, which will allow the maintenance of up-to-date information regarding green areas and long-lasting vegetation and street vegetation in the administrative boundaries of the urban areas;

2. Action plan developed to ensure that green infrastructure is appropriately protected, managed and enhanced with new areas created where appropriate within each city; 

3. Joint green cities concept designed and promoted through on-line tool; 

4. Capacity-building measures for relevant stakeholders, creating a foundation for development of green infrastructure in the region.

    

Result indicators: 

RCR95 Population having access to new or improved green infrastructure - 60 047 persons

RCR104 Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations - 1,00 solution

Program output indicator: 

RCO36 Green infrastructure supported for other purposes than adaptation to climate change: 1,91 ha