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BEGIN - Blue Green Infrastructures through Social Innovation

REGIOSTARS Public Choice Award winner 2021

REGIOSTARS Award nominee 2020

Background

Cities are particularly susceptible to the negative impacts of flooding, urban heat islands, poor air quality, and other risks associated with more extreme weather conditions. In addition to conventional grey infrastructure, we need blue-green infrastructure (BGI), e.g.: green corridors, permeable paving, bio-swales, rainwater harvesting. BGI can better deal with extreme weather events, foster ecosystem services and increase the liveability of cities in the North Sea Region. BGI’s holistic approach has viable environmental, social and economic benefits for city residents.

Objective

The overall objective of BEGIN is to demonstrate at target sites how cities can improve climate resilience with Blue Green Infrastructure involving stakeholders in a value-based decision- making process to overcome its current implementation barriers.

Partnership of 6 NSR countries

The Netherlands: City of Dordrecht; IHE Delft; Erasmus University of Rotterdam

Belgium: City of Antwerp; City of Ghent

Germany: Agency for Roads Bridges and Waters, Hamburg; Hamburg University of Technology

United Kingdom: Construction Industry Research Information Association (CIRIA), City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Kent County Council, Aberdeen City Council, Enfield, Royal College of Arts, University of Sheffield

Sweden: City of Gothenburg

Norway: City of Bergen