Objectives
LivableCities is a European project bringing together 13 partners. Six of these are North-West European (NWE) cities, while the other seven partners, including Ghent University, are partners from science, practice, education and civil society. Unsustainable urban development has led to air pollution, climate vulnerability, and is threatening biodiversity worldwide. In many cities, blue-green infrastructure (BGI) has already been implemented to mitigate these issues. However, limited attention has been given to so-called “challenging spaces”. The overall objective of LivableCities is to increase BGI by “re-greening” challenging spaces in six cities across NWE and to (re)connect them to BGI networks to restore biodiversity, improve air quality and enhance climate resilience.
To achieve this, pilot studies will be carried out in the partner cities, where different BGI strategies will be implemented in real urban contexts. At the same time, the project partners will co-develop a joint strategy and action planning framework to guide the planning, implementation, maintenance and monitoring of these strategies. Their impacts on biodiversity, air quality and climate resilience will be systematically assessed, providing a strong basis for evidence-based decision-making. These insights will be translated into practical tools and guidance to support stakeholders in planning, implementing and maintaining BGI.
UGent will primarily focus on the biodiversity aspects of the project. We will provide scientifically robust insights into the ecological benefits of BGI and their integration into urban and regional planning frameworks. We will use advanced ecological modelling, spatial analyses, and fieldwork to assess BGI’s contributions to local fauna and flora, delivering measurable impacts on ecosystem services. The current state of biodiversity will be documented through in situ assessments and coordination with partners. By integrating citizen science data, UGent will derive accurate indicators reflecting urban ecological status. These assessments will be guided by spatial and network principles to deepen understanding of habitat connectivity and functionality. Beyond evaluation, we will integrate BGI into local and regional biodiversity planning. Using virtual species and landscape graph models, movement potential and functional connectivity across urban green networks will be simulated in all participating cities. This task enables partner cities to evaluate the system-level role of BGI in sustaining ecological flows, guiding investment in interventions that strengthen urban ecosystem networks. By addressing both urban and surrounding natural areas, and co-creating with other knowledge partners, UGent ensures BGI fosters resilient, interconnected ecosystems with broad benefits for biodiversity, air quality, and climate resilience.
Partners of the project:
- The pilot cities: City of Landau in der Pfalz, City of Strasbourg, Cork city Council, City of Antwerp, City of Saarlouis, and City of Utrecht
- IZES gGmbH
- BUILDERS Engineering school
- Ministry of Education, Children & Youth/ Dept. Vocational Education & Training (SFP)
- Plant & City
- Ghent University
- Afpa (National agency for vocational and educational training of adults)
- University of Kaiserslautern – Landau
Funding
The LivableCities project has been selected as part of the North-West Europe Interreg Programme 2021-2027, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
- Total project budget: €8 247 804
- ERDF funds (60%): €4 948 682
Project duration
- Project start date: 18 November 2025
- Project end date: 30 June 2029
