Network meeting Learning Agenda Green in and around the City (GIOS)
On the road to a greener Netherlands, professionals, policymakers and experts from across the country gathered in Utrecht last week for the networking meeting of the Learning Agenda Green in and around the City (GIOS). During this inspiring day, the central question was: how do we ensure more and better green spaces in our cities and villages?
Last week, the national GIOS Network met again in Utrecht to discuss the “why”, “what” and “how” of more greenery in and around the city.
We started with presentations by the working groups on their initial research insights:
Main green structure: How can we ensure that municipal green structure plans move from the drawing board to implementation?
Pilots, practical testing and step-by-step plan: What can we learn from municipalities that have already taken steps with a baseline measurement, pilots and practical testing of GIOS 1.0?
Assurance and guidance on private greenery: Why is it important to take the greenery challenge into account in spatial considerations and how can you ensure greenery legally and procedurally? What roles and instruments are available to municipalities to guide private greenery?
Integration of the Tree Standard: Tree crown volume and tree crown coverage are important to clarify for the implementation of the Tree Standard in the municipality. How does the GIOS Guide relate to the Tree Standard and how can you implement the Tree Standard locally in a step-by-step, ambitious and realistic manner?
During the break, there was time for networking and further discussion. In the second part of the meeting, participants could choose between substantive breakout sessions on topics such as the Tree Standard and the Environment Act by the Tree Standards Institute. An explanation of how a tree influences every task and how every task relates to the tree. Did you know that large trees with a large crown volume have the most positive impact on the living environment? And that sufficient space for tree roots is important for ecosystem services in both the topsoil and the subsoil?
Finally, Bart van Eijk from the municipality of Eindhoven talked about practical experiences with the Climate Challenge Calculation Tool. In this interactive session, we first considered what exactly the Climate Challenge Calculation Tool is and what it contains. We then discussed why this tool was developed and why it is important to use it, based on an example case study. Everyone was very impressed with the great steps that the municipality of Eindhoven has already taken in its approach to the green-blue challenge!
Would you like to know more about the GIOS 1.0 Guide or the network? Please contact Sander van der Wal.
