Project title
Life + A_GreeNet

Beneficiaries

Coordinating beneficiary:
Regione Abruzzo
Associated beneficiaries:
Comune di Silvi
Comune di Ancona
Comune di Pescara
City of San Benedetto del Tronto
Legambiente Onlus
Res Agraria srl
University of Camerino

Expected start date: 01/10/2021
Expected end date: 30/09/2025

Project objectives
The  objective of the LIFE + A_GreeNet project is to adapt to the rising
temperatures and heat waves the City of the Middle Adriatic (340936
inhabitants), including the coastal municipalities of Ancona and San Benedetto
del Tronto (Marche Region), the Temporary Association (ATSTE) “Città della
Costa” (City of the Coast) – municipalities of Martinsicuro, Alba Adriatica,
Tortoreto, Giulianova, Roseto, Pineto and Silvi (lead partner) – and Pescara
(Abruzzo Region). The impacts of high temperatures on the economy, the
environment and people’s health in Europe, particularly in the southern areas,
are expected to increase in the coming years (JRC Peseta, 2020) bringing
catastrophic effects -especially on the urban population- should effective
adaptation measures be not implemented. These adaptation measures in urban
areas are identified in green infrastructure, as proposed in some projects
(URBAN Greenup, LifeMedGreenRoof, Quick Urban Forestation, etc.) and some
EU strategies and recommendations.

Actions and means involved

  1. Analysis of the status quo, harmonization and sharing of data and
    experiences on governance, urban planning techniques and plan
    performance. In addition, selecting innovative measures and techniques to
    strengthen the implementation of green infrastructure through urban planning
    tools, municipal building regulations and public works specifications, and
    defining the framework of priorities in its implementation.
  2. Definition of a Forestry Contract and of management, adaptation and
    mitigation plans involving public and private bodies in order to start the
    implementation of targeted and shared actions in terms of growth, vegetation
    restoration, soil regeneration, valorization, and consistent and suitable usaage.
  3. Design and implementation of small and large scale green infrastructure
    through a top- down and bottom-up approach. The top down demonstrative
    actions of soil regeneration, urban microforestation, and restoration of coastal
    forests are aimed at experimenting the A_GreeNet methodology in the different urban contexts of the mid-Adriatic city. The bottom-up actions are aimed at promoting an alternative “modus operandi” to the exclusively public intervention, with a wide involvement of areas and private implementers.
  4. Activation of a “Climate Change and Health Observatory” with the task of monitoring the environment and the health with regard to the effects of rising temperatures and heat waves on the health of the inhabitants and for the identification of the health performance of urban plans, projects and public works.
  5. Implementation of awareness-raising, communication and accompanying activities that increase the active involment of citizens, local stakeholders and public administration technicians in the design, implementation and management of green infrastructures for climate adaptation.
  6. Construction of transfer paths of the A_GreeNet methodology to favour
    the implementation of the green coastal infrastructure in other Italian regional
    contexts – Province of Latina (Municipalities of Gaeta and Formia), Province of
    Salerno (Eboli, Capaccio-Paestum ), Province of Grosseto (Marina di Grosseto,
    Marina di Alberese, Talamone – Orbetello), Province of BAT (Barletta, Trani ,
    Bisceglie) and in a European scale (Poreč – Croatia).

LIFE PROGRAMME
The LIFE programme is the EU funding instrument for the environment and
climate action. It contributes to these priorities through its four sub-programmes
by:

  • boosting and integrating the implementation of the EU’s policy objectives for
    halting and reversing loss of wildlife habitats and species and biodiversity across
    all sectors.
  • supporting the transition to a circular economy and protecting and improving the quality of EU’s natural resources, including air, soil and water among others.
  • supporting implementation of the 2030 energy and climate policy framework, the EU’s climate neutrality objective by 2050, and the new EU strategy on
    adaptation to climate change.
  • building capacity, stimulating investments and supporting implementation of
    policies focused on energy efficiency and small-scale renewables.