Secure green area and waterbasins in Zemgale and Northern Lithuania

The project "Urban Green" is aimed at preservation of green areas and water basins in urban areas of Zemgale region and Northern Lithuania, investing in green infrastructure thus reducing urban pressure on environment, securing green areas for future generations. The environmental protection activities will be carried out in 9 cities and towns: Jekabpils, Dobele, Plavinas, Jaunjelgava, Rokiskis, Birzai, Naujoji Akmene and Akmene, Birstonas. The project will increase a share of quality green areas within these cities and towns improving access to natural resources to the inhabitants of these cities, municipalities and tourists.The necessity for such actions is determined by urban spawl, underdeveloped living areas that lack green public space due to recession of 2008, increase in use of individual transport as opposed to decreasing public transport in combination with restricted municipal budgets. The negative medical statistics (life expectancy, death from heart diseases and cancer) in Latvia and Lithuania in comparison with other European countries indicate that we cannot afford to take any risks to exposure to fine particles from air pollution considering the recent loss of inhabitants in both countries. Urban pressure is to be balanced by quality green zones. The existing parks are to be improved in order to eliminate walkers, cyclists and and drivers' negative impact on the green zones. The cross border advantage to learn from each other how to make the cities look greener and how to activate local inhabitants to take care of their surrounding is to be used. The main acitvities: reconstruction of 7 parks, equipment for 1 park, elaboration of 4 technical design projects for future investments, workshops and manual for municipal planners on sustainable urban forms and other environmental issues, landscape plener of acrhitects for practical experience exchange. In order to educate and activate society, an environmental campaign will be organised consisting of a set of different cross border actions involving local inhabitants and partner organisations. Zemgale Planning region as a lead partner in cooperation with Jekabpils City Council, Dobele, Jaunjelgava and Plavinas County councils, Administrations of Rokiskis, Akmene, Birzai and Birstonas municipalities will produce the following cross border outputs: reconstructed 16,48 ha of green space, an environmental campaign of 7 different actions involving more than 1075 participants, 30 educated municipal planners of 8 municipalities and one region, 4 technical projects for reconstruction of 14,33 ha additional green space. The main target group -.162 643 inhabitants of municipalities would receive improved access to natural resources and the involved 8 municipalities would have strengthened cooperation links. A contribution to sustainable environmental development will be made.The created manual in two languages and 30 educatated planners on sustainable urban planning alongside activated inhabitants of 8 municipalities (1110) to take care of their surrounding and investments in green infrastructure (8 sites) to be used cross border is a path to a more secured natural environment for future generations.Technical design documentation forJekabpils wood park, Rokiskis manor house park, landscape plan for Berzes river left bank in Dobele, Akmene technical design produced by partners PP2, PP3, PP4 and PP5. An environmental campaign consiting of a set of activities in order to raise awareness of inhabitants and activate them to take care of of their nearest surrounding, organising exhibitions, ccontests, photo sessions and cleaning up and tree planting actions, etc.by all project partners. Festival - "eco beauty contest" for the whole project territory to increase awareness of population to take care of their suurounding and praise the most beautiful and nature friendly sites, yards, gardens, balconies, etc. organised in the farme of environmental campaign by PP7 and PP2 in cooperation with LP.