Systemic Integration of Transformative Technical and Nature-based Solutions to Improve Climate Neutrality of European Cities and Regions and tackle Climate Change: the URBreath Approach

Project Information

URBREATH

Grant agreement ID: 101139711

DOI

10.3030/101139711

EC signature date 13 December 2023

Start date 1 January 2024

End date 31 December 2027

Funded under

• Climate, Energy and Mobility

Total cost

€ 14 963 862,50

EU contribution

€ 13 227 485,00

Coordinated by

THE LISBON COUNCIL FOR ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS ASBL
Belgium

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - URBREATH (Systemic Integration of Transformative Technical and Nature-based Solutions to Improve Climate Neutrality of European Cities and Regions and tackle Climate Change: the URBreath Approach)

Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

European cities are facing major social and environmental challenges from global geopolitical, economic, and climate changes. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable to these events due to the concentration of people and facilities, and the conventional approach to urban planning which often fail to address the needs of local communities, resulting in solutions that are not socially acceptable and lack a necessary return on investment.

The URBREATH project's main objective is to tackle this issue by developing, implementing, demonstrating, validating, and replicating a comprehensive methodology for urban revitalization, resilience, and climate neutrality. This new approach centers on community participation and the use of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), supported by advanced technologies like Local Digital Twins and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The goal is to radically enhance social interactions, inclusion, equitability, and liveability in cities.

The project's pathway to impact is a multi-phase process designed to drive systemic transformation in urban areas. This is achieved by combining different research streams and methods into an overarching framework that integrates new processes and technologies with a "more-than-human" perspective.This process is tested in four Front-Runner Cities (Cluj-Napoca, Leuven, Madrid, and Tallinn) and replicated in five Follower Cities (Aarhus, Athens, Kajaani, Parma, and Pilsen).

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Project Management and Coordination
The project consortium has established a strong collaborative environment, holding regular meetings at the project, work package, and task levels to ensure smooth progress. The foundational project management procedures are in place and the initial version of the data management plan and research ethics framework has been established to guide the project's activities and ensure compliance with ethical and legal requirements.

Local Living Labs
A key achievement has been the establishment of four pilot projects in the four Front-Runner Cities (FRCs)—Cluj-Napoca, Leuven, Madrid, and Tallinn—where local living labs (LLLs) have been set up. A methodology for urban greening LLLs has been developed to guide these activities. These labs are currently gathering data through co-creation workshops to inform the selection of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) for implementation.
The project has also initiated five pilot projects for the Follower Cities (FLCs)—Aarhus, Athens, Kajaani, Parma, and Pilsen—and their project plans are in development.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) have been defined, and baseline data has been gathered to measure the impact of the planned interventions against clear target values. This ensures that all project activities are grounded in a framework of evidence-based decision-making

Technical Framework and Tools
The project has made significant progress in developing its technical infrastructure. The specific requirements of the pilot cities have been collected and translated into technical specifications. Based on these, the logical architecture for the URBREATH Toolbox has been designed, with interoperability being a core feature, using Minimal Interoperability Mechanisms (MIMs) to facilitate seamless data transfer from the pilots. Several components of the Toolbox are now live with a functional User Interface (UI).

Knowledge Transfer and Dissemination
To support the scaling and replication of the project's results, a training program for civil servants from all nine pilot cities has been created. This program consists of four modules focused on key topics related to Nature-based Solutions.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

- Regenerated and Resilient Urban Environments
The project's methodology will lead to the co-creation and implementation of innovative hybrid NBS in selected urban areas. These interventions will directly contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation by improving, for example, local microclimates, increasing biodiversity, and reducing the urban heat island effect.

- Enhanced Quality of Life and Social Cohesion
By placing communities at the heart of the decision-making process, the project aims to increase citizens' quality of life and satisfaction with their urban space.

- Innovative and Participatory Governance
URBREATH will establish new, integrated, and transparent urban planning practices. This involves setting up Local Living Labs (LLLs) to engage authorities, citizens, and stakeholders in the co-design and testing of
urban revitalization plans. Digital tools such as digital twins will enable stakeholders to visualize and simulate the impact of different NBS scenarios, leading to more informed and shared decisions.

- Long-term Sustainability and Replication
The project will develop a URBREATH Global Roadmap to transfer the project's methodology and tools to other cities and regions. It will provide frameworks for innovative financing and collaborative procurement models to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of NBS projects. By working closely with platforms like NetZeroCities, URBREATH will promote synergies and the widespread uptake of its solutions, contributing to the EU's goal of having over 100 climate-neutral and smart cities.

The URBREATH project's logo