The day began with a warm welcome from Ferenc Szigeti (lead expert),Adelina Pinto, Vice-Mayor of Guimarães and President of the Landscape Laboratory. Pinto highlighted the city’s commitment to biodiversity and sustainability as she officially opened the meeting. This was followed by the introduction of participants, setting a collaborative tone for the day.
The morning's agenda included presentations from the BiodiverCity Academy. The first session introduced participants to the Green City Accord and Eurocities initiatives, underscoring the importance of collective action for greener urban spaces. Attention then shifted to the Biodiversity Action Plan 2030, featuring the City Biodiversity Index, a key tool for measuring the progress of urban ecosystems.
After a brief coffee break, the focus shifted to tree cities, led by Cieza, and nature-based solutions (NbS), presented by Frederico Meireles. These sessions explored the practical applications of NbS in urban environments and the role of national NbS hubs in shaping greener cities.
The group enjoyed lunch at the Landscape Laboratory before embarking on an insightful tour of the facility, where they learned about ongoing projects in environmental education and urban biodiversity.
The afternoon concluded with a "Walkshop" to the nearby Community Gardens, a hands-on experience where participants, grouped with local Urban Living Lab members, engaged in a Photo Safari to capture ideas for enhancing biodiversity. This interactive activity aimed to offer fresh perspectives on improving these spaces through NbS and biodiversity strategies.
The first day provided a solid foundation for deeper discussions and collaboration, setting the stage for continued work in urban biodiversity and sustainable city development.
