BIODI-CO Biodiversity, a driver of conviviality in urban neighborhoods

BIODI-CO

Biodiversity, a driver of conviviality in urban neighborhoods

Context

The City of Liège presents specific urban characteristics linked to its rich industrial past :

• - Uneven spatial distribution : biodiversity is present in certain (large) sites of biological interest, but several neighborhoods are highly mineralized, with little vegetation ;
• - Soil pollution : some soils are polluted (filled ground) and require technical adaptations to allow their use
• - Ecological potential : Liège is located at the intersection of three different natural territories, offering significant ecological potential 
• - Social diversity : the City of Liège is cosmopolitan and multicultural, with varied social realities, which reinforces the importance of developing spaces that foster social ties
• - Density : some neighborhoods are very dense (up to more than 10,000 inhabitants/km²) and need green and convivial breathing spaces, which are essential for strengthening social cohesion and quality of life.

Moreover, the City of Liège is crossed by the Meuse River and several watercourses. However, biodiversity linked to water remains little visible in neighborhoods, whereas it constitutes an interesting potential to be valorized, in terms of development (e.g. vegetated fascines) and discovery.

Project objective

To use the development of biodiversity as a driver to:

• - strengthen social cohesion and conviviality 
• - improve quality of life and health
• - promote the appropriation of public space 
• - contribute to the urban ecological network 
• - anchor the ecological transition in the daily life of inhabitants of urban neighborhoods.

The project notably aims to:

• - develop biodiversity adapted to urban constraints (mineralization, polluted soils)
• - strengthen the urban ecological network 
• - reconnect inhabitants with their environment 
• - experiment with concrete and reproducible ecological solutions 
• - mobilize citizens in a sustainable way around their neighborhood 
• - promote participatory and collaborative dynamics.

The project therefore consists in interconnecting two issues:

• - ecological: strengthening urban biodiversity 
• - social: recreating social ties and convivial spaces.

Articulation with governance tools
 

The project is fully in line with local governance tools:

• - Strategic transversal programme “Liège 2030 City Project” 
• - Municipal Nature Development Plan 
• - Territorial Project – “Liège Fertile City, Liège Short-Distance City, Liège River City” 
• - Guide to biodiversity within non-built public spaces in Liège (Natagora).

What we are looking for

The City of Liège is looking for motivated European partners wishing to develop or strengthen local strategies that combine urban biodiversity, social cohesion, and quality of life in urban neighborhoods.
 

We welcome cities that are either experienced or looking to commit to this dynamic, particularly those facing similar challenges (dense or mineralized areas, social issues, climate adaptation, etc.) and wishing to leverage biodiversity as a driver for action.

The City of Liège is also seeking a Lead Partner.

Contact :

Service Environnement de la Ville de Liège
Joëlle Henrion
Rue de Namur, 2 – 4000 Liège

Tél : +32 (0)4 238 32 43

Mail : joelle.henrion@liege.be