I. Investments to transform the city and shape a sustainable future
Suceava Municipality was nominated among the EU Mission: 100 Climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030 to pursue ambitious goals to slash emissions rapidly and pioneer innovative approaches with citizens and stakeholders. The city's obtaining the EU Mission Label is an important milestone, as it is a recognition of the city's plans to ensure a sustainable urban development.
The municipality of Suceava is conscious that issues on urban structures, infrastructures and spaces affect health. Its strong commitment to a green infrastructure will only present benefits to human, animal, and environmental health if they are approached in a holistic manner.
A successful green infrastructure investment in Suceava is the Recreational area on Suceava river banks. 155,560 sqm of a degraded are were reconverted into green spaces (140,050 sqm), pedestrian alleys and bike lanes, outdoor playgrounds and an area for cultural events. The area quickly became a genuine green oasis for the inhabitants of all ages as it promotes biodiversity, respects wild life habitats in a permaculture approach.
II. The green belt : promoting urban health through rehabilitation of industrial areas and education
The “One Health 4 Cities” project is an excellent opportunity to emphasize Suceava’s strong commitment to a healthy and green city for its inhabitants. The ambitious goal is to establish a green belt surrounding the city, thus the community will be endowed with new 'green lungs', which will provide the residents with cleaner air and reduce the effects of pollution. The upcoming projects include Dendrological Park Şipote-Cetate (park dedicated to trees and shrubs), Zamca forest (forest school) and Teodoreni Urban Forest.
- The Dendrological Park Şipote-Cetate is an extensive rehabilitation and modernization project of 7 hectares of vegetation with pedestrian walkways, theme gardens, playgrounds, fitness areas, bicycle tracks, lighting system, playgrounds, running area, outdoor amphitheatre and multifunctional pavilions.
- The Zamca forest- forest school project plans the rehabilitation and modernization of 100 hectares of vegetation, a forested slope located at the southern center of the city. This small forest can be easily reached on foot from several schools and kindergartens, as well as with car or public transport. Inside the forest there are natural trails, used by citizens for walking and sports activities as well as historical vestiges to visit.
- Teodoreni Urban Forest will involve afforestation of almost 6 hectares of degraded land. The urban forest will be established by planting 180,000 trees of several species as well as a mix of 45,000 dogwood, hornbeam, sedge and hawthorn shrubs.
“One Health 4 Cities” project is an excellent opportunity to combat health problems linked to the population's sedentary inactivity. Nature-based solutions — such as trees, forests, and green areas — are increasingly being recognized as key for balancing social, economic, and environmental development by generating essential ecosystem services, such as mitigating carbon emissions, improving air quality, regulating temperatures, and providing recreational areas that promote social cohesion and well-being.
Forests and trees make cities better places to live. They help people breathe, think, exercise and relax, reduce extreme heat, create more walkable streets, and more.
The experiences shared by the project partners led Suceava to rethink approaches to health, toreconsider the reality of people’s lives, and develop innovative actions to provide them healthy solutions according to their expectations.
Urban forests are a cost-effective, nature-based solution for tackling multiple urban challenges and play a vital role in transforming cities into more sustainable, resilient, and healthier places to live. Green Vision is not only about restoring nature, it is about empowering local communities, fostering economic resilience, and promoting a harmonious relationship between people and the environment.