Oradea - Improving quality of life with NbS

According to the observations of city officials, citizens are actively using the new areas, and spend more time outdoors than they did previously. It can be presumed that the green corridors contribute to connectivity and more biodiversity in addition to having improved air quality and climatic conditions. Nature-based solutions impact job creation as well — not only are there jobs directly linked to the city administration’s creation of more green areas, investment and development companies also employ people to create green areas as they see many benefits of nature-based solutions (e.g. selling properties at higher prices due to nearby green areas). This leads to positive cooperation in public-private partnerships between companies and city authorities on using nature-based solutions and working together to create blue-green areas.

NbS Project 1: Green area rehabilitation and development of green infrastructure

Green area rehabilitation and development of green infrastructure in Oradea is expected increase biodiversity and improve the conservation of linked habitats. It also likely contributes to improving air quality, the absorption of greenhouse gases and reducing the urban heat island effect. Provision of green active travel routes and places contribute to reducing energy use and car numbers and to more frequent public transport use, which leads to less GHG emissions from transport. More green areas and leisure opportunities improve both the mental and physical health of local residents. Green areas can also mitigate social pressure on densely populated neighbourhoods and improve social dynamics (e.g. allow different age and social groups to meet).

NbS Project 2: Lake creation

Lake creation provides new habitats and richer ecosystems, improves air quality, water cycles and climatic conditions. It also provides recreational opportunities and encourages the sharing of social space, which improves health and social dynamics.

NbS Project 3: Creation of outdoor leisure areas (e.g. cycle paths, playgrounds)

Creating outdoor leisure areas, such as cycle paths, playgrounds and pedestrian paths, is expected to  reduce car use and thus reduce energy and greenhouse gases, contributing to cleaner air. More walking, cycling and leisure activity options may drive a more active lifestyle with more social interaction, which leads to fewer mental and physical health problems.

Green area planning and development is integrated into strategic and operational decisions and planning (Urban Development Plan 2030). However, current objectives that integrate nature-based solutions at local or national level are limited. On the other hand, pragmatic decision-making is making it possible to develop green and blue areas and to integrate them in the decisions and activities of the city administration, businesses and local residents. The most important instruments that define green space protection and development are Oradea’s legally binding documents, including land use planning instruments, the 429/2009 Local Decree on Organisation, Development and Maintenance of Green Spaces and the Green Cadastre of Oradea, which categorises the various green areas. The city also attempts to drive the prioritisation of green area creation and rehabilitation in public procurement and in its partnerships with 44 companies.

Stakeholders are involved through consultations, public participation, public debates, partnerships and voluntary days. Citizens may also submit requests directly to city hall.

Many businesses that work in partnership with cities are encouraged to include nature-based solutions in their planning and implementation phases (e.g. through procurement calls and partnership documents). Planning, construction and property development companies are gradually recognising the benefits of including green areas in their developments and include such investment in the planning phase. The development and maintenance of green areas provide green jobs in the city.

The main success factor of developing green areas in Oradea is the mayor’s support, as the vision of having a green area within a 5 minute walking distance from anywhere in the city came from the mayor himself. Pressure from citizens and owner associations, stakeholders’ understanding of the multiple benefits of green areas, and knowledge of new and innovative measures that improve quality of life are also important here. Limiting factors include administrative difficulties, long and bureaucratic public procurement processes, and limited financing, especially for the management and maintenance of green areas.

Main drivers include an understanding of how nature-based solutions contribute to improved quality of life, political support from the mayor’s office, and pressure from citizens and owner associations to increase the number of green areas.

There is no monitoring in place.

Participating in EU projects is very useful for learning about new innovative measures, receiving help with the planning processes that will make the vision a reality, and developing public-private partnerships. The Green Surge project under FP7 contributed to improving the understanding of how green areas and nature-based solutions contribute to development and shared lessons learnt from other cities on this subject.