GiroNat
From Guide to Girona
GiroNat was a project that started in 2022[1] and runs until December 2025.[2] It aimed to make Girona greener, healthier, and more resilient by bringing nature back into urban spaces[3]. The total budget of the project was €3,043,331,[1] 95% of which was funded by the European Union through the NextGenerationEU recovery plan.[4]
What GiroNat did in Girona:[5]
- Research & planning: socio-environmental diagnostics, a city renaturalisation strategy, urban tree and waterway plans, fire-prevention strategies, and studies on invasive plants.
- Pilot projects: tests in public spaces such as reducing mowing to turn lawns into meadows, boosting flora and fauna.
- Parks & neighbourhoods: renewal of Jardins de les Pedreres as a climate-resilient demonstration park, and the “Menja’t Sant Narcís” project to re-green and revitalise the Sant Narcís neighbourhood.
- Schools: naturalisation of six playgrounds with native plants, pollinator-friendly flowers, outdoor classrooms, and habitats for birds and insects.
- Green buildings: creation of green walls and rooftops, including a vertical garden and water-reuse system at Escola Àgora.
- Water & biodiversity: restoration and expansion of ponds and river habitats to cool the city, improve biodiversity, and support mental wellbeing.
- Citizen involvement: environmental education and volunteering activities such as removing invasive species, building nest boxes, and monitoring local wildlife.
- Everyday greening: the “Balconies for Biodiversity” campaign helps residents green balconies, terraces, and gardens with plants that support wildlife.
- Community lab: the GiroNat Lab brings together 40+ representatives from public, private, and research sectors to co-design Girona’s green transition.
- Health & wellbeing: guided nature walks, relaxation and movement sessions (yoga/qigong style) in natural settings to reduce stress, improve sleep, and strengthen immunity.
Contact:
- Address: Edifici Ciències, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, Campus Montilivi 17003 Girona[6]
- Email: enric.cassu@udg.edu[6]
- Website: https://web.girona.cat/gironat
- Website #2: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/815af81ecb29464f858a47ade4e020aa
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://xcn.cat/projecte/gironat-gir-cap-a-la-renaturalitzacio-per-a-una-girona-mes-resilient-i-saludable/
- ↑ https://web.girona.cat/gironat
- ↑ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDINoBFSIEsSNKe5xyHm9KGp2YIWvcP8ptjsDJRj0PYc6j5w/formResponse
- ↑ https://web.girona.cat/gironat
- ↑ https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/815af81ecb29464f858a47ade4e020aa
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 https://www.udg.edu/ca/projectes/gironat
