Green opportunities to clean-up contaminants through an interspecies alliance
GOCCIA explores the potential of ‘interspecies design thinking’ in recovering an area previously contaminated by industrial activities. Once a gas production site, the area of ‘La Goccia’ in Milan faced high levels of soil contamination until it transformed into a wild urban woodland over the past 30 years. GOCCIA studies the plant-microorganism interactions involved in contaminant degradation, focusing on spontaneous phytoremediation and encouraging interspecies collaboration. The findings will inform the design of new nature-based solutions (NBS), leveraging the existing ecosystem and the role of the natural environment itself as a key stakeholder in the solution.
About
The ‘La Goccia’ forest acts as a living lab for research and design of nature-based solutions (NBS). This project’s primary goal is to co-design and validate a multi-species, regenerative model for remediating contaminated urban sites, boosting biodiversity, and promoting social innovation.
It aims to enhance an 18-hectare urban ecosystem through innovative biodiversity and microclimate monitoring while designing NBS to strengthen ecosystem services.
This project engages local stakeholders in co-designing the forest’s vision and maintenance through participatory governance. It also enhances environmental awareness and empowers residents by equipping them with tools for effective area usage, promoting community development and social inclusion.
The expected results include:
- Economic Growth: increasing employment opportunities through projected job creation in construction, conservation, and tourism.
- Community Empowerment: Engaging approximately 350 stakeholders in local decision-making.
- Improved Quality of Life: By improving access to green spaces with demonstrably enhanced soil, air and water quality.
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About this resource
The European Urban Initiative is an essential tool of the urban dimension of Cohesion Policy for the 2021-2027 programming period. The initiative established by the European Union supports cities of all sizes, to build their capacity and knowledge, to support innovation and develop transferable and scalable innovative solutions to urban challenges of EU relevance.
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