Press from Merano | JUSTNature European Partners visit Merano

Merano is one of seven European cities taking part in the EU JUSTNature project. Today (11 April), the partner cities and partner organisations from all over Europe met in Bolzano and Merano to discuss green solutions in urban areas.

A just transition to green cities with low CO2 emissions is the general goal of the various JUSTNature pilot projects, which will be implemented by February 2026.

Protecting the historic tree population and biodiversity as well as testing a new concept for public green spaces are the main objectives of the JUSTNature project in the garden city of Merano. Stadtwerke Meran is also involved in the project by operating a temperature sensor network. Over 30 sensors, which were financed with funds from the EU project, help to better understand the influence of vegetation on temperature development.

"Today (11 April), partner cities and partner organisations from all over Europe met in Bolzano and Merano for an exchange on green solutions in urban areas. The delegation from the EU project led by the EURAC Research Institute held several workshops in Merano's town hall after visiting the town's green spaces. Around 40 experts took part," explained engineer Ruth Lochmman, who is coordinating the JUSTNature project for the municipality of Merano.

The participants were welcomed in the meeting room of the municipal council by Deputy Mayor and Environmental Officer Katharina Zeller. "The exchange with planning departments and green space experts from other countries is a great enrichment for us," emphasised Zeller.

"We have noticed that the innovative approaches in Merano/Meran for the preservation and protection of high-quality green spaces, such as the newly introduced minimum score for ecological functionality in construction projects, have met with great interest from our international partners," said Marco Masin, Head of the Green Spaces and Environment Department.

A garden for everyone: work starts in May

Thanks to an innovative participatory process with local residents and experts, a "garden for all" is being created on a small pilot area on Winkelweg (see press release dated 20 December 2023). The result of the joint planning with local residents is a pioneering new approach to the use of public green spaces. In addition to edible plants, the main focus is on ecologically high-quality and species-rich planting.

"The work to redesign the area on Winkelweg, which is co-financed by the EU, will start in May and a small snack park with berry bushes and raised beds will be created. The open water area will be fed with Passer water from the historic Mühlwaal and promises to be a local cooling oasis for local residents," says a delighted Zeller.

News from the Stadtgemeinde Meran website.