The Culture of Parks in Cities – Parks of Culture

Narrative Synthesis 

The "Culture of Parks in Cities – Parks of Culture" project, initiated by Universitatea Politehnica Timișoara (UPT), was designed to enhance awareness and engagement regarding the role of green urban infrastructure in cities with high cultural potential. This initiative emphasized the importance of parks and urban green spaces as multifunctional assets that contribute to ecological sustainability, cultural identity, and social well-being. The project also aligned with the broader objective of promoting Timișoara as the European Capital of Culture in 2023, positioning green spaces as key elements in the city's cultural and urban development.

Through a series of bilateral collaborations, workshops, roundtables, and community-driven events, the project fostered dialogue between Romanian and Norwegian experts, strengthening institutional partnerships and sharing best practices in urban sustainability, nature-based solutions (NBS), and cultural heritage preservation.

Objectives and Strategic Goals

The project aimed to:

• Promote awareness among citizens and authorities regarding the ecological, social, and cultural significance of urban green spaces.

• Strengthen institutional partnerships through bilateral exchanges between Romania and Norway.

• Develop practical tools and resources, including a bilingual volume documenting the history of green spaces and best practices in sustainable urban planning.

• Facilitate knowledge transfer on nature-based solutions (NBS) as alternatives to traditional (grey) infrastructure in cities.

• Encourage civic engagement through interactive events, such as workshops, roundtables, and a Climathon, where young participants proposed creative solutions for improving urban green spaces.

Key Activities and Achievements

1. Bilateral Visits and Knowledge Exchange

A key component of the project was the bilateral institutional exchanges between UPT and its Norwegian partners, including:

• Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
• Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO)

Two major visits took place:

• March 2023 (Trondheim and Ås, Norway) – Discussions focused on urban sustainability, green infrastructure, and NBS implementation.
• May–June 2023 (Timișoara, Romania) – Norwegian experts participated in events showcasing Timișoara's urban green space initiatives and its role as the European Capital of Culture.

These exchanges facilitated knowledge transfer and helped align urban green strategies between the two countries.

2. Development of a Bilingual Volume on Green Urban Spaces

A major outcome of the project was the publication of a bilingual volume, Cultura Parcurilor – Parcuri ale Culturii, which:

• Explores the historical evolution of urban green spaces in Timișoara and Norwegian partner cities.
• Highlights the cultural and ecological benefits of parks.
• Showcases best practices for integrating NBS into urban planning.

This resource serves as a guideline for policymakers, urban planners, and researchers, offering a comprehensive perspective on sustainable green infrastructure.

3. Workshops and Roundtables on Ecosystem Services and NBS

To promote the conservation of urban green spaces, two workshops were held on May 29, 2023, focusing on:

• The role of ecosystem services provided by urban parks.
• The implementation of nature-based solutions as alternatives to grey infrastructure.

On May 30, 2023, an international roundtable was organized, bringing together 23 participants from Romania and Norway. Discussions centered on:

• Best practices in green urban development.
• The role of community engagement in preserving urban green spaces.
• Strategies for incorporating biodiversity conservation into city planning.

4. Climathon – Engaging Youth in Urban Sustainability

A Climathon was organized on May 31, 2023, involving seven teams of students and young professionals. Participants developed innovative projects focused on:

• Revitalizing urban parks through multifunctional designs.
• Enhancing biodiversity within green spaces.
• Integrating technology into sustainable park management.

The event provided a platform for young minds to contribute to the city's urban sustainability strategy. The results of the Climathon will be compiled into a report presented to local and regional authorities, ensuring that the ideas generated had a practical impact on urban planning policies.

5. Digital Outreach and Public Awareness Campaigns

The project placed strong emphasis on digital engagement, ensuring that the knowledge and outcomes reached a wider audience. Activities included:

• Social media campaigns (Facebook, Instagram) to engage the public in discussions on green urban infrastructure.
• The use of geospatial and virtual reality tools to map and visualize urban green spaces.
• The transfer of participatory mapping techniques from Norway to Romania, enabling citizens to contribute to data collection and decision-making regarding parks and green areas.

Long-Term Impact and Sustainability

To ensure that the project's results extend beyond its initial implementation, several sustainability measures were established:

1. Continuing workshops at UPT focused on green infrastructure, ecosystem services, and NBS.
2. Making the best practice guide available as an open-access resource, supporting continued learning for urban planners and researchers.
3. Encouraging follow-up research projects on urban green spaces, with UPT and NTNU pursuing further collaborations.
4. Establishing agreements with local and regional authorities to integrate NBS principles into urban planning policies.
5. Fostering student and researcher exchanges between Romanian and Norwegian institutions, ensuring the long-term continuation of knowledge-sharing efforts.

Conclusion

The "Culture of Parks in Cities – Parks of Culture" project successfully bridged cultural, environmental, and educational dimensions, demonstrating the crucial role of urban green spaces in enhancing quality of life, biodiversity, and civic identity. By integrating bilateral collaboration, academic research, and community engagement, the project provided tangible solutions for sustainable urban development.

Through its combination of educational resources, participatory activities, and cross-border cooperation, the project set a precedent for future urban sustainability initiatives, reinforcing the importance of green spaces as cultural and ecological assets in modern cities.

For more details, please send an email at: rares.halbac-cotoara-zamfir@upt.ro