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The International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) has joined the WGIN Working Group on the reconstruction of post-conflict areas. Representing IFLA in this initiative is Dr. Maria Gabriella Trovato, an Associate Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) and the Program Leader of the International Master’s Program in Landscape Architecture for Global Sustainability. Dr. Maria Gabriella Trovato is a distinguished expert in landscape planning, spatial development, and the reconstruction of territories affected by conflicts and environmental crises. She has extensive experience in integrating nature-based solutions into the restoration of urban and natural landscapes. She is the Founder and Director of the Eastern Mediterranean Landscape Observatory (EMLO), a member of the UNISCAPE Executive Board, and the Chair of Landscape Architects Without Borders (IFLA). Her research focuses on landscape restoration in emergency contexts, urban adaptation to climate change, and the development of inclusive and resilient public spaces. The participation of IFLA in this working group represents a strategic step toward embedding nature-based solutions into the reconstruction of post-conflict territories. With the number of regions affected by armed conflicts and socio-political upheavals increasing globally, the demand for sustainable and resilient reconstruction strategies has never been more urgent. A holistic approach—combining ecological restoration, climate resilience, and social reintegration—is essential to ensuring long-term stability and quality of life for affected communities. The collaboration between WGIN and IFLA aims to foster innovative strategies for land restoration, establish long-term planning frameworks, and contribute to the creation of sustainable and resilient urban environments. As post-conflict reconstruction becomes an increasingly critical global challenge, integrating landscape architecture and nature-based solutions into recovery efforts is paramount for achieving sustainable development. We invite organizations to collaborate in the development of innovative solutions for post-conflict territory restoration. If you are interested in contributing or proposing joint initiatives, please contact us at oleksandra.strashok@uagin.org.

© Sempergreen Services and BrightView  Løren Elementary School in Oslo has taken a significant step toward sustainability by integrating solar energy technology with its existing green roof. The challenge was to install solar panels while preserving the biodiversity and structural integrity of the roof. Thanks to a collaboration between Sempergreen and Over Easy Solar, an innovative solution was implemented: lightweight vertical PV units that enhance energy output without compromising the Sedum roof. This groundbreaking renovation sets a new standard for urban sustainability. Advancing Sustainable EducationWith 750 students, Løren Elementary School prioritizes environmental responsibility. In 2022, the school aimed to advance its sustainability efforts by transforming its green roof into an energy-generating ecosystem. The goal was to maintain biodiversity while harnessing solar power, ensuring a functional and eco-friendly learning environment. Overcoming Challenges with Smart DesignThe biggest hurdle was finding a lightweight solar solution that seamlessly integrated with the existing Sedum roof while staying within the building’s load-bearing limits. The school needed a system that preserved the greenery’s quality, efficiently produced energy, and utilized cutting-edge technology.Løren School is now a role model for urban sustainability, demonstrating that solar energy and rooftop biodiversity can coexist. Sempergreen & Over Easy Solar’s Unique ApproachIn partnership with Over Easy Solar, Sempergreen provided a lightweight, prefabricated VPV system specifically designed for green roofs. This innovation not only facilitated smooth integration but also enhanced the performance of both the Sedum vegetation and the solar panels. How the System Works Vertical Double-Sided Solar Panels: Capture sunlight from both sides, maximizing energy production. Cooling & Reflective Effects: The Sedum roof cools the panels, while its reflective properties (albedo effect) boost efficiency. Biodiversity Protection: The system ensures the green roof remains healthy and functional under the panels. Project Highlights Smart Synergy: The Sedum roof enhances solar panel performance while thriving beneath the PV units. Lightweight & Load-Friendly: The system weighs only 51 kg/m² when fully saturated, ideal for weight-sensitive structures. Fast & Easy Installation: Ballast-free design allows quick assembly without mechanical fastenings. Scalability & Growth: Following the successful 2022 pilot, the project expanded in 2023, reaching 46 kWp across 500 m². Urban Sustainability Model: A leading example of how cities can integrate green roofs and renewable energy. Delivering Energy-Efficient ResultsThe combination of green roofs and vertical PV panels has produced impressive results. The 2022 pilot demonstrated high energy yields, and surprisingly, the quality of the green roof improved beneath the panels compared to uncovered sections. Encouraged by these outcomes, the school expanded the project in 2023, solidifying its commitment to sustainability. The unique VPV system from Over Easy Solar optimizes energy production by balancing output throughout the day, reducing CO₂ emissions, and increasing overall efficiency. Løren School’s green roof solar project is a shining example of how urban spaces can embrace sustainability without compromise, leading the way for future innovations.

GoNaturePositive! is a collaborative initiative backed by the European Commission dedicated to accelerating awareness and transformative action towards a nature-positive economy among policymakers, investors, businesses and wider society. Its consortium has launched an open consultation on the Nature-Positive Economy. This initiative aims to foster prosperity while protecting and restoring the natural environment upon which we all depend. By promoting a Nature-Positive Economy, we seek to create new opportunities for innovation, job creation, and food security, all while mitigating our vulnerability to nature loss. Luigi Petito, Head of the WGIN EU Chapter Secretariat, is a member of the GoNaturePositive! Impact Board, helping to refine the key points that outline the essential elements of what a nature-positive economy could look like. Businesses, policymakers and citizens are encouraged to take part in this dialogue by sharing their insights and feedback before 30 November 2024 through this link: bit.ly/4hpkMFk. To learn more about GoNaturePositive and how you can get involved, you can visit their consultation page: Welcome to the GoNaturePositive! Consultation.

 Roof garden, Vegetable garden on the roof, Vegetables on the roof of the building, Agriculture in urban on the roof of the building. Shutterstock ID:1010959666 In the concrete jungles of our cities could take root a quiet revolution: urban agriculture. As we struggle with the challenges of food security, environmental degradation, and climate change, harnessing the potential of urban spaces for agricultural production can emerge as a solution. Urban agriculture has a myriad of benefits which could be delivered to people through a reevaluation of European policies. Urban agriculture offers a broad range of benefits that extend beyond mere food production. Firstly, it fosters food security by bringing fresh, locally grown produce closer to urban dwellers, reducing reliance on long-distance transportation and mitigating the increasing risks associated with disruptions to global supply chains. Moreover, cultivating crops within cities promotes biodiversity as green spaces created through urban agriculture serve as habitats for diverse flora and fauna. Additionally, urban agriculture plays a pivotal role in mitigating climate change. By converting impervious surfaces, vacant lots, rooftops, and walls into productive green spaces, carbon sequestration is enhanced, while reducing the urban heat island effect and mitigating stormwater runoff, thereby increasing urban resilience to extreme weather events. Finally, engaging in urban agriculture fosters community cohesion and social inclusion. Community gardens and allotment schemes provide spaces for interaction, knowledge sharing, and skill development, forging stronger bonds among residents and promoting a sense of ownership and pride in local neighbourhoods. Read the full article by Luigi Petito, Head of Secretariat at WGIN’s EU Chapter in the Spring 2024 issue of Living Architecture Monitor.

German Association of Building Greening (Bundes-verband Gebäude Grün e.V. – BuGG), together with the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt – DLR), has carried out the research project “Inventory and Potential Analysis of Green Roofs” and developed a standardized procedure for the analysis of existing and potential green roofs. The result of the project was the development of a software application that allows a fast and efficient analysis of urban roof surfaces. In view of current climate developments (including overheating and extreme precipitation), green roofs continue to be a focus of attention. Many cities are therefore giving green roofs a particularly high priority in their climate change adaptation plans. A targeted expansion of the green infrastructure on urban roofs is therefore seen by many communities as an important component of future-oriented urban planning. An important basis for the development of local green roof strategies is therefore provided by specific geo data sets, which, in addition to the area and location of existing green roofs, also identify suitable roof areas for subsequent greening. Read the full report here. Image © BuGG e.V.

Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V. (BuGG) provides technical information on Solar Green Roofs. The detailed BuGG technical information “Solar Green Roof” comprises 52 pages, including plant lists, practical examples and is well illustrated with almost 80 illustrations and sample photos. It can be ordered for a nominal fee of 19 euros plus shipping costs: info@bugg.de. Read excerpts from the BuGG technical information “Solar Green Roof” here.   Image © BuGG e.V. 

Aerial view of rooftop garden in urban residential area. ID: 1361273999 22 January 2024 – With the interinstitutional negotiations on the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) in full speed, WGIN joined forces with 18 organisations to call upon co-legislators to adopt an ambitious recast of the directive. The signatories, non-profit association, businesses and business associations underlined the opportunity that represents the revision of this 30-year-old legislation to adapt it to modern water challenges. In particular, the letter stresses that many technical advances, such as green infrastructure solutions, have not yet been mainstreamed for the reduction of wastewater treatment needs. Therefore, the signatories call for, among others, “Ensuring a timely introduction of integrated urban wastewater management plans that prioritise green and blue infrastructure to climate-proof cities and reduce pollution from urban wastewaters and runoffs”. The letter comes ahead of the next trilogue meeting on the UWWTD, planned for the 29 January, which is expected to significantly progress negotiations on the revised directive. Read the full letter here.