Join us in Genk in June 2022 for the Connecting Nature Impact Summit, where we will focus on the impact nature-based solutions have had on cities and the people who live in them!

BRINGING CITIES TO LIFE, BRINGING LIFE INTO CITIES

Access to nature in our cities has never been more important. City residents have turned to nature in huge numbers and being able to access nature locally is a vital resource. Nature and natural environments also offer many services and solutions from improving the health and well-being of citizens to addressing contemporary (urban) problems like flooding, temperature control, and tackling air pollution. How do cities develop inclusive nature-based strategies, that provide multiple benefits for citizens, biodiversity and tackle climate change and importantly, how do you capture the evidence that supports investment in nature?

From April 28 – 29, the Connecting Nature Impact Summit, Genk will bring together a wide range of local, regional and international participants to demonstrate how nature impacts our lives, socially, environmentally, economically and how Nature-based Solutions can provide a positive impact for urban environments and protect biodiversity.

This hybrid event, and the final summit in the Connecting Nature Summit series will include both online and in person presentations, workshops, round table discussions, site visits, exhibitions and performances, all in a creative and festive atmosphere at Thor Park in Genk.

The event programme is based on three main building blocks of the Connecting Nature Framework:

• ‘Thinking with nature’ explores the larger scale policy, strategy, planning and theoretical implications under the umbrella theme of Nature-based Solutions. Discussions include the impact of Nature-based Solutions on different policy levels; on the impact on climate resilience; etc.
• ‘Building with nature’ focuses on translating ideas into action. It looks at the design and development process, from defining a project to the design and development process. The integrated approach needed because of the layered character of Nature-based Solutions has an impact on the organization of a cities administration.
• ‘Living with nature’ is about the governance, communities and stewardship of nature and natural environments. It is about the impact of Nature-based Solutions on the neighbourhoods and citizens involved. It will particularly offer community leaders to look at the longer-term care and management.