Title of the training

Blue-Green Infrastructure Solutions for Sustainable Cities

Duration

1 day (6 hours)

Purpose and scope

Rapid population growth in cities, unplanned growth, intensive consumption of resources and the effects of climate change significantly threaten the existence of urban systems and lead to ecological, economic and social problems. The economic cost of these problems and climate disasters to cities is quite high. There is a need for a strong transformation towards the creation of safe, accessible, inclusive, effective and efficient use of resources, resilient to the effects of climate change and disasters, and the creation of sustainable cities and living spaces. Making cities resilient and sustainable is an important part of the New Urban Agenda, the UN 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Blue-green infrastructure (natural infrastructure) provides numerous benefits such as regulating the local climate, rainwater management, flood prevention, providing recreational facilities, increasing biodiversity, improving air, soil, water and quality of life. The fact that cities are strong in terms of blue-green infrastructure reduces the effects of climate change and contributes to increasing the resilience of cities against these impacts.

Urban systems depend on natural systems. Since blue-green infrastructure is related to natural systems and all sectors are dependent on nature and natural assets, it is possible to produce effective solutions to ecological, environmental and social problems in cities by taking advantage of blue-green infrastructure in all sectors.

This training aims to develop awareness and skills for the solution of urban problems by addressing the theory, application, management and evaluation processes of blue-green infrastructure with a sustainable cities approach.

Target audience

The target audience of Blue-Green Infrastructure Solutions for Sustainable Cities Training consists of experts from different professional disciplines (landscape architect, urban planner, biologist, geographer, hydrological engineer, civil engineer, agricultural engineer, architect, mechanical engineer, sociologist, industrial designer, technician, worker, etc.) working in management, planning, implementation and maintenance processes in central and local governments. In addition, this training is suitable for people who want to have awareness and develop perspectives about blue-green infrastructure solutions in cities, civil society, private sector representatives, and undergraduate and graduate students studying in different fields in higher education institutions.

In the training presentations, gray, blue-green and hybrid solutions of different scales and details applied in various cities are handled as case studies, and the effectiveness of these applications and their cost-benefit situations are evaluated comparatively. The content of the training can be adapted by taking into account the interests of the participants from different target groups, their professional disciplines and the characteristics of the sector they represent.

Trainers

Blue-Green Infrastructure Solutions for Sustainable Cities training delivered by trainers who have educational experience and academic experience in the field of ecological networks in Turkey and internationally; have taken part in national and international projects on landscape ecology, ecosystem services, blue-green infrastructure, nature-based solutions and adaptation to climate change and carried out scientific studies; have experience in management, commissions or boards in national and international organizations on these issues; have carried out scientific studies, research and reporting studies on green infrastructure solutions, nature-based solutions, adaptation to climate change in cities, in the fight against climate change; have outstanding qualifications with their scientific studies, scientific and administrative duties and educational studies in the field.

Objectives and learning outcomes

Those who have completed the Blue-Green Infrastructure Solutions for Sustainable Cities training are expected to;

• Explain the concept of sustainable city,
• Explain the objectives of the global goals and the SDG objective No. 11 of Sustainable Cities and Living Spaces and the practices that can be done to achieve these goals,
• Comprehend the functioning of natural and urban systems,
• Understand the concepts of gray, brown, blue-green infrastructure and their components,
• Understand the effects and benefits of blue-green infrastructure (natural infrastructure) on the functioning and sustainability of cities,
• Explain the ecological, social and economic benefits (ecosystem services) provided by blue-green infrastructure,
• Explain the functions of blue-green and hybrid solutions to mitigate the negative effects of climate change and disaster prevention,
• Have information about blue-green and hybrid solutions realized in different sectors and at various scales in cities,
• Evaluate the short and long-term ecological, social and economic benefits of blue-green solutions at the regional (basin) and city scale, and predict the possible consequences in terms of achieving sustainable and livable city goals,
• Evaluate the possibilities of cooperation with different sectors in creating blue-green infrastructures and develop common strategies,
• Evaluate the challenges and opportunities in the implementation of blue-green solutions,
• Develop local solutions by establishing cause-and-effect relationships.

Content

Although the content of the training program will be adapted according to the characteristics of the group to be trained, such as educational status and field of study, the content of the training includes the following topics:

• Sustainable City Concept
• Sustainable Development Goals, 11th SDG – Sustainable Cities and Living Spaces
• Functioning of Natural and Urban Systems
• Blue and Green Infrastructure and Gray and Brown Infrastructure Concepts and Components Constituting the Natural Infrastructure
• Impacts and Benefits of Blue-Green Infrastructure on the Functioning and Sustainability of Cities
• Ecosystem Services Concept and Ecosystem Services and Disaster Prevention Functions Provided by Blue and Green Solutions
• Contributions of Blue-Green and Hybrid Solutions to the SDGs with Climate Change Adverse Impact Mitigation and Disaster Prevention Functions
• Blue-Green and Hybrid Solution Examples Realized in Different Cities in Different Sectors and at Various Scales (Region, City), Pre- and Post-Implementation Assessments, Opportunities and Challenges

Delivery and method

It is preferred that Blue-Green Infrastructure Solutions for Sustainable Cities training is implemented in the form of face-to-face training. However, if conditions arise that prevent face-to-face training, the training may be delivered remotely by using the Me-Learning© online learning platform and the Actio© meeting management tool.

In the implementation of the training program, the training presentation is provided to the participants in digital form. In addition to the presentation of basic information about blue-green infrastructure solutions for sustainable cities in education, trainer guides learners through case studies, interaction, role-playing and simulation-based games, group studies and practices in a way that facilitates educational learning and improves application skills.

Learning tools and materials

Presentations with moving visuals and videos are used as teaching and learning material to gain knowledge and awareness about sustainable cities and the blue-green infrastructure relationship. Case studies and good practices are used as a learning tool to evaluate blue-green and hybrid solutions in different sectors, to establish cause and effect relationships and to develop local solutions by collaborating. In addition, role-playing and simulation-based online games are preferred as a means of teaching and learning in order to develop skills in the benefits of blue-green, hybrid and gray solutions and their contribution to creating sustainable cities with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Presentations, Audio visual and multimedia materials, case studies, worksheets and similar materials are distributed to the participants. If there is a sufficient number of hardware such as computers, notebooks or tablets in the learning environment, all materials are provided in a digital format and studies are carried out in digital context.

In accordance with our waste reduction policy, printed materials are not distributed in this training unless it is educationally necessary.

Assessment and evaluation

In order to optimize the learning process according to the learners’ needs, the level of readiness of the learners is assessed informally by the trainer. The studies carried out by the participants such as exercises and practices are evaluated as an indicator of the development / learning of the learners and the trainer provides feedback based on these. At the end of the training, the Training Evaluation Questionnaire is applied.

Participants receive a certificate of attendance showing that they have completed  Blue-Green Infrastructure Solutions for Sustainable Cities training, with duration of the training clearly stated.

Keywords

Blue-green infrastructure, natural and urban systems, nature-based solutions, sustainable cities