#ParksMatter An International Forum on Greening was held in Ivano-Frankivsk

On June 11, International forum on urban greening, organized as part of the project “City Parks Matter – A New Approach to Urban Greenery Management in Ivano-Frankivsk and Rzeszów” (ParksMatter), which is being implemented under the Interreg NEXT Poland–Ukraine 2021–2027 Program, was held at the Potocki Palace complex.

The forum served as a platform for discussing current challenges and prospects for the development of urban green spaces, bringing together representatives of local government, the scientific community, the civil society sector, landscape architects, ecologists, urban planners, and international partners.

Welcome speeches were delivered to the participants by Mykhailo Smushak, Deputy Mayor and Director of the Department of Infrastructure, Housing, and Public Utilities Policy of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council; Ihor Popadiuk, Director of the Department of Investment Policy, Projects, International Relations, Tourism, and City Promotion, Deputy Director of the Fundraising Department of the Rzeszów City Council, Agnieszka Tomaka; and Director of the Municipal Enterprise “Center for City Development and Recreation,” Ruslana Vasyliuk.

One of the key events of the forum was the presentation of the Strategic Plan for the Urban Greenery Management in Ivano-Frankivsk and Rzeszów, presented by the document’s curator, Olga Zakapko. The document aims to establish a modern approach to greenery management, ensuring its preservation and development in line with community needs and the challenges of climate change. It is available to all interested persons at https://parks.if.ua/files/strategic-plan.pdf  

During the first panel, participants discussed the importance of green infrastructure for creating a comfortable urban environment, the role of nature conservation areas in the sustainable development of communities, the importance of environmental education, and the creation of barrier-free recreational spaces.

The second panel focused on standards for the care and maintenance of urban greenery. Experts discussed modern approaches to assessing the condition of trees and green spaces, the development of arboriculture in Ukraine, the adoption of European greening practices, and new approaches to managing urban parks with an emphasis on biodiversity and community engagement.

During the third panel, participants learned about modern greening practices and innovative solutions for the development of public spaces. Key topics included finding a balance between residents’ needs and environmental conservation, as well as new approaches to the design of urban spaces.

We thank all speakers, participants, and partners for the active dialogue, professional discussions, and collaborative work on the future of urban green spaces. 

The project ‘City Parks Matter - a new approach to urban greenry management in Ivano-Frankivsk and Rzeszów (ParksMatter)’ is implemented within the framework of the Interreg Next Poland-Ukraine 2021-2027 programme. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of its authors and can in no way be taken to reflect the position of the European Union.

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