#U_Lakes Blue oases of life in the heart of the city

Within the information and awareness-raising campaign envisaged by the UrbanLakes - Cross-border synergy for blue ecosystem preservation (U_Lakes) project, funded by the European Union through the Interreg Next VI-A Romania-Ukraine 2021–2027 programme, we share information about how urban water bodies become a home for biodiversity.

Blue ecosystems create real urban “oases” of nature, where hundreds of plant and animal species live. Rusanivski Lakes in Kyiv, White Lake in Kharkiv, and the city lakes of Ivano-Frankivsk support the lives of birds, fish, insects, and other small animals even in densely populated areas. These water bodies not only provide food and shelter for local species, but also form natural corridors for animal movement, helping to maintain ecological balance in cities.

Each such water body becomes a point of interaction between nature and the community. Urban lakes and ponds contribute to restoring the natural balance, help purify water, and reduce noise and heat loads in surrounding areas. Observing birds, fish, and aquatic plants improves people’s psychological well-being and creates new opportunities for learning, recreation, and environmental education.

Preserving blue ecosystems is not only about caring for nature, but also an investment in the comfort, health, and quality of life of residents. Every lake is not simply a landscape feature, but a vital component of the urban environment that brings people and nature together, making the city more resilient and pleasant to live in.

This publication has been produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Executive Committee of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the management structures of the Interreg VI-A NEXT 2021-2027 Romania-Ukraine Program.

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