A scientific demonstrator site in Lower Botanic Gardens has been unearthing a labour of love and ingenuity as part of the European UPSURGE project.

UPSURGE is fast-forwarding the benefit of nature-based solutions by testing concepts in five cities across Europe. Co-designed by researchers from Queen’s University and Belfast City Council, the Belfast demonstrator site features a soil-research testing area and an agro-ecological community garden which is supporting urban food growing.

Environmental sensors on site are monitoring the impact that the various greening interventions are having on air pollution, temperature, humidity, biodiversity and soil contamination, providing a practical and innovative response to the challenges that the city faces around climate change. As part of the visit, the group was able to discuss learnings and best practice, including how rain gardens designed and tested by Budapest can inspire others to test sustainable urban drainage on their demonstrator sites.

Professor Jennifer McKinley, Research Lead at the Queen’s University School of Natural and Built Environment, said the meeting of European partners in Belfast represented a valuable opportunity to share findings so far and build new connections between the UPSURGE consortium, EU representatives and the city of Belfast. She said:

“This project was co-created by all the partners – research scientists, government and community groups. We’ve already learned so much from the Belfast demonstrator site at Lower Botanic and have been delighted with progress over the past two years.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to share these learnings with our European partners and to hear about progress in other demonstrator sites. The whole point of the project is that we can share evidence and best practice for the most successful nature-based solutions – the ones that will really make a difference to mitigating the climate crisis and providing new, more nature-friendly solutions to the environmental challenges of city dwelling.”

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray was delighted to welcome the European partners to the UPSURGE site. He said:

“As one of only 5 European cities involved in the UPSURGE project, this living lab is showcasing how Belfast is playing its part in climate resilience. By blending community action with academic research, UPSURGE is accelerating climate action through collaboration. The ongoing contribution of community groups, researchers and Belfast City Council is instrumental in testing the future of green spaces while improving the quality of life for residents.”

These thoughts were echoed by the European UPSURGE Project Coordinator Darko Ferčej, who said:

"This visit to Belfast is an important milestone for the UPSURGE project. It’s been an invaluable opportunity to chart our progress and share our learnings. It’s wonderful to see first-hand how the Belfast model is making a difference, and it presents the city as an example of best practice to others. Belfast joins Budapest in Hungary, Katowice in Poland, Maribor in Slovenia and Breda in The Netherlands in showcasing how renaturing urban space can address challenges of air pollution and carbon footprint."

Over the next 17 months, the UPSURGE site in Lower Botanic will run a public programme of activity to share how these spaces remove pollution, boost biodiversity, improve access to sustainable food and create healthier environments for the city and beyond.

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Inquiries to Una Bradley u.bradley@qub.ac.uk