The PilotGreen project develops new and innovative green infrastructure solutions by testing them together with businesses, cities and city residents.
New and creative solutions for green infrastructure, i.e. strategically planned networks of green spaces, are necessary to adapt to climate change. Green spaces enhance biodiversity and improve the comfort and wellbeing of residents in a dense urban environment.
Well-designed and diverse vegetated areas reduce the risk of flooding, act as carbon sinks, cool and clean urban air, reduce noise and provide residents with environments rich in experiences.
Objective
The PilotGreen project aims to stimulate the business of green infrastructure companies and support the construction of an urban environment that is climate-resilient and delivers various ecosystem services, i.e. benefits from nature.
The project also expands and deepens research, development and innovation cooperation between the regions of Uusimaa and Päijät-Häme, and renews the green infrastructure sector by bringing in new operators.
The project brings together companies, technology operators, cities and residents to test and develop creative and open-minded solutions to shake up the sector. These experiments will take place in Helsinki, Lahti and Metropolia’s living lab facilities.
Particular attention will be paid to new types of green infrastructure solutions, such as modular solutions and those integrated into buildings, as well as the related use of digitalisation. Sustainable development, carbon neutrality, circularity and the scalability of the pilots are key perspectives of the project.
During the project, companies will receive tools and knowledge to develop completely new kinds of green infrastructure solutions that are particularly suitable for dense urban environments. The pilots will provide the participants with networking opportunities both at home and internationally.
Cities and municipalities will gain an understanding of the usability and impact of the solutions, as well as the skills to procure green infrastructure solutions. Another aim is to commit public sector operators to green infrastructure investments.
PilotGreen builds on the experiences of and lessons learned from previous projects, in particular B.Green (page in Finnish) and Virtual Verdure.
Duration, partners and funding
Duration: The project will run from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2025.
Partners: The project is being carried out by Forum Virium Helsinki, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and LAB University of Applied Sciences.
Funding: The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The authority responsible for supervising the funding is the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council.
Budget: The project has a total budget of 1,250,000 euros, of which Forum Virium Helsinki’s share is 594,166 euros.
The role of Forum Virium Helsinki
Forum Virium Helsinki is responsible for coordinating the project and the solutions to be piloted in different parts of Helsinki. These will be selected via an open call for projects. The pilot environments are the Helsinki Innovation Districts of Malmi, Malminkartano-Kannelmäki, Mellunkylä, Pasila and Kalasatama.
Forum Virium Helsinki is also responsible for the project’s communications and the dissemination of the results to the cities and municipalities of Uusimaa and Päijät-Häme, and more widely throughout Southern Finland.
Benefits for Helsinki
The project will provide the City with information on the usability, impact and procurement practices of green infrastructure solutions.
The pilots in different areas of Helsinki provide the City with the know-how to act as a testbed for green infrastructure. The solutions developed will make the areas more attractive, comfortable and adaptable to the changing climate. The project collaborates with operators such as the Testbed Helsinki platform, the Urban Development Unit and the Economic Development Department.
Responsibility
The green infrastructure innovations developed in the PilotGreen project will support environmental sustainability and cities’ adaptation to climate change. The project prioritises solutions that use natural resources in a sustainable way and make use of circular economy principles and renewable energy sources.
The project promotes business opportunities and demand for sustainably produced green infrastructure solutions. It also increases the environmental skills of operators in the field.
Social sustainability is supported by improving comfort and the wellbeing of different groups of people in the suburban regeneration areas. The project also aims to even out the gender balance in the fields of green infrastructure and technology.
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The PilotGreen project (January 2023–December 2025) aims to make cities greener and more comfortable by piloting new green infrastructure solutions in partnership with businesses, cities and residents. The project is coordinated by Forum Virium Helsinki, and the project partners are Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and LAB University of Applied Sciences. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund.