Varaždin
InterACT Green - Green infrastructure InterACTive management and regeneration tested through River Drava Forest Park in Varaždin
About the project
Rich in history and architecture, the Agglomeration of Varaždin and Ludbreg is situated in Varaždin County, northern Croatia. The territory includes the River Drava Forest Park – a protected 95-hectare natural area of high strategic interest for the agglomeration. While management of any urban green area poses numerous challenges, the task is made even more complex by Drava park’s four levels of environmental protection. These are: Croatia/Hungary Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve; Natura 2000; Regional Park Mura – Drava; and Protected Forest-Park & Botanical nature monument.
Despite its enormous natural and recreational potential, today the park is a neglected and underused space, in need of forest regeneration processes and infrastructure revitalisation.
This project aims to close the circle between citizens, city decision-makers and experts by using diverse existing digital tools, combined in an innovative way. The PLATFORM will support the digital interdisciplinary management of Drava Forest Park, united under one user interface. This will enable smooth decision-making and communication between all the shareholders, encouraging timely, direct and sustainable management. It will also provide citizens with visiting and other information on this quadruply protected natural area of international importance.
Accompanying infrastructure and forest regeneration activities will result in public spaces that are of high quality, inclusive and safe. Several investments are planned in the Drava Forest, with expected results including: Riverfront InterACTive regeneration; Forest squares and lanes with urban equipment; River Peak with art sculpture and Viewpoint; new signage and fencing.
Challenges
While the River Drava Forest Park provides valuable urban green infrastructure, it faces multiple challenges, in particular management difficulties, unused public space, and forest degradation. An integrated solution is needed to address these challenges and revitalise the park for the benefit of the local community.
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Sustainable management of urban and peri-urban forests requires long-term vision and planning. Plans need to be aligned with other municipal policies and programmes, and developed with the local community to provide ambition and direction.
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Drava Forest Park has become neglected and underused, despite its enormous natural and recreational potential. It has provided a recreational area for citizens of Varaždin County since the 19th century.
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The Drava forest ecosystem is in poor health. A long-term regeneration programme needs to be developed, taking into account multiple stakeholders and environmental restrictions.
Proposed solutions
Urban forest parks, being the backbone of urban green infrastructure, are essential for urban areas and communities. They provide a wide range of ecosystem services whose benefits are increasingly recognised. But, in order to provide such benefits, urban forest parks need to be properly managed and designed. This project provides several solutions.
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New, tailor-made digital infrastructure. The PLATFORM is a framework of digital services answering complex management and user needs. These include an operating system, data services, cloud services, applications and web pages.
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Physical infrastructure regeneration, aligned with New European Bauhaus values. Integral and holistic revitalisation based on partnership and InterACTion is vital to enrich the region with an organised urban green public space – River Drava Forest Park.
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Investment in the park’s physical regeneration, with the New European Bauhaus values at its core, will make a lasting contribution to the whole region. Forest revitalisation activities will secure the long-term sustainability of the forest ecosystem.
Milestones
The digital interdisciplinary management of Drava Park is united under one user interface, known as the PLATFORM
Previously abandoned space is revitalised and ready for visitors
This solution brings new dynamism and contrast to the natural space of the forest
Visitors come to the River Peak area for its special landscape, atmosphere and artwork
Forest regeneration in specifically defined locations in River Drava Forest Park