EU project INTERLACE
From August 2020 to February 2025, the city of Chemnitz took part in the Horizon-funded EU project INTERLACE as a city partner. The aim of the project was to promote the use of so-called nature-based solutions for the renaturalisation of ecosystems in European and Latin American cities. The project enabled city council employees, as well as citizens, organisations and companies, to work together in new and creative ways - for a better future for all.
The INTERLACE project aims to valorise derelict land through nature-based solutions. The aim is to create new habitats and improve the quality of life for the local population. The aim is to counteract overheating on hot summer days with more vegetation and water features.
These activities are accompanied by a participatory process to strengthen environmental education.
INTERLACE goes hand in hand with the work on Chemnitz's masterplan for urban nature. By participating in this project, Chemnitz aims to become more liveable, adaptable and resilient.
The project is funded by the European Union. In addition to Chemnitz, five other cities from Europe and South America are involved.
The first stakeholder round took place on 18 March 2021. Representatives from local nature conservation initiatives, environmental education institutions, universities and the city administration took part. From now on, such meetings will take place every six months to provide information and concretise projects.
Why are nature-based solutions important?
Cities are currently facing various challenges: The effects of climate change on the health and well-being of residents, securing economic development and prosperity, and protecting the environment and biodiversity. One possible approach to meeting these challenges is nature-based solutions (NbS). These are solutions that utilise nature or natural processes and are inspired and supported by nature. This creates new habitats and improves the quality of life for the population. Vital vegetation spread throughout the city and the enhancement of river courses and water areas counteract overheating on hot summer days.
Further information
FAQ
INTERLACE stands for INTERnationalcooperation to connect and restore urban environments in LatinAmeriCaand Europe- "International cooperation to connect and restore urban ecosystems in Latin America and Europe". It is a project to restore nature in European and Latin American cities. The project uses nature-based solutions (NbS) to solve the current and future challenges of cities in terms of climate change, health, human well-being, economic development, wildlife protection and many more. It provides an opportunity for city governments, residents, organisations and businesses to work together in new and creative ways for a better future for all.
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 869324.
The EU INTERLACE project aims to support European and CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) cities to effectively (re)build urban ecosystems in order to create more liveable, resilient and inclusive cities. The urban ecosystems are to be restored and rehabilitated with the help of nature-based solutions (NbS).
In Chemnitz, the focus is on the renaturalisation of brownfield sites and environmental education. This restores urban ecosystems and supports environmental education to make cities more liveable, resilient and inclusive.
At the same time, the applied nature-based solutions provide health, economic and social benefits for the people of Chemnitz.
Nature - Places - People
Nature:
- supports nature and biodiversity through the creation of new green spaces and the restoration of degraded ecosystems
Places:
- Promotes the shared use of places to support exchanges between urban and rural populations and to the administration
People:
- Strengthens the connection of urban people to each other as well as to the natural environment
The INTERLACE project was integrated into the work of the City of Chemnitz's Urban Nature team and was carried out by staff from the City Planning Department and the Environmental Department. The project was a collaborative partnership that brought together city authorities, citizens, organisations and businesses to create a better future for all.
A total of six cities in Europe and Latin America took part in INTERLACE:
- Granollers (Spain),
- Envigado (Colombia),
- Portoviejo (Ecuador),
- Chemnitz (Germany),
- Metropolia Krakowska (Poland) and
- Corredor Biológico Interurbano Río María Aguilar-San José (Costa Rica).
A total of €5 million has been invested in the six cities, which are all working together to share their experiences, strategies, tools and solutions.
Nature-based solutions (NbS) utilise nature to solve some of society's most difficult challenges.
They are solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, are cost-effective, provide environmental, social and economic benefits, and help build resilience.
Nature-based solutions bring more and diverse nature and processes to cities, landscapes and seascapes through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions. Nature-based solutions contribute to biodiversity and the provision of a range of ecosystem services. Nature-based solutions create opportunities for city governments, residents, organisations and businesses to come together and collaborate in new and creative ways for a better future for all.
That was INTERLACE
Project meeting
Further training on NbS projects and mutual dialogue took place at regular project meetings.
Cities Talk Nature
In monthly online conferences, cities exchanged views on nature-based solutions at a global level. A total of 1,173 city representatives from 92 countries took part during the project period.
more
Urban Nature Conference in Chemnitz
The Cities Talk Nature conference of the INTERLACE project took place in Chemnitz on 11 and 12 May 2023 under the title "Tapping land potential for urban nature".
"The river, the city and me" painting competition
Photo and painting competition for children and young people aged between 7 and 17 with the theme "The river, the city and me".
Sustainable urban development with Minecraft
With the help of the video game Minecraft, children and young people are discovering the importance of nature-based solutions for cities.
Climate rally
Die Rallye umfasst sechs Stationen, an denen die Spielenden mehr über die Folgen des Klimawandels und mögliche Anpassungsmaßnahmen lernen - durch Quizfragen, Erklärungen und kleine Aufgaben.
The rally comprises six stations where players learn more about the consequences of climate change and possible adaptation measures - through quiz questions, explanations and small tasks.
Climate Day at Südlicher Sonnenberg Primary School
In September 2024, the first Climate Day was held at Südlicher Sonnenberg primary school with the support of INTERLACE.
Make it greener campaign
INTERLACE launched the Mach's Grüner 2023 campaign in the city of Chemnitz. The campaign draws attention to the importance of green and blue in the city. Various events are organised every year to coincide with Climate Adaptation Week.
Green roof garage campus
Together with the European Creative Roof Network (ECRN) project, a green roof will be realised on a Percola next to the garage campus by summer 2025.
