Networking the Advantage of urban forests

The City of Ljubljana – European Green Capital of 2016 – has taken a leading role in the partnership for sustainable management of urban forests. Therefor the Partners of the Interreg-Project “URBforDAN – Management and Utilization of Urban Forests as Natural Heritage in Danube Cities” have joined hands at a kick-off meeting in Ljubljana in September.

And since then the project is fully on the run! For now we would like to introduce to you the focus areas in the seven Partner cities:

Ljubljana

Golovec hill represents one of those urban forests in Ljubljana that offer its visitors some peace and quiet, a shelter from daily bustle, a place to slow down the fast urban beat and to recharge their batteries. The area in the southeast part of Ljubljana is covering more than 600 hectare and has been chosen as pilot area due to its diverse ownership and low level of owners’ cooperation.

Zagreb

The Croatian Park forest Grmošćica is located in the western part of Zagreb, surrounded by settlements and most used by the local population. It has an important role as a natural habitat for the wildlife but is also essential for the citizens of Zagreb as a meeting point in their free time for recreation and relaxation in nature. 

Belgrade

Avala mountain in Serbia towers with its height of 506 meters high above the city of Belgrade. It’s the only cinnabarite spot in Serbia and well-known for its mineral deposits from the ancient and pre-Roman times. The low mountain is characterized by a diverse and specific pedological structure and favourable climate. It is extremely rich in vegetation and floristic elements. 

Cluj-Napoca

Făget Forest is located in the north-west of Transylvania, in the south of the city of Cluj-Napoca. The forest is distinguished by the presence of forests of oak, beech and hornbeam. There are also specimens of pedunculate oak, cherry, lime, hornbeam or jug. Făget Forest is one of the eldest and most appreciated recreational areas, it is also one of the most frequented areas around the town.

Ivano-Frankivsk

The Vovchynets Hills of the city Ivano-Frankivsk in the Western Ukraine occupy an area of 20 hectares. It's the only urban forest in Ivano-Frankivsk occupying 75 percent of the total area of the Hills and equipped with 1,8 kilometer of recreational trails. The forest territory is the most attractive natural environment for the weekend rest in the city and attracts visitors of all ages.

Budapest

The 495-meter-tall Hármashatár Hill is lying on the hilly Buda side, in the II. district of Budapest. The area is surrounded by the landscape protection area of Buda which is part of the Natura 2000 network. The area is one of the most frequent areas for tourists heading to Buda-hills as it is located in the direct neighbourhood of Szépvölgyi residential area easily accessible by public transport, cycling or foot.

Vienna

The focus areas in Vienna are all located on the Danube Island, a flood protection structure work, 21 kilometers long. There are three URBforDAN destination areas: The „Zinkerbachl“, that is breeding ground for the kingfisher, a bay near the Reichsbrücke and the „Tote Grund“, an old floodplain forest.

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