IFLA EUROPE YEARBOOK 2016 The futurescape design needs to rethink how to introduce urban dwellers back into nature. How to establish the connection with the environment that can heal the people in the cities? The other aspect that must be taken into consideration is creating the spaces accessible for everybody. From that perspective, there are two examples from Estonia One of the projects is carried out in Estonian fourth largest town Pärnu: URBANCOWS - Restoration and public access of coastal meadow complex in an urban environment. The overall goal of the project is to improve the favourable conservation status of the coastal meadow and lagoon habitats in Pärnu town as well as the species characteristic to this habitat complex. The coastal meadows of Pärnu town have been overgrown with reed after the grazing stopped there in 1970-1980’s. It is necessary to reintroduce grazing for sustainable management, though it is challenging because the area is situated next to a beach that is regularly used by more than 10 000 people. The aim of the project is to establish necessary infrastructure for grazing (fences, shelters) in the urban environment and at the same time bring people into interaction with nature and raise the awareness of the natural values of the area (hiking trail).
ESTONIAN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS’ UNION (ELAU)
Urban cows and garden of senses
TEELE NIGOLA, IFLA EUROPE DELEGATE
Pärnu: URBANCOWS © www.visitestonia.com
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