The Galway National Park City initiative with President Michael D Higgins as its patron recently launched a website in the hope that it will become a major resource and information hub in helping to integrate nature into the fabric of the city.
According to Brendan Smith, Galway National Park City convenor, “The website at www.galwaynationalparkcity.com is about highlighting and bringing together at one virtual place all of the wonderful activities, projects and programmes taking place across all sectors, from schools to businesses, communities and research institutes, in developing an urban environment that recognises the importance of nature in our everyday lives.
“It comes with an impressive colourful iconic Swan logo and branding with each element representing some aspect of Galway life, that was created by our champion Claire Lillis and the marketing team at Aerogen.
“Ireland has signed up to international agreements to tackle climate change, increase biodiversity and to promote sustainability in our economic framework. The Galway National Park City is about introducing nature everywhere, not just in parks, but also in our buildings, streetscapes and workplaces as the natural world can be our most powerful ally against flooding, in reducing energy costs and in enhancing our personal wellbeing.
Rewilding
Rewilding in the form of creating habitats for native species, from rooftop gardens to planting trees and hedgerows along roads and in developing green spaces in our neighbourhoods, is more than just making cities more beautiful.
For the evidence clearly demonstrates that reconnecting with nature lowers crime rates, improves air quality, creates jobs, and contributes to social cohesion in local communities and at workplaces. As our national champion Duncan Stewart recently said this initiative can make Galway the Lighthouse of the world
“So thankfully the people of Galway are starting to take the National Park City to their hearts and to implement its principles. The Irish Doctors for the Environment, Galway Children and Young People’s Services and Galway City Community Network were among many organisations that made submissions to the Galway City Development Plan calling for the transformation of Galway into a National Park City.
We now have over 100 champions of all ages and from all walks of life, who as individuals and organisations serve as role models for others in their professions towards implementing positive change and in collaborating with different sectors to do so. At our recent champions meeting, inspired by presentations from our champions 11-yea- old Aisling Nic Aonghusa and 13-year old Jack Keaney on their proposals for Outdoor Classrooms and Labs, it was decided to work with schools and youth groups in setting up both a Children’s Forum and a Youth Forum where the voices of the pre-teens and teens can be regularly heard on how to provide living space to biodiversity and the benefits that it will bring to us all.
Champions from Energy NUI Galway and Rethink are finalising a free online Green Directory on local repair and recycle services as part of a new Circular Economy drive.
There is also a webinar planned- involving SAP, NUI Galway, GMIT, Architects at the Edge, Avaya and other champions- organised for the benefit of all local workplaces, policy makers, planners, developers, communities and environmentalists on the topic of green infrastructure, the built environment, planning and sustainability in Galway, which will showcase best practice in the city and elsewhere on greening initiatives supported by the use of smart technologies at home and at work. Our walking, cycling and ecology advocates are presently working together at present to develop safe trails across the city, some of which are already included on our website.
“We recognise too and compliment Galway City Council for its success in securing monies under the Urban Regeneration Funds to rebuild the old railway bridge over the Corrib as part of the Connemara Greenway. The unprecedented global problems caused by Climate Change means that all strata of local society needs to play its part and to collaborate in a renewed sense of respectful partnership to come up with real solutions.”
