Visionary Nature-based Actions for Health, Well-being and Resilience in Cities – VARCITIES

“The vision of VARCITIES is to implement nature-based actions in cities. We help to establish sustainable models for increasing the health and well-being of citizens exposed to different climatic conditions and challenges.”

In an increasingly urbanised world, cities face several challenges and threats and struggle to propose credible urban futures and new opportunities for their citizens. VARCITIES is an ambitious project that puts the citizens and the “human communities” at the centre of future cities’ vision, believing that future cities should become entirely human-centred.

The project officially started in September 2020 and will last until February 2025. The Consortium is composed of 25 partners under the lead of the Telecommunication System Institute (TSI). Eight Pilot Cities will test and implement a series of innovative nature-based actions.

The vision of VARCITIES is to implement fundamental, visionary ideas and add value by establishing sustainable models for increasing the health and well-being of citizens: children, young people, middle-aged, and the elderly, who are exposed to diverse climatic conditions and challenges in and around Europe. VARCITIES sets the ambitious target to advance innovation across different urban scales by fully exploiting nature-based solutions from a digital, social and cultural perspective. Public spaces are envisioned as people-centred areas that support citizens’ creativity, inclusivity, health, and happiness.