“Periurban Parks, their place in EU policies”: EUROPARC presented its position paper

A position paper highlighting the importance of Periurban Parks in a large variety of different EU policies has been presented at the last EUROPARC General Assembly, during EUROPARC Conference 2019 in Latvia.

At the EUROPARC General Assembly during the Conference 2019 in Latvia, the Periurban Commission launched a position paper highlighting the important role that Periurban Parks play in a large variety of different EU policies – not only on the most obvious environmental ones such as biodiversity and green infrastructure, but also on climate, agriculture, health, urban, sports and culture.

This position paper will be disseminated among the recently elected EU Parliament and among different DGs of the newly appointed EU Commission – DGENV, DG CLIMA, DG AGRI, DG SANTE, DG EAC, DG RTD, DG REGIO.

The aim of this position paper is:

• To make policy-makers and the general public realise that Periurban parks can help in dealing with many of the different challenges faced today by cities, such as climate change, mental and physical health and social issues.
• To make local authorities actively involved in the protection of the remaining valuable nature in the city’s vicinity and so derive the many benefits Periurban Parks can bring.
• To make the EU and national and regional authorities recognise the contribution of Periurban Parks to biodiversity protection, ecosystem services, agriculture, health, urban and cultural agendas with appropriate financial, legal and political engagement.

Periurban Parks are Protected Areas – including Natura 2000 sites – located in the vicinity of cities. They are wilder, substantially larger and with more biodiversity than most common urban parks. This is why they can deliver multiple services like clean air and temperature control, fresh water, food and timber production, and habitats for biodiversity, while at the same time they provide citizens with cultural green spaces for recreation, education and outdoor sports in a healthy natural environment.

EUROPARC currently gathers several Periurban Parks serving some medium and large European cities:

The full position paper can be downloaded here: Periurban Parks and EU policies_EUROPARC Position Paper

This position paper has been prepared by Teresa Pastor, EUROPARC staff member coordinating the Periurban Commission and Carole Ritchie, the executive director. The Periurban Commission was formed right after the integration of FEDENATUR within EUROPARC Federation. It is currently formed by Marià Martí, managing director of the Collserola Natural Park in Barcelona; Riccardo Gini, managing director of the North Milan Park in Milano; Alberto Girani, managing director of the Parco di Portofino in Santa Margaritha de Ligure; Fernando Louro Alves, counsellor of the Monsanto Forest Park in Lisbon; and Anne Huger, managing director of the Arche de la Nature in Le Mans.