Cities across North-West Europe (NWE) are stepping up to meet the challenges of climate change with the launch of GreenDense, an ambitious initiative that reimagines how green infrastructure (GI) can transform dense urban environments. Facing rising heat, pollution, and flooding, dense urban areas are among the hardest hit by climate impacts—and the most difficult to green. GreenDense is here to change that.
The project introduces a creative approach to GI: “mosaic” green spaces. Rather than focusing solely on large parks or sweeping gardens, GreenDense works with what’s available, turning small, interconnected patches of greenery into vibrant networks tailored to the needs of local communities. These mosaics provide critical climate resilience, cooling urban heat, absorbing rainwater, enhancing biodiversity, and offering havens for people to connect and thrive.
Spanning six cities across five countries—the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, and France—GreenDense partners with urban ecology and placemaking experts to co-create bespoke solutions. In collaboration with residents and businesses, these cities are turning compact interventions into meaningful change.
The benefits of GreenDense extend far beyond aesthetics. The GI mosaics improve physical and mental health, foster community cohesion, and align with policy agendas for health, active mobility, and youth engagement. These innovative solutions are sustainable and scalable, setting the stage for long-term impact.
The six pilot projects are just the beginning. The tools and strategies developed through GreenDense will scale to 35 city areas and influence policies across NWE, reaching an additional five cities and over 170 participants. By proving what’s possible, GreenDense paves the way for healthier, greener, and more resilient cities throughout the region.