Project
Title
Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Soil Restoration through Living Labs
Acronym
URSOILL
Start
01.09.2025
End
28.02.2030
Coordinating Institute
Research Institutes of Sweden, Agrifood and Bioscience
Contact
Partner
ZABALA INNOVATION CONSULTING, S.A.
Technische Universität München
Greenovate! Europe
INNOVHUB - STAZIONI SPERIMENTALI PER LINDUSTRIA SRL
Politecnico di Milano
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO
Stichting Institute for Urban Excellence
ESKILARA S KOOP TXIKIA
EUROPEAN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION INSTITUTE (ESCI) GGMBH
ASOCIACION EMPRESARIAL CENTRO TECNOLOGICO DE LA ENERGIA Y DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE DE LA REGION DE MURCIA
Cluster Bioeconomy and Environment of Western Macedonia
Chliapas Anonymos Viomichaniki kai Emporiki Etairia Xylou
Comune di Torino
Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology
POLIEDRA Service and Consultancy Centre of the Polytechnic University of Milan for Environmental and Territorial Planning Consortium
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Ayuntamiento de Forua
Universidad del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
Centro de Estudios Ambientales
ASOCIACION EMPRESARIAL DE INVESTIGACION CENTRO TECNOLOGICO NACIONAL AGROALIMENTARIO EXTREMADURA
Municipality of Eordea (Dimos Eordaias)
Municipality of Kozani (Dimos Kozanis)
Region of Western Macedonia
(Perifereia Dytikis Makedonias)
University of Western Macedonia
Comune di Torino
Politecnico di Torino
Universita degli Studi di Torino
Citizens for Ecological Learning Living
Geoconseils S.A.
Interalia SA
Societe de Development Agora Sarl et Cie
GEWATEC Luxembourg SA
Comune di Milano
Universita degli Studi di Milano
Project team ATB
Allocated to research program
Summary
In the face of rapid urbanization, with 70% of the global population expected to live in cities by 2050 , urban soils have become critical in providing essential ecosystem services (ESs) supporting healthy urban ecosystems. Among the ESs urban soils are essential for regulating the carbon and water cycles, mitigating flooding risk and heat islands, provide provisioning services, such as supporting biodiversity and urban food production, and enhancing urban green spaces that improve mental and physical well-being, and landscape aesthetics.
Despite their importance, urban soils are often degraded by anthropogenic activities, including sealing, contamination with heavy metals, and compaction, which hinders their ability to provide ESs. This degradation poses risks to human and environmental health and worsens the effects of natural disasters like floods and heatwaves.
URSOILL aims to address these challenges by establishing a network of five Living Labs (LLs) across EU cities to serve as interactive platforms where local stakeholders collaborate to co-create, test, and implement innovative solutions for urban soil restoration. Each LL will focus on improving soil health, enhancing ecosystem services, and promoting sustainable land management through the use of innovative technologies and nature-based solutions (NBSs). URSOILL will adopt a multi-actor, interdisciplinary approach, engaging different stakeholders. By placing urban communities at the core, the project ensures that the solutions developed are not only scientifically validated but also socially and economically viable. The co-creation of solutions in real-world settings will allow for effective knowledge transfer, fostering long-term cooperation and facilitating the replication of successful practices in other urban areas. By restoring urban soils and enhancing their capacity to deliver essential ESs, URSOILL will help cities become more climate-resilient, sustainable, and livable.
Funding
Europäische Union (EU)
Funding agency
European Research Executive Agency
Grant agreement number
101219012
Funding framework
Horizon Europe, Call: HORIZON-MISS-2024-SOIL-01, Topic: HORIZON-MISS-2024-SOIL-01-02