HERA project (Heat Island Effect Reduction Action) has come to an end after a fruitful year. The project has implemented different pilots which were selected after a thorough analysis of the current green infrastructure in the cities of Bethlehem, Jerash and Saida, and part of the green infrastructure strategy developed in each city during NATUREMED project.

Through the implementation of different pilots, the project has demonstrated how green infrastructure can enhance different aspects of a city’s daily life:

In Bethlehem, the pilot has consisted of the naturalization of a section of Jerusalem-Hebron Road, by increasing trees in the sidewalks and shrubs in the median. This provides shadows and decreases air temperature in the hottest months, contributing to reducing CO2 makes the street more beautiful and appealing, providing more pedestrians to its shops.

In Jerash, HERA project has rehabilitated and naturalised a section of the municipal park. This includes the enhancement of the children’s playground and multi-purpose sheltered space, providing natural shadow and making the park greener, more biodiverse, and a climate shelter for summertime, contributing to increasing the city’s resilience to climate change.

In Saida, the action implemented has consisted of the densification of road median tree coverage, recognizing their crucial role in linking various green spaces across the city. These medians serve as the backbone of Saida’s green infrastructure network, playing an essential role in supporting nature and enhancing the quality of life for residents.

If you want to learn more about how increasing nature in cities can enhance the livelihood of its citizens, have a look at HERA’s project Leaflet (in English) or the informative panel (in Arabic) that has been installed in each one of the pilots.