Bio-Centric Communities, Navigating Nature, Embracing Ecosystems, and Championing Technology
B-CONNECT Bistrița is paving the way for medium-sized cities to accelerate their green transformation by testing a high-performing toolkit of complementary urban solutions. From real-time monitoring and responsive urban management to small-scale tactical interventions and new methods for stakeholder engagement, the project equips the city with practical instruments that strengthen its capacity to respond, adapt and transform. Together, these tools build urban resilience by design, enabling the city to adapt more effectively to emerging environmental, social and mobility pressures.
B-CONNECT is driven by the urgent need to address critical environmental issues in Bistrita. The project pioneers a multifaceted solution through a new approach: biophilic-centred tactical urbanism. It uses small-scale, community-driven interventions to bring impactful changes to the urban landscape. Despite relevant achievements for the green transition, Bistrita recognised the need for bolder approaches, aspiring to be Romania's most innovative city – a biophilic city, NBS-driven, with a real-time environmental monitoring and adaptive response system, striving for clean air and a green city, achieved through intertwining: PEOPLE–PLACES connection: a real-time monitoring and response digital platform, which combines hard data with community-driven insights. Residents are empowered with information about their city's environment, encouraging more eco-conscious behaviour and action pathways. 50 Air Quality sensors and 15 Meteo Stations for monitoring urban climate 30+ traffic cameras for monitoring commute and traffic patterns 5+ Adaptive LED panels for real-time response 6 Smart Mobility Hubs for 180 bike park spots 1 Citizen Observatory platform (integrated in the municipality app iReport) 1 Autonomous Robot and AI entity PEOPLE–NATURE connection: actions addressing challenges like biodiversity loss and GI management through innovative approaches, such as mobile hydroponic towers and pollinator-friendly and drought-tolerant NBS, which will enhance the city's green landscape, provide cleaner air and revitalise urban spaces. 50+ Hydroponic Towers installed in 11 schools 4 Green Walls in 2 schools, totalling 150sqm 4 NBS deployed in 20+ green pockets in collective housing neighbourhoods, regenerating 25000+ sqm 3 Green Corridor pilots for improvement of urban comfort for pedestrians 1 Blue-green Corridor for biodiversity enhancement and citizens' reconnection with waterscapes PEOPLE–PEOPLE connection: a key to urban resilience, empowering actors for decision-making and creating a SHARED and ASSUMED VISION. Urban resilience is helped by enhanced collaboration through citizen platforms, citizen reward tokens, and mobile creative hubs. 3 Creative Hubs shared between 10+ schools (mobile caravans) 2 Local Action Networks: Urban Explorer (engaging youth in exploratory exercises for understanding the city challenges and how to solve them), CLIN Bistrita (multi-actor team for adapting BCONNECT solutions on medium-long term for strengthening urban resilience)
