Climate Quilts

We co-design and build many small gardens with residents, artists, students, researchers, and municipalities. Practical steps include agreeing local access, preparing the soil, planting native and climate-resilient species, and looking after each patch together. We measure changes in plants, insects, and soils, and we listen to people’s experiences using shared tools, including Futures Literacy workshops and the Value Wheel. Activities run in the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, and Estonia, with example sites such as Groningen’s SuikerTerrein, Palermo’s historic center, and fast-growing Viimsi near Tallinn. A playful “gamification” pilot in Palermo helps people use the sites more often.

Two annual cycles will establish community-designed quilts on underused urban plots via participatory eco-design, native planting, and urban farming, coupled with municipal agreements for access and maintenance. 
A before–after evaluation integrates: 
(a) biodiversity monitoring (plant/insect surveys; soil quality and soil-DNA metabarcoding) led by CREA and partners; 
(b) socio-cultural assessment using HUAS’s “Value Wheel,” Human Learning Systems phases, and Futures Literacy Labs; and 
(c) a gamification field trial in Palermo (MUV) to incentivise use of the sites. International exchanges, shared methods, and standardised 10×10 m plots support robust cross-site comparison and policy transfer.

Nature benefits could include healthier soil, more kinds of plants and pollinators, and cooler, greener corners in dense areas. Social benefits include new skills, stronger local ties, and more inclusive participation in shaping public space. The project will share what works through a video, short reports, training materials, and a practical toolkit so other cities can copy the approach. Evidence will support municipal policies on urban greening and climate adaptation, and the shared format makes it easier to scale through the DUT Knowledge Hub.

We expect measurable gains in local biodiversity (species richness/functional diversity of flora, pollinators, and soil microbiota), improved soil condition, and evidence of enhanced ecosystem function (habitat provision, potential cooling). Socially, we anticipate stronger community participation, inclusion of under-served groups, and durable stewardship capacities. Outputs include baseline/mid-term/final monitoring reports, educational materials, a practical toolkit, a documentary, academic publications, and policy advice for partner cities. The transnational protocol (standard plot + shared indicators) is designed for replication and scaling through the DUT Knowledge Hub, informing urban greening and adaptation strategies beyond the four pilot contexts.