Wild This, Wild That
Shared V4 Visions for Re-Naturing the City
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PARTNERS
The project brings together a strong network of universities and research institutions across Central and Eastern Europe, united by a shared commitment to exploring how rewilding can reshape urban futures. Anchored by the University of Gdańsk in Poland, the consortium spans four Visegrad countries—Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland—and extends to Ukraine as a collaborative partner. Each institution contributes distinct expertise, ranging from sustainable settlement planning and urban ecology to regional development and socio-environmental research. This diversity of perspectives ensures that the project benefits from both disciplinary depth and cross-national comparison.
The four V4 cities—Ostrava, Pécs, Gdańsk, and Prešov—serve as the main case studies, each representing a unique urban context shaped by its history, ecology, and governance challenges. To these, Uzhhorod, Ukraine, has been added as a collaborative study city, extending the project’s scope beyond the EU while reinforcing regional solidarity. Uzhhorod’s position at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains highlights the strong interconnections between natural landscapes and urban development, making it an invaluable comparative case. Together, the five cities and their partner institutions form a living laboratory, where insights can be shared, strategies tested, and new approaches to urban–nature integration developed. The map below highlights the geographic distribution of these cities, underscoring both their individual importance and their collective significance as a cross-regional network for re-naturing the city.
The University of Gdańsk is one of the largest academic institutions in northern Poland and a leader in interdisciplinary sustainability research. Through its Faculty of Economics, the University of Gdańsk has developed strong expertise in urban ecology, resource management, and applied socio-environmental research. As lead institution, UG provides coordination, supervision of deliverables, and ensures the project’s regional and international visibility.
Key Coordinator:
Prof. Giuseppe T. Cirella – Project Coordinator
Role: Oversees project design, coordination, deliverables, and international dissemination.
Case Study City: Gdańsk
Focus: Coastal city rewilding, integration of green-blue infrastructure, and community engagement in post-industrial contexts.
The Institute for Sustainable Development of Settlements (IURS) specializes in urban regeneration, spatial planning, and sustainable urban mobility. Based in Ostrava, it is deeply engaged in post-industrial urban transitions and has extensive experience in working with municipalities, NGOs, and communities on practical urban sustainability projects. IURS contributes applied knowledge and strong local networks to the project.
Key Coordinator: Prof. Barbara Vojvodíková
Role: Leads case study research in Ostrava and coordinates digital dissemination.
Case Study City: Ostrava
Focus: Post-industrial landscape regeneration, ecological corridors, and adaptive reuse of urban spaces.
The Centre for Economic and Regional Studies (CERS), part of Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), is a leading Hungarian institute for regional development and environmental policy research. With expertise in sustainability governance and EU policy frameworks, the institute brings critical knowledge for aligning urban rewilding strategies with policy applications. CERS plays a central role in synthesizing findings into policy recommendations.
Key Coordinator: Prof. Viktor Varjú
Role: Leads case study in Pécs and coordinates policy-oriented outputs, including the Policy Brief.
Case Study City: Pécs
Focus: Urban rewilding in cultural heritage settings, balancing historical preservation with ecological restoration.
The University of Prešov is a key academic institution in eastern Slovakia with strong traditions in regional development, geography, and community-based sustainability studies. Its research emphasizes environmental education, participatory planning, and socio-ecological systems. The university’s involvement ensures that community engagement and educational outreach are fully integrated into the project.
Key Coordinator: Prof. Jana Chovancová
Role: Coordinates case study in Prešov, leads toolkit development, and ensures integration of education and community engagement.
Case Study City: Prešov
Focus: Small-to-medium-sized city strategies for green infrastructure and civic participation in urban–nature connections.
Uzhhorod National University is one of Ukraine’s leading higher education institutions, located at the crossroads of Central and Eastern Europe. With strong faculties in urban planning, landscape architecture, and environmental management, it brings valuable cross-border expertise to the project. Its participation emphasizes both the ecological importance of the Carpathian region and the spirit of solidarity with Ukraine during a time of profound challenges.
Key Coordinator: Prof. Diana Kaynts, Head of the Department of Urban Construction and Economy
Role: Leads collaborative case study in Uzhhorod, contributes to toolkit testing, and ensures cross-border knowledge transfer.
Collaborative Study City: Uzhhorod
Focus: Carpathian-linked rewilding strategies, ecological corridors, and resilience planning in a border city context.
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