These so-called ‘nature-based solutions’ alter the local ecological landscape to provide a more natural solution to flooding problems ‘This isn’t just making the environment look pretty,’ Dr Laurence Carvalho of the Freshwater Ecology Group told a conference in Brussels Dr Carvalho, based in Edinburgh, UK, gave the example of the Gorla Maggiore region in northern Italy, where a constructed wetland beside the Olona river has helped to fight flooding.The IssueIf nothing is done to rein in greenhouse gas emissions, the global sea level will have risen by 0.82 metres by the end of the century, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Fifth Assessment Report That would have dramatic consequences because it will mean higher storm surges higher temperatures and more frequent flash floods The EU is helping to tackling the issue through nature-based solutions, natural water retention measures and the introduction of green infrastructure the three-hectare site has been transformed into a wetland water park that functions as a place to both store rainwater and regulate river discharge The new reed ecosystem that has been introduced can also purify water for local land use which looks to spread the idea of ecosystem services says the wetland does more than just control floodwater While it offers the same levels of flood control as regular flood prevention measures the water park also helps control pollution gives a home to wildlife and offers recreational space for the community you can have forest squares … you can have all kinds of measures where you use the natural capital where you can use the ecosystem services to create value on different levels,’ Mari van Dreumel from the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment The idea is that the ecosystem is used in such a way that it creates value for society a lot of different issues need to be borne in mind at the same time ‘You need to take multiple issues simultaneously into consideration,’ MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen said ‘And this means interdisciplinary work in science You can’t figure out what the bigger picture of this puzzle is without the other pieces being given to you.’ To develop such transdisciplinary cooperation OpenNESS collaborated with the EU-funded OPERAs project to create the Oppla app an online platform that enables users throughout Europe to access scientific advice data and techniques for nature-based solutions.“‘You can have water parks ‘To some extent it’s like a matchmaking facility,’ said Prof Mark Rounsevell from the University of Endinburgh The Ask Oppla feature allows users to exchange advice and experience with researchers environmental NGOs and local land managers ‘If someone has a particular problem they need solving or might want to use a particular tool,’ said Prof ‘then we can point them in the direction of the experts who can provide them with the contextual information to support their decision making.’ Currently Oppla is in its prototype version but researchers are already being invited to exchange their advice and data on nature-based solutions on the website The full public launch of Oppla takes place in September. Users are invited to register at Oppla at www.Oppla.eu OpenNESS OPERAs Oppla Contact Horizon the hall is a project articulated through diversified construction systems and material solutions; inaugurated last April the facility responds to the city’s strong demand for sport Located on the outskirts of the city the new sports hall of Olgiate Olona built on the site of a pre-existing football pitch has a large public car park already in place on the entrance front; furthermore the outdoor area lends itself to integration with new outdoor sports fields in the future a multi-sports club born from the union of two basketball realities in the Olona Valley (Marnate and Gorla Maggiore) with the aim of creating a single educational-sports reference centre built around a precise basketball model The apparent linearity of the sports container – constrained in its proportions by the dimensional standards of the playing court – is animated in the project through the decomposition of the volume horizontally with the creation of two blocks that are materially different and the slippage of one with respect to the other by about 7 metres.This operation leads to the creation of an open portico that welcomes the public entrance; on the opposite front placed at the upper level of the grandstand for the public The playing area of the Olgiate Olona arena contains a basketball court flanked by a tribune that is partly fixed with three steps can accommodate approximately 350 seated spectators The changing rooms – in 4 separate blocks – are located at the rear of the court and have 2 independent entrances from the outside in direct connection with the athletes’ parking area On the opposite side of the pitch there are additional changing rooms as well as service and accessory rooms to the upper level where we have already seen the bar the gymnasium and the services for the public Four different construction systems can be identified The opaque basement with high static and thermal inertia consists of prefabricated solid walls The second level consists of a light metal structure that develops within the cavity of a double wall made of polycarbonate honeycomb with high thermal efficiency: this allows for the definition of a transparent envelope that guarantees natural lighting over all the sports areas The roof offers the following additional construction systems: a very light load-bearing structure consisting of pre-drilled steel beams with solid profiles (integrating air ducts in thickness); and a prefabricated roof deck with a metal sandwich and sound-absorbing false ceiling made of micro-perforated corrugated sheet metal the sound-absorbing false ceilings are made of mineralised wood wool panels The distribution of the loads on the foundations between the upper light structures and the heavy basement The building was designed according to the requirements of the NZEB regulations already in force in Lombardy Winter air-conditioning is of the radiant panels embedded in the floor and powered by a reversible heat pump; the air exchange system is divided into macro zones A forced-circulation solar system is planned to integrate the production of hot water composed of solar panels combined with a storage system and integrated to cope with the peaks of withdrawal in the event of a lack of sunshine by a fast-charging domestic hot water producer (running on methane gas) and a pre-heating circuit fed by the heat pump used for heating the system will be automatically managed to exploit the thermal energy captured by the solar panels that produced by the high-efficiency heat pump and finally the thermal energy developed by the methane gas producer Progettazione impianto elettrico e speciale: arch Direzione operativa strutture e impianti: F&M ingegneria Spa Privacy policy From Saturday 21 January to Sunday 29 January The tradition of this festival has two different historical roots which have developed over the years into two different rituals that divide the northern part of the province of Varese from the southern part Both are celebrated on the last Thursday of January because it traditionally marks the transition between the coldest time of the year and the beginning of a more conspicuous period the festival is more private and has its origines in the Puscene (from Latin post cenam=after dinner) of men and women the men's Puscena died out and the women's Puscena was transformed and began to include their children and husbands the tradition is celebrated under the name of Giöbia but under a positive meaning of recognition from the man to the woman for all that she does for the family men give their women a traditional heart-shaped cake as a symbol of gratitude the holiday originates from the legend of an old witch who lived in the woods and enjoyed spooking anyone who entered on the last Thursday of January she would go into the villages to eat children decided to set a trap for her cooking saffron risotto with luganega (sausage) The Giubiana fell into the trap and began to eat the risotto not realizing that in the meantime the sun began to rise and it killed her Since then it has been a tradition to have a bonfire with a puppet in the likeness of the Giubiana and then have dinner together with risotu cunt' a lüganiga (saffron and sausage risotto) Event programs in the province of Varese are being updated the Proloco of Oggiona con Santo Stefano is organizing it will be possible to dine at the gastronomic stand The Great Giöbia Bonfire will be held on Sunday 21st January Children will bring wishing cards to be burnt in the fire while it will be possible to drink chocolate or mulled wine offered by the Mercallo municipal administration together with a concert by the Fanfara dei Bersaglieri The proceeds will be donated to the C.A.O.S The traditional Brüsa la Giöbia event will return to Gallarate on Thursday 25th January This year it will be held in the Arnate district The evening will start at around 7.15 p.m. while the lighting of the bonfire is scheduled for 9.30 p.m It will also be possible to have dinner with the famous luganega risotto cooked in the typical Guinness World Records pot it will be possible to enjoy a portion of polenta and bruscitt or to warm up with a glass of tea or mulled wine while the notes of the Corpo Musicale Santa Cecilia will provide the backdrop for the feast and the burning of the Giöbia The lighting of the Giöbia bonfire is scheduled for 9:00 p.m followed by the opening of the food stand in the fieldhouse in Via Birago The Proloco of Mornago is organizing the Giöbia Bonfire on Saturday 27th January with the happy hour and will continue after dinner with the collection of the brooms "Scaccia Guai" and the lighting of the bonfire during which it will be possible to sip warm mulled wine accompanied by delicious apple fritters a delicious menu with traditional risotto with luganega will be served From 3 to 10 Maggio - Podestà Square of Varese From 10 May to 11 May 2025 - MalpensaFiere info@vareseturismo.it information and assistance for planning your perfect event or trip Contact us Photocredits: Archivio fotografico della Provincia di Varese-Settore Marketing Territoriale e Identità Culturale-servizi foto a cura di SIAF-CNA VARESE - Archivio Fotografico Comune di Varese - Davide Morello Photography