The Monegasque government has unveiled an ambitious long-term strategy to integrate more nature into the Principality’s urban landscape, as it seeks to prepare Monaco for the challenges of climate change while improving quality of life for residents.
The initiative, titled ‘Renature the City’, sets out the principles that will guide future development and urban planning projects across one of the world’s most densely built environments. Developed in collaboration with international landscape architecture firm Grant Associates, the strategy aims to strengthen Monaco’s resilience to rising temperatures, enhance biodiversity and create more comfortable public spaces.
Among its priorities are tackling the urban heat island effect, increasing green spaces and ensuring nature is incorporated into new developments from the earliest stages of design.
“In a vertical city as densely urbanised as Monaco, one of our foremost responsibilities is to imagine the city of tomorrow,” said Minister of State Christophe Mirmand.
“We must take into account the need to combat heat islands so that residents can continue to enjoy a high quality of life as the effects of climate change become more pronounced. This is essential for the Principality’s attractiveness, but it is also important for health and social wellbeing.”
Rather than treating greenery as an afterthought, the strategy will embed environmental considerations into the planning of public infrastructure, neighbourhood developments and open spaces, ensuring future projects are both more resilient and more enjoyable to live in.
Government Minister for Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development Céline Caron-Dagioni said the approach is already shaping the way new projects are conceived.
“From the earliest design stages, we are considering how nature can be integrated, even in spaces that have traditionally been highly mineral for technical reasons,” she said.
“Nature and technical requirements are not incompatible. We also want to ensure that pedestrians, whether walking past public or private developments, continue to enjoy those magnificent views of the Mediterranean, allowing the eye to remain connected to the blue horizon.”
The government has published a dedicated section on its website featuring a presentation video, the strategic framework behind the initiative and examples illustrating how the principles will be implemented in future projects.
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Image source: Government Communications Department