NEWS & EVENTS
Presentation of the BioPlatgesMet Project at the Smart City Expo Barcelona
On November 7th, the BioPlatgesMet citizen science project (GUARDEN’s Spain Case Study) was presented at the Smart City Expo Barcelona, highlighted as one of the most innovative initiatives to address climate challenges and preserve biodiversity on metropolitan beaches.
During the roundtable “Metropolitan Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation through Metropolitan Beach Management and the BioPlatgesMet Project”, the role of citizens in building essential knowledge for biodiversity management and strategies to foster active participation was discussed. The panel included the participation of Armand Ribes, head of Sostenibilitat i Patrimoni Natural at the Ajuntament de Gavà; Karen Soacha, researcher at the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC); and Anna Oliva, head of communication at the Institut Metròpoli. The discussion was moderated by David Piquer from the Servei de Platges of AMB.
MINKA is a citizen science tool that has been implemented in this case study to support understanding the biodiversity of dunes and beaches. It is extensively used and considered one of the fundamental GUARDEN technologies for the BioPlatgesMet project.
This technological prototype enables participants to collect data, with nearly 5,000 observations contributed by 150 citizens. It also provides a space for data visualization and informed discussion, integrating a complete cycle from observation to decision-making for sustainable beach management.
The panellists emphasized the importance of initiatives like this in densely urbanized contexts, where beaches are critical biodiversity hotspots. The project combines citizen science and scientific monitoring to deliver innovative tools that improve coastal management.
Another key aspect is environmental education and emotional connection to the territory. Through educational programs, participants deepen their understanding of dune biodiversity, fostering a sense of place attachment that encourages long-term involvement in environmental conservation.
Finally, the project’s communication strategy was highlighted. This includes training participants on using MINKA, identifying species, and understanding dune ecosystems, as well as ensuring transparency in how data is used and the decisions that result. This approach not only guarantees ethical practices but also fosters participant loyalty and sustained engagement.
Through BioPlatgesMet, the collaboration between citizen scientists, local facilitators, institutions, and academic researchers transforms collected data into concrete actions to protect coastal biodiversity and create effective management strategies in metropolitan areas.