![Words of Eco-Logia – 21st May 2026
Welcome to a new weekly column of Eco-Logia!
EPISODE 7: What does Urban Functional Biodiversity refer to?
How do you feel when you come into contact with the green spaces of your city? Maybe more relaxed, regenerated and energetic! it is not by chance. #Urban Functional #Biodiversity is about various natural #species and their specific functional traits (e.g., nitrogen fixation, pollination, water retention) that maintain #ecosystems and provide essential #services in heavily populated areas. Boosting #climate regulation, favouring flood #control, reducing #pollution, providing recreational spaces and improving human #wellbeing, resilience and health are some of the most significant #benefits they generate.
Being inspired by #Nature’s balance helps #architects, #designers and urban #planners to select vegetation able to optimises specific ecological functions, such as #water infiltration or biodiversity support. Integrating interconnected #green spaces (e.g.: parks, green roofs) and #blue spaces (ponds, wetlands) promotes #habitat connectivity and strengthens urban biodiversity. Moreover, engaging local residents and stakeholders in the planning and management of urban nature, encourages a shared vision of the development of densely inhabited areas, boosting mental and physical health.
Main Strategies for Enhancing Urban Functional Biodiversity are:
· Biodiversity-Sensitive Design]: that is integrating native, multi-functional plant species into urban design, including vertical gardens and green roofs.
· Ecological Restoration: that is actively restoring urban green and blue spaces to enhance habitat diversity and ecological function.
· Inclusive Governance: that is engaging local residents and stakeholders in the planning and management of urban nature.
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Monaco innovates public lighting with an energy-efficient focus.
- M Abti
- Jan 13, 2025
- 3 min read
On July 2023, the Principality of Monaco begun the gradual replacement of traditional public lighting, made of fluorescent and high-pressure sodium bulbs, with low-energy LED (Light Emitting Diode) installations to illuminate the underground tunnel network, starting from the Rock and moving then to : Boulevard de Ténao, Sainte-Dévote–Débarcadère and Digue.
This is part of the energy saving policy aimed at encouraging eco-friendly actions and more environmentally friendly behaviours throughout the Monegasque territory, in the footsteps of the Energy Transition White Paper launched by the Sovereign Prince in March 2017. Energy efficiency, in fact, is still a priority of the Gouvernement Princier, by the will of the Department of Urban Amenities (DAU), under the supervision of the Department of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development.
After the successful completion of the first and second phases in full respect of road safety providing low noise pollution, the project continues involving the Dorsale tunnels, which will be partially closed from 9.30 p.m. to 6 a.m. according to the following schedule:
Phase No. 1 from the 6th January to the 5th February 2025: closure of the Rocher Nice tunnel under the Rocher, Rocher tunnel and the Canton tunnel.
Phase No. 2 from the 10th to the 28th February 2025: closure of the Colle tunnel, Dorsale, Hélios, lower Fontvieille and Rocher Nice tunnel under the Rocher.
Phase No.3 from the 16th June to the 4th August 2025: closure of the Dorsale and Canton (T2ter) tunnels and Larvotto tunnel.
Switching to LED lighting is considered as one of the most effective solutions in terms of ease and speed of application. The current LED technology, first developed in 1962 by Nick Holonyak Jr. based on the discovery of photoluminescence in early 1900 by Henry Joseph Round (assistant of Guglielmo Marconi), have a much longer life and much lower consumption up to a 50% - 80% reduction compared to traditional incandescent lamps.
Between 1993 and 1995, Shūji Nakamura, Japanese engineer and scientist first developed a bright blue LED and another in the green spectrum (InGaN diode), and soon the first white LED. Consequently, Nakamura and his colleagues, Akasaki and Amano were award the Nobel Prize for Physics for having designed blue light diodes capable to generate low-consumption brilliant light.
LED bulbs last between 80,000 to 100,000 hours longer than the business-as-usual devices, being able to operate continuously up to ten years, even in the most difficult environmental conditions. Moreover, LED lights do not contain toxic chemicals and they are fully recyclable, improving the ecological footprint (it measures human demand on natural capital). Las but non least, LED lighting systems do not produce significant levels of UV rays and they require low voltage, so that it is easier to supply power with photovoltaic systems.
The Principality of Monaco is therefore investing in one of the most energy efficient, cleanest, and eco-friendly way of public illumination, with a view to achieving carbon neutrality of the whole Country by 2050. ***
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By Maurice Abbati
Journalist; Editor; Communication, Media and Public Relations Specialist
Lecturer and Author in English language of Technical Articles and the Manual: "Communicating the Environment to Save the Planet, a Journey into Eco-Communication" by Springer International Publishing.
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