![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.
🎬 Editing, Layout and Contents by: © MonacoEcoArt](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/704041748_18591891829048354_6937176257147723648_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=oLaJEkOTfjUQ7kNvwHXJNe-&_nc_oc=AdojHA5XsrCOabeuZ4B9-ZbrkDDPuXCnOw-RQnBlCpl2pDhX1S6Bhx8ckdjll22KWnM&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=7GoikegXJobqhlwTP2k8oQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQHxbjKsmsdUpVDEcQz9hxRMjgIJBIVUa1f1rHjiCydFswieBUvGxkyMoJP1fZCgTaaweBh6JuLE&oh=00_Af_5yKGhK72WRCKxNTc4dbrA62etJ8PgpcoultlDiA5HgA&oe=6A3A13C2)
Monaco’s Ballooning Team reaches for the stars with Monaco Next Generation Project.
- M Abti
- Aug 13, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 3, 2022
It was a goal they had been working on for some time and now it has taken flight thanks to the strong commitment of Les Aéronautes de Monaco (Monaco’s Ballooning Team), the Monegasque club that offers training courses for pilots and also it brings together all fans of air sports, with a particular focus on reducing the environmental impacts of human actions. Alain Cruteanschii, founder and president of the Club did believe that 2022 would be a special year. Designing an ecological balloon wearing the colours of the Principality was his mission. In August 2022 the official announcement confirming the out-turn. Monaco is the first Country to have an official ecologic balloon. The Catalan company Ultramagic, based in Igualada (40km far from Barcelona), was commissioned to carry out a new device able to fly safely with reduced consumption. Result achieved!
Following the first take-off of an ecological prototype from the Prince’s Palace square in Monaco Ville, in March 2018, in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, excited about the adventure together with the Marzocco Group, the development of the eco-balloon went on. The outcome is remarkable allowing to reduce fuel consumption through a multi-stage action. Like a double-glazed window, an extra air chamber between the inner and the outer layer keeps heat inside the balloon while high-tech materials make the entire structure lighter. Last but not least, the burner of new generation, conceived by the Italian engineer Paolo Bonanno, is meant to use mainly organic propane derived from the bacterial fermentation of waste, as generated by SAM Romano-Energy, major supplier in Monaco. If necessary, extra fuel may be used, provided that its ecological footprint is compensated by re-forestation. All that will enable energy savings between 50% and 70% of the total and it will contribute to increase fuel reserves on board with more safety.
But the quest for sustainability involves every single aspect. The club, in fact, invested in a hybrid 4x4vehicle to transport its crews during the whole flight. Moreover, the trailer carrying the balloon is made of composite material to make the transport totally energy efficient.
The new hot Air Balloon has recently concluded all running-in phases and it is ready to deal with international journeys keeping Monaco, Mondovì (Piedmont, Italy) and Gap (Maritime Alps) as operational bases. The Monaco’s Eco-balloon, intended for exclusive flights only, besides being available to the Club members and their friends, aims at converting itself in the largest National flag in the world, within the Monaco Next Generation Projet.
Monaco’s Eco Balloon, in fact, wants to become the ambassador to a novel environmentally friendly aviation era.
“Our eco-friendly balloon will convey a simple and applicable message in many areas of daily life: saving energy through insulation and thus limiting heat loss is a simple but very effective principle”, pointed out Alain Cruteanschii talking about the project - “we have been committed to give aeronautics an eco-logic cue to produce the minimum impact on the Planet”, he reaffirmed to a recent interview to Monaco Info. The Club will also make the technical data and steps for realising the balloon in the footsteps of an open-source computer program, available to all users. Thus, Monaco Next Generation is intended to act as a laboratory of ideas.
Monaco’s Ballooning Team promises to take off from the coming years bringing up the Red and White in the skies of the whole world. Let’s keep our gaze pointing straight up… further surprises are coming. ***
To know more about Les Aéronautes de Monaco and Monaco Next Generation Project please visit: http://www.ballonmonaco.com/
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By Maurice Abbati
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