Green densification model

The biotope Schladitz is the regenerated remains of a former installation for the dehydration of sewage sludge implemented in 1952 by the communal waterworks company which used to pump its sewage sludge into the municipality of Rackwitz North of Leipzig. Upon its termination (1990), the company conducted large regeneration works of the contaminated sites from 1991 until 2011. The area was renaturalized, a biotope was implemented with plants species to retain the toxic substances. Now the area is also used for nature experience, observation and environmental education for children and adults (4, 7).

The intervention will be carried out in the Zen neighbourhood, as part of an overarching project which includes the care of green areas and plantation of new trees in the parks, especially those close to public schools. There will be 11 specific areas of intervention within the Zen neighbourhood. In addition, it is underlined the specific service provided by those new areas, such as the positive impact of the green view, the mitigation of effects such as urban pollution and human impact on the environment. (Ref.1.)

The Climate Friendly Gardeners Project is based at Windmill Community Gardens in the Bobber’s Mill area of Nottingham. The project teaches local residents about sustainable gardening practices in the context of the climate change affecting the UK, through a renovated community allotment garden.”
(ref 1, 2)

The project involves the formation of a statutory Green Belt of 3,500 hectares as part of the broad strategy of the Tyne & Wear County Structure Plan to restrain the further spread of the built environment and to safeguard the city's countryside from encroachment (Ref 2). The Green Belt prevents small villages to merge with large towns, preserving their individual identities, and also accommodates a wide variety of the borough's environmental assets, including Local Wildlife Sites and wildlife corridors (ref 3). It is claimed to contribute significantly to the city's green infrastructure (Ref 1 & 4).
The Green Belt boundaries have not changed since 1998 (Ref 1), but it is currently (in 2020) under reassessment in response to the development needs of adjacent towns (Ref 1). Thus even though the intervention started almost 50 years ago, it is an ongoing process.

The project RUIS (Riqualificazone Urbana Infrastrutture e Sicurezza), stands for the regeneration of urban infrastructure and safety. The initiative is carried out by the municipality of Palermo, in order to improve the urban resiliency of the intervention area, with the creation of further green areas in neighbourhoods dealing with problems of heatwaves and environmental degradation. The main areas which will be the focus of the regeneration process will be those considered to be in degradation state. It is expected that the quality of life of the residents will significantly improve (Ref.1.).

Architect Santiago Calatrava is set to create a grass-topped office block on the plaza in front of Stadelhofen Station in Zurich with public parking for 1000 bicycles on the ground level. The project is expected to provide a good habitat for some species with controlling the seasonal cooling and heating of the building. (Ref 1)

The Belvoirpark has its origins in the 19th century and is one of the oldest landscaped gardens in the region. Set on a beautiful location close to the lake with views of the city and the mountains, the Belvoirpark has retained its specific topography with large level differences and exotic trees. Since the twenties, Gastrosuisse operates here a Hotel Management School with an upscale, publicly accessible restaurant. The former school building was spatially and functionally not integrated into the parkA huge transformation of the Belvoirpark area was done to make the park more green from 2004 – 2015. The transformation of the area around the new construction of the replacement building allowed a reappraisal of the previous situation. (Ref 1)

The Werd Administration Centre contains a green park that provides a good variety of trees with an aesthetic view of the city. Ornamental cherry trees create a lively atmosphere, in the spring with their double-blossom flowers, and in the autumn as their canopy changes colour. This park has been renovated a few years back to increase habitat diversity. The building itself got another renovation in 2014. (Ref 1)

It is one of the most famous parks in the city. A re-design is offering the opportunity to make use of the full potential of the place and to put it back into the public’s focus – as a place for recreation, a park, a promenade and Zurich’s very own, most central urban park. An urban square was formed, representing generosity and offering space for multiple functions. A gateway from park to courtyard during the daytime, the mirroring water surfaces of the illuminated pools, and the annex’s reflecting façade create the atmosphere of a grotto at night (Ref 1).

The Generalunternehmung Losinger Marazzi AG is developing a sustainable city quarter with Greencity, incorporating alley trees, pocket parks, house gardens, and green areas attached to the buildings (Ref 2). The landscape concept contrasts the new concentration of urban housing, services, and businesses with the landscape’s natural geomorphological features. The place is very close to the Sihl river. The river landscape defines western and eastern Manegg which benefit from other characteristic natural features, forests and the grasslands of the Entlisberger embankment. The newly erected, densely built “GreenCity” dovetails with the natural landscape it’s nested in (Ref 1).