Green densification model

The University of Portsmouth Library extension project includes a green roof with sustainability features signed up to a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) assessment. (3) The award-winning features include the rainwater collection system for flushing toilets and a sedum roof. (2)

Skainos is a community regeneration project developed by the Methodist Church in Ireland’s East Belfast Mission. The Skainos Project has created the Vertical Gardens where around 6,500 plants make up the vertical panels, with a height of 12.5 m. The panels are designed to change colour with the seasons and will attract wildlife. The plants condition the air, remove pollutants, and provide seasonal colour and vegetation. A variety of roof gardens harbour natural flora and fauna. Green Roof technology is used to help with water retention. (Ref 2, Ref 6, Ref 7)

The project started in 2013, when a group of private companies started a collaboration with the municipality of Bari to build a series of gardens on the top of households roofs in the city. With a total extension of 2000 sqm for the experiment, the main goal is to create a small micro-climate. The main advantages of this experiment is an improvement in the process of absorption of rain and to reduce energetic costs for heating. The green roofs are expected to play a role in facing the challenges posed by climate change. (Ref.1.)

As part of the “Landscape Park Rhine”, a key project of the Karlsruhe Master Plan 2015, the city of Karlsruhe implemented the “Park Maxau” project module, which is the most important element of the larger landscape project. (Ref. 3) The “Park Maxau” is a park within an agricultural area which with its new leaseholders, has mostly been converted into ecological agricultural fields and grazing areas. (Ref. 3) Major goals were linking green corridors with the Pamina Rhine park, creating a connected recreational area and enhancing ecological diversity. The “Rhine Promenade” pedestrian route, Rhine terraces and a children’s playground were created, a visitor guidance system was introduced, and an estate was revived as a restaurant. During the 17-month development process, citizens were given the opportunity to offer their ideas and suggestions about the project through internet surveys, interviews and a citizens' conference. (Ref. 6) The area has become a hotspot for ecological agriculture, environmental education and recreation (Ref. 10).

Trees and a park have been created and designed for the double building project called CEMAGREF/ENGREF in Clermont-Ferrand which was planned in 1994 (Ref. 2 and 4). CEMAGREF (Center for the Study of Agricultural Mechanization of Agricultural Engineering of Water and Forests) and ENGREF (National School of Agricultural Engineering of Water and Forests) are located within the IRSTEA (National Science and Technology Research Institute for Environment and Agriculture) (Ref. 3).

Used by a skip hire company until 2016, this riverside Pocket Park will link other fragmented green spaces and routes. Once the rubble is cleared a level riverside walkway will be created that is accessible to walkers, runners, cyclists and wheelchair users. Invasive plants will be removed and new soil mounds will add shape to the land and act as places where native plants can grow. Self-seeded trees will be thinned out and the best allowed to grow on. Once complete the path through it will form part of the sustainable travel network in the upper Aire valley. (1)

The primary goal and function of the 29,000 square metres large park in Győr-Adyváros is to provide an accessible, modern sports park for all ages (Reference 6). Before the intervention, the area was a green public park, but the renovation added many sports facilities such as running tracks and water fountains along with the existing urban nature (Reference 1). New plants were added to the existing old trees and a Photinia hedge was planted around the park, which is rare in public spaces (Reference 6). A fence has also been added. As part of the intervention, three football pitches, a basketball court, a running track, a playground, a park for retired people and a building serving the fitness park were also implemented. In 2016, an outdoor gym was added to the park, co-financed between the municipality of Győr and Audi Hungaria (Reference 3).

A government funding scheme was announced to benefit urban areas with few green spaces. (2) After extensive consultation with local residents, trees were chosen to minimise shade and leaf litter. White Rose Residents Association won a competition against ten other bids from around West Yorkshire to secure a £10,000 grant for the trees. The Government fund provided to the Cardinals White Rose Residents Association was used to buy and plant 15 mature trees, which were picked for their year-round colour. (1)

The intervention concerns the regeneration of the neighbourhood Liberta, which is actually in a state of decay. The Gasometro, renamed Maria Maugeri park is one of the few green spots of the area, and the municipality decided to invest 2 million € in the regeneration process. The park was renamed after one of its promoters and advocates, Maria Maugeri passed away suddenly. The project expects the creation of a public urban park (within an area lacking of green spaces) with several activities, such as a cycling path, restaurants, playground for children, sport infrastructures. The overall plan is the result of an announcement promoted by the Council of Ministries of the Italian parliament (Ref.4.)

The Forest of Belfast is an imaginative label for urban tree initiative launched in the 1990s with the aim of conserving and managing existing trees, increasing the planting of suitable trees, particularly in places of public access like parks, and in promoting an interest in and an appreciation of trees and forestry(Ref 3). The project was officially launched in June 1992 (Ref 1). It is active throughout the urban area of Greater Belfast, including Belfast City. It brings together partners from the statutory sector, voluntary groups, businesses, and individual residents who become volunteer Tree Wardens. It shows how urban forestry can forge partnerships between central and local government, environmental organizations and city dwellers. (Ref 1). Forest of Belfast initiative was wound up towards the end of 2010 (Ref 6).