Green densification model

In 2014, the planning stage of a large parking lot with an innovative green roof was started and was planned to be built on the public green space in Kuopio Park. The parking lot was planned to accommodate up to 156 cars and the green roof was planned to be 4000 square meters large. (Reference 1) The goal of implementing the green roof was to not decrease the green area of the park. However, the plan was cancelled due to concerns about the high cost. (Reference 10) In 2020, a new plan for a parking lot was introduced, which would be less costly, but will involve no green roof or green elements.

In 2014, the municipality of Győr initiated a large-scale tree-planting programme which has planted approximately 1000 trees each year since it was started (Reference 6). As part of the programme, old trees that have become dangerous, withered or have outgrown their base are cut down, but much more are planted each year than the ones that are removed. (Reference 1). In the course of the program, mostly manna ash, European dwarf cherry, Norway maple, European hornbeam, large-leaved linden, London plane, and chestnut trees are planted, taking into account the local conditions. About 200 shrubs and thousands of flowers are planted each year. Flower seedlings have also been donated to citizens, with the goal of involving citizens in green space creation (Reference 6). An addition to the programme started on 1 July 2020 (Reference 6) and since then, after every child born in Győr, the parents can claim a tree that they can plant on their own or with the company Győr-Szol Zrt.

Situated in park Spilberk, the garden features a building with a green roof and a garden with various plots. The building is designed to be carbon neutral and reuses rainwater for toilet flushing and for watering the garden plots. The garden is used for horticultural purposes and environmental education, as well as animal and beekeeping. The complex improves the local micro-climate through cooling and humidification and promotes biodiversity. (Ref. 1; Ref. 2; Ref. 5; Ref. 6)

The renewal of the 220 sqm roof terrace of the Ministry of the Environment in 2010 focused on improving the thermal insulation of the building and the remaking of its green roof. The project was planned by the city council’s department for urban nature in collaboration with a landscape architect and implemented by a professional outdoor greening company (Ref. 2). The green roof won the award “green roof of the year 2013” and is also actively promoted as a model for green roofs, frequently shown to international guests of the Ministry. (Ref. 1).

This project worked to revitalize the area along the river Old Ponávka. This involves the creation of walking paths, bike paths, and public playgrounds. (Ref. 1). Stará Ponávka and the adjoining Svitavy drive were built in the 13th century in the original riverbeds of Ponávka and Svitava before their regulation. By revitalizing this watercourse, the city returned water back to the city, made it accessible to people and improved the natural state of the site (Ref. 14).

This is a project of regeneration of an abandoned small garden in the centre of Napoli, with the plantation of plants typical of the Mediterranean area. The new 400 sqm garden was developed by the Servizio Arredo Urbano of the city of Napoli. The regeneration process was persistently asked by the citizens of the surrounding area which were looking for an improvement of the area. In addition, the garden hosts a new playground for kids, and by consequence, it is considered a new spot for recreational activities. (Ref.1.)

The redevelopment of the Alcantara square is part of the program A SQUARE IN EACH NEIGHBOURHOOD, implemented by the Municipality of Lisbon in 2017 onward. Besides the road re-organization, the project includes specific elements. The NBS includes the creation of a public garden, cycling path, playground facilities and introduction of new trees (Ref.1). The residents of the neighbourhood were asked to participate. The participation process aimed at obtaining from the citizens an evaluation on different pertinent questions in the experience of the public space, results showed: space for pedestrians, improve green spaces and urban living (Ref.1).

The Morningside Park is classified within the Edinburgh Public Parks and Gardens Strategy as a “Community Park”. This is a small, pleasant, elongated park area with tennis court, multi-sport area, grass areas and tarred pathways that make the Park an attractive facility for children, young people, adults and senior citizens. The park provides an essential green space in the heart of Morningside with a design which lends itself to a range of activities. The layout of the park provides healthy and safe routes between linked road networks along tree-lined paths. (ref. 1)

Platenstrasse in the Ginnheim district of Frankfurt was laid out as a four-lane feeder in the 1960s. It leads through the settlement of the same name, which was formerly the housing area of ​​the US armed forces. After their withdrawal in 1994, the settlement came into municipal ownership. Many large families, often with a migration background, moved in. Wild parking lots and storage spaces were created without any quality of stay. In 2000, discussion about the redesign of the Plattenstrasse started and in 2015 it was completely transformed into a green corridor. The street space was rearranged and the paved areas were reduced to the necessary extent. Sensitive planning and respect for the established structures helped to preserve the character of the district while significantly increasing the green area with recreational facilities. (1)

"This disctrict of "Plateau de Haye" is part of the EcoQuartier approach, is one of the most ambitious urban renewal projects. In line with the development of the New Urban Renewal Program, work was carried out this year [2012] on the challenges of opening up territory to its urban and forestry environment in order to confirm the "Forest City" approach initiated by the architect-town planner Alexandre Chemetoff" (Ref. 1). It received the EcoQuartier National Grand Prize (Ref. 2). A forest, community gardens and a green corridor are being developed with a rainwater recovery system (Ref. 2). Work is set to continue until 2024 (Ref. 10). "It will first allow work to be done on the functionalities of the district : development of spaces freed up by the demolition of the Blanc Sycamore and the Purple Beech, reconversion of the Tamaris and Ombelles into housing, shops and spaces dedicated to companies, creation of green spaces , shared gardens and parking" (Ref. 10).