Reduced emissions

"The Conservatoire des Restanques is dedicated to preserving biodiversity (conservation orchard, forgotten vegetable garden, Mediterranean garden with the typical plant species of low limestone Provence) and to be a showcase of the current considerations of Sustainable Development (energy, waste management, water resources management, etc.). The development of the site and the different elements of the landscape make it possible to develop educational programs on the themes of flora diversity, wildlife, heritage conservation, food, consumption and health, eco-construction and energy management" (Ref. 3).

A 21-kilometer regional cycle and footpath between the cities of Essen, Mülheim am der Ruhr and Duisburg was developed from the former unused railway route of the Rheinische Bahn. The path was landscaped to ensure the comfort of pedestrians and cyclists. Part of the route passes through Emscher Park and become a full-fledged part of the green infrastructure of Essen (Ref. 1).

The Newton and Arkwright roof, buildings of the Nottingham Trent University campus, holds one of the region’s largest sedum roofs, which spans its way 2,500m² across the building, creating a home for 13 varieties of sedum, insects, songbirds and a new colony of honey bees, creating a trio of hives over all campuses (ref. 1). A 150m2 bank surrounding the building is unmown in order to promote biodiversity and attract pollinating insects in the summer months. Green-walled gates was also part of the implementation activities of this project. (ref. 5).

JDS Architects Designed a Geometric Green-Roofed Youth Center for Lille, France. Organized around a massive courtyard, the three sections of the triangle building each feature a roof that serves as an integral part of its sustainability. The kindergarten roof was planned to be a vegetated garden area with a grassy play surface that helps cool the building. (Ref 1)

From 2009 to 2018, a green wall including 1,700 mediterranean perennials (agapanthus, valerian, fern) fed by a water-saving watering system was in place in a heavily frequented part of Marseille (Ref. 3, slide 4). JC Decaux Advertising offered the 70 m² of space for advertising display around the green wall. The project was abandoned in 2018 when the vegetation was completely removed to allow for advertisements to take up the entire surface of the wall (Ref. 1).

In June 2012, the Vertical Plants at the Strasbourg National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA) were installed by two second-year students. They along with faculty and students undertook a technical and regulatory feasibility study, before taking steps to mobilise local companies to meet the costs of the project (Ref. 1). The advantage is not only aesthetic, but the wall has thermal and acoustic properties, and serves as a refuge for biodiversity and is even capable of absorbing atmospheric pollution (Ref. 2).

The Grand Park Garonne urban project aims to rehabilitate and develop the banks of the river Garonne that runs 32 kilometers through the city. From 2015, several development projects was planned to be carried out for a total of 28.7 million euros across 3 areas: the Garonne downstream, Toulouse center and the city's "green lung" Island of Ramier (Ref. 1, 4). Within these are 12 sites that consist of 40 pilot projects for operations. Among these are projects focused on protecting and restoring natural habitats and species in order to create a citywide green corridor (Ref. 8).

In 2016 the Environmental Protection Division of Hannover's Department of Environment and Urban Environment started a common pilot project, KlimaWohL, with Bothfelder Kamp GmbH & Co. KG and the Gundlach Group. The building project in Hanover-Bothfeld, formerly called “Hilligenwöhren”, was renamed to “Herzkamp”. By 2021, the family company Gundlach will build approx. 300 terraced houses, rental and freehold apartments. The aim of the project is to implement a new residential area where the researchers of KlimaWohL can systematically test the climate adaptation strategy of Hanover. The new residential area that aims to be an innovative example of climate-adaption for other cities will be equipped with extensive green surfaces and will pay attention to protect the natural environment and species. (Reference 1, 3). In 2018, planting the edge of the forest was started, wherein a tiered 20m wide border consisting of shrubs and trees were planted between the forest and the residential area. Construction of the rental apartments was started and by 2019, the row houses and semi-detached houses have started to be sold. The shell has been completed and the interior work has started. By 2022, overall completion of the project is foreseen.

Andromeda is the first eco-district of Toulouse Métropole. Extended on the municipalities of Blagnac and Beauzelle, it brings together 210 hectares of green spaces, housing estates, residences and corporate offices. The district has been designed around the principles of sustainable development and the preservation of the environment (Ref. 1). The district includes a green corridor network, rainwater management systems (sumps, gutters, recovery tanks, landscaped basins, etc.), 12,000 trees, and the majority of buildings are equipped with green roofs, while green and blue spaces total 70ha and natural areas are 1/3 of the total area (Ref. 2, 3).

Numerous developments have been carried out at the National Veterinary School of Toulouse's (ENVT) green campus to make the site more conducive to the maintenance and development of biodiversity as result of the school's "VERT VET" (GREEN VET) club (Ref. 2). The green changes began as a result of the school's 2008 sustainable development policy (Ref. 1). Among its many functions and activities, the policy helped raise awareness, clean ponds, and a well, construct a vegetable garden and make beehives and bird nest boxes in the campus's two classified forests (Ref. 3).