Preserving biodiversity in Conservatoire des Restanques
"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).
Hannover goes wild
The “Cities Dare Wilderness” project is part of the overall Hanoverian program of “More Nature in the City”, a new future-oriented approach to green spaces in urban areas. The aim of the project is to bring wilderness back to the city by increasing urban biodiversity, strengthening nature in the city and making it habitable for its inhabitants. For fulfilling these goals, eleven sites were chosen (some parts of the city park Eilenriede, some currently intensively cultivated areas or some derelict small gardens), in which different methods have been tried out, like planting local woody plants, grazing, and the implementation of interpretive trails. The development of the flora and fauna in the new wilderness is now being observed and investigated. The first step in the wilderness was made on a meadow along the course of the Fße in the Badenstedt which was fenced. It was made available for cattle to graze and influence the new growth of shrubs through feeding preferences (Reference 1, 2). The flowering meadows have attracted a variety of species. The rich habitat resulting from the project has attracted songbirds, hedgehogs, butterflies and some of the 67 bee varieties endemic to the state of Saxony (Reference 10).
Campaigns for environmental education are regularly offered in order to involve the population in the process of wilderness development. The series of “Wilderness Concerts” were organized, a “wilderness woodlice” was installed in one of the project areas (Mittlefield), and handicraft activities have been regularly offered, in addition to excursions and guided tours (Reference 8). Citizen science is also part of the project through the iNaturalist app that allows the community to record observations of the flora and fauna in the area (Reference 9).
The project is financed by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Natura Conservation and Nuclear Society. Two other cities, Frankfurt am Main and Dessau-Roßlau is also involved as model cities. (Reference 1,2)
Campaigns for environmental education are regularly offered in order to involve the population in the process of wilderness development. The series of “Wilderness Concerts” were organized, a “wilderness woodlice” was installed in one of the project areas (Mittlefield), and handicraft activities have been regularly offered, in addition to excursions and guided tours (Reference 8). Citizen science is also part of the project through the iNaturalist app that allows the community to record observations of the flora and fauna in the area (Reference 9).
The project is financed by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Natura Conservation and Nuclear Society. Two other cities, Frankfurt am Main and Dessau-Roßlau is also involved as model cities. (Reference 1,2)
Parkbogen Ost - Green belt project
When the national German railway company shut down parts of the former East station of Leipzig and its tracks in 2012, citizens developed an idea for its secondary use and came up with the concept of the "Parkbogen Ost" which represents a 5-kilometre long circle of bicycle lanes, footpaths and outdoor space surrounding the East of Leipzig. The city of Leipzig recognized its potential to connect the Eastern Leipzig with the city centre and developed the strategy further by issuing a "Masterplan Parkbogen Ost" as the base for a step-wise implementation of the project in 2013 (Ref. 5).
Rewetting Fairham Brook Nature Reserve
“Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (NWT) in partnership with Nottingham City Council (NCC) proposed enhancements to the Fairham Brook nature reserve to allow areas to be re-wetted, restoring areas to their former state. The Fairham Brook watercourse within the reserve was deepened in the 1970s to improve its drainage function for the adjoining agricultural land but it had the effect of draining the reserve also, which is one of the few areas of fen habitat remaining in Nottinghamshire. Fen is a Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitat and all efforts were to be made to protect and restore the areas that are remaining. Lowland Fen was also a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitat (ref. 1).
Green roofs on the Wellness Hotel in Maximus Resort
Green roofs were installed on two buildings the Wellness Hotel in Maximus Resort in Brno. The roofs have technical, ecological, and aesthetic functions. The main objective was to integrate the buildings of the Wellness Hotel to the surrounding greenery in order to create a quiet and undisturbed place for relaxation (Ref. 1; Ref. 2).
Nottingham in Bloom
“The Nottingham in Bloom campaign is a city-wide partnership which includes residents, businesses, schools, community groups and a wide range of volunteers. The aim is to encourage more people to get involved to improve their local area. Together they [through the campaign] produce horticultural excellence and enhance the local landscape, the environment and the character of Nottingham.” (Ref. 1)
Vegetable Garden On The Roof Of The Pasteur Clinic
The Pasteur clinic in Toulouse installed a 500m² vegetable garden on the roof of its building in 2014. Maintained by clinic employees and various associations, the garden makes it possible to develop a friendly atmosphere and learn gardening while promoting biodiversity (Ref. 2). The garden grows produce including green beans, tomatoes, basil, strawberries and raspberries, (Ref. 3) and contains flowers such as nasturtiums, Cosmos, tagettes and edible chrysanthemums (Ref. 4).
Pedagogical farms in the city
The City of Marseille has three pedagogical farms which are intended to raise awareness of nature and encourage citizens to "discover to love and respect the environment; Study and experiment to act responsibly" (Ref. 1). "Among the various awareness-raising and environmental education tools developed by the City of Marseilles, pedagogical farms are the most concrete way to re-establish contact between urban youth and the rural world" (Ref. 1). The "Collet des Comtes" is one such farm and its "three hectares of land are occupied by open-field and greenhouse crops, grazing areas, an orchard, a pond and a pedagogical garden" (Ref. 1). The farm hosts educational events for children and organic markets (Ref. 5,6).
Reforestation of Malaga’s Green Belt
The project is the reforestation of the peri-urban parks of the city of Malaga in order to make the city greener while adhering to the dry and hot climactic condition of the region. It consists of phases, where native trees to the region were planted totaling over 50 000 new trees in the city. (ref 1-10)
Urban Laboratory
This Urban lab has been installed on the roof of the LIMASA Environmental Center, it is testing what types of plants are best suited for green urban interventions through educational and professional programs offered to women. (ref 1) Two training courses are provided connected to these green roofs through the funding of a La Caixa grant, one training course for women as a potential career opportunity through subsidies from the Ministry of Health, Social Services, and Equality (ref 1).

