Public local authority budget

In 2002, the facilities of the Bielefeld Botanic Garden was expanded with a small apiary for local bees. The apiary was opened on the 90th anniversary of the Botanical Garden and since then in its 5 beehives accommodate the bees living in the garden. The facility is a place for breeding of bees to support their pollination activities and thus their role in food production while the apiary also offers visitors the chance to get an insight into the life and work of a beehive. Through various environmental educational programs, visitors and school children can learn about the importance of bees and the process of honey making. Beekeeping stations were also installed in other surrounding areas such as cemeteries, old dumps, fenced rainwater retention basins. (1,2,3,4)

Before the intervention, the dam was a derelict former industrial and recreational area. (Reference 6) It was transformed into a green recreational park of the southern part of Budapest. 40,000 square metres of grass was laid, 700 trees, 20,000 shrubs and 20,000 perennials were planted. (Reference 4) The park now is a home to a biodiverse population of wild birds. It is one of the few places of the city that have direct connection to the Danube, giving space for strolling, doing sport, playing and relaxing. In 2018, a large-scale development began next to the dam, with the aim of creating a new city center. This would make the park a place for leisure for much greater number of people, but may be detrimental to the ecosystem of the dam. (Reference 6)

The initiative aims to ensure open access to the river Regalica for the local community and to create a multifunctional recreational area there. Given current spatial development plans, the chosen location is the only feasible solution to facilitate public access to the river. The project will address multiple NBS domains as its plans include: building new water stand, fishing place, and an observation deck, developing an ecological and educational path along the riverside, developing recreational spaces for the community including outdoor and cultural activities. The project relates to the long-term brand strategy of the city: ‘Szczecin floating garden 2050’[1]. The architectural plan was accepted and put forward for the implementation in 2019; currently, in July 2020, the project is still in the planning phase [4].

The Bohnenback Park project was one of the first urban redevelopment measures in Bielefeld and was opened its gates for the public in May 2017. The park is the combination of blue and green areas in the Bethel district. It was created by exposing the Bohnenbach stream which previously had been piped and been flowing underground. The park consists of free, bright spaces and lawns with few individual groups of trees. Along the naturally meandering course of the brook, there is a long, north-south oriented promenade, which also forms the backbone of the park. It separates the neighbouring buildings from a parking lot while also connects the Bethel district to its surrounding areas via a green corridor favourable for recreation (1, 7).

Opened in 2019, the René-Dumont Park which runs adjacent to a railway is "a centerpiece of the urban composition of the Nouveau Saint-Roch neighborhood" in Montpellier. (Ref. 1 and 2). This north/south 1.2-1.3 ha vegetation corridor represents a major of the city's urban renewal plan and "allows a great articulation among existing habitats, infrastructures and a contemporary neighborhood" (Ref. 2). The large area is considered to be exceptional for dense urban centres (Ref. 2). "The Nouveau Saint-Roch district is an example of a social, generational and functional diversity" (Ref. 2).

In 2009, the city of Montpellier launched a large census project to valorize its abandoned areas. The study gives guidance on the management of abandoned areas in Montpellier, particularly in connection with environmental education and awareness objectives (Ref. 2). The strategy aims to preserve and promote the natural heritage of Montpellier; promote wastelands as reservoirs of biodiversity, tools for connecting natural spaces; protect and enhance the great green flows accompanying watercourses (biological links and privileged sites for fauna and flora); and develop a network of soft transport throughout the city based on the green network (rivers, agricultural, natural and park areas) (Ref. 4). "The spaces have been classified according to their context, their origin, their potential. This sometimes subjective typology presents a classification of the wasteland and makes it possible to take a particular look on each land. Surfaces of all shapes and sizes fall within this operational classification." Four Experimental projects include: Zenith Friche, Promenade of the Lironde, Pastourelle, Combemale" (Source: uploaded document).

"The Lez is a small Mediterranean river 28.5 km long, born from a karstic exurgence whose supply zone extends north of the source, over more than 150 km2. The “Le Lez” site was proposed in February 2001 because of the presence of several species and natural habitats protected at European level. The designated part concerns the upstream course of the Lez river, its riparian forest and associated agricultural environments. Covering an area of ​​144 hectares, the area stretches over 14 km from the Lez sources in Saint-Clément-de-Rivière to the Concorde bridge, in the town of Montpellier" (Ref. 4). Strong economic and demographic development near Le Lez implies urban pressure on peripheral sectors, particularly north of Montpellier where many residential areas are developing. The river became protected thanks to the "Natura 2000 European network" which aims to reconcile human activities and the conservation of biodiversity on the basis of the main principles of sustainable development (Ref. 4).

The agriparc of the Mas Nouguier is an agricultural reserve entirely maintained by the city of Montpellier. Conducted in organic agriculture, the estate contributes to the preservation of the identity of the territory and to the valorization of the living environment. Accessible to all, it offers a beautiful walk in the middle of the vineyards. Apiaries are used to develop educational workshops and to collect honey with school children. Olive trees, centennial pines and a large meadow come to embellish this little bit of countryside in town (Ref. 1).

The current intervention involves restoration of Bohrova park in the city district of Petrzalka with the implementation of water conservation measures (9).

The Street Office (Gatukontoret) and VA Syd rebuilt Fjärilsparken (The butterfly park) in Bunkeflostrand (Malmö). For the shallow stream that runs through the park the slopes of the dikes have been made flat, meadow vegetation and wetland-plants planted in the wetlands. An area east of the park was built with houses and stormwater was managed in new ways (ref. 1). Opening the park up to the sea, flower beds were planted for richer plant and wildlife, butterfly-attracting plants were planted, lighting for safety was installed and areas with benches and bridges were created (ref. 1).