Species-focused

The WWF Oasis of Valle Averto extends to the edge of the Venetian lagoon and is a typical fishing valley of the Venetian lagoon, the only one closed to hunting. It is located within a Community Importance Site (SIC IT3250030). It is also a Special Protection Zone (SPP IT3250046). The area, about 200 hectares, includes ample mirrors of brackish water, canes, igrophilous forests, canals. After being purchased by WWF, plants of the planífico igrofilo forest kind were re-introduced: oak, black poplar, elm, ash and other typical species (1).

The project aims to reintroduce Patella ferruginea in the three Protected Marine Areas (AMP) (Portofino, Bergeggi and Cinque Terre), where the causes of extinction have been eliminated and an adequate level of protection is ensured (1). The project expects to achieve the following results: Biodiversity recovery and restoration of ribbed Mediterranean limpet by re-establishing a local population starting with 100 specimens; Reproduction and production of juveniles (some 6 000 larvae per year) to be introduced to the target areas for restocking; Full recovery and new population development of ribbed Mediterranean limpet in the target area; Restoration of the population translocated from Tavolara by introducing juveniles from controlled reproduction; and Strengthened territorial promotion and reinforcement of the “clean sea” message" (4).

"In order to make this center area attractive and dynamic, the EPASE (Saint-Etienne Public Development Agency) and the town hall of Saint-Etienne have set up an ambitious eco-neighborhood project. This project is based on public spaces that are built on an original urban park model where nature is the driving force behind the site. Nature is at the heart of this "park city" project, realized in record time: in a year and a half, the vast majority of the park's work has been carried out and the neighborhood has begun to change."(Ref. 1)

The Jardin des Plantes represents a space rich in nature in the heart of the city and also hosts the Opera Theater of Saint-Etienne (Ref. 2). In 2015, "A thematic urban commission (with the citizens' district representatives) is set up to enhance the "Jardin des Plantes" while keeping its wild side but with a controlled vegetation." For instance, the social center proposed a fitness trail and elected representatives propose a signage of trees, the integration of design, thanks to urban furniture and ephemeral works" (Ref. 1). Citizens requested that vegetation of walls be undertaken to "avoid the flourish of unattractive tags" (Ref. 1).

Haukåsvassdraget is a vulnerable watercourse threatened by urban development and water run-offs from agriculture. The intervention included local use of surface water based on principles such as retention and infiltration, retaining and using the natural watercourses. The plan involved restoring the meandering river courses, ponds and pools and safeguarding the rich biodiversity and the landscape qualities linked to the Haukås watercourse and adjacent marshlands. The Haukås marshland park, combined with modern local handling of surface water, aims to prevent flooding in the development areas at Haukås and to improve the aesthetics of the area. (Ref. 1)

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is endorsing - Edinburgh Adapts - the city’s first climate change adaptation action plan as a demonstration site of the ClimateXChange project. The 2012 persistent heavy raining incident brought flooding and damage to beds, lawns and paths at RBGE. A study is being carried out to see the impact of weather events on their gardens and how this can be used to best deal with projected climate change. Horticulture and visitor services staff at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) and its Regional Gardens are already adapting to climate uncertainty. (ref 2, 3)

The Braid Burn is a highly urbanised watercourse that has been significantly modified to improve drainage. Prior to re-meandering of the Braid burn, it was constrained in a narrow, brick-lined channel with little character, offering a poor habitat and possessing low species diversity. The restoration work reintroduced diversity to allow natural morphological and ecological processes to take place (ref. 2). A new wetland habitat was created, along with a flood storage area. It was a small component of a wider flood alleviation scheme by the City of Edinburgh (ref. 1).

Craigmillar Town Centre Temporary Greening project transformed a vacant development site in Craigmillar which is reserved for a new high school, not scheduled to be built until late 2020, into a temporary green space. The site is at the centre of the wider Craigmillar regeneration area, adjacent to the newly-built Community Hub and neighbouring plots at varying stages of development. EDI's PARC Craigmillar Ltd is responsible for the regeneration in Craigmilar, working in partnership with Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT) and the City of Edinburgh Council. The initiative will create a meanwhile space for community use, while works begin on the town centre development. The greening will allow the area to become an active space for the local community to enjoy and ease the construction process. Craigmillar Town Centre Temporary Greening forms part of a wider plan for the redevelopment of Craigmillar Town Centre. The masterplan, which was approved in December 2014, includes 330 homes, a retail centre, restaurant, community play area and high school – where the temporary greenspace will be situated until building commences. (ref 1, 3)

“Zagreb for Me” was an ambitious and comprehensive project launched in 2015 by the Zagreb Society of
Architects in cooperation with the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Zagreb and the City of Zagreb.
The goal of the project was to start a revitalization of public spaces through the realization of 17 urban
interventions in the whole city area at the same time. This distributed approach aimed to improve the general
“image of the city” and raise the quality of urban life in segments of housing, recreation, leisure and social
cohesion and revitalization of Zagreb's public spaces using public participation as a tool. This project aims to decentralize designed public spaces and draw attention to some forgotten city spots. At the same time, the project, created from a “bottom-up” initiative, establishes a new model of public participation as well as new forms of collaboration (Ref 1, 2, 3). The project "Zagreb for me" was created on the basis of Acupuncture of the city - an interdisciplinary approach and public participation, but it covers a wider urban space, ie it deals with public spaces throughout Zagreb. After the conducted urban-architectural tenders for the selected solutions, the realization is planned. Only one urban-architectural tender was conducted and the implementation of the project stopped there, but the project "Zagreb for me" was recognized as an example of good practice with the possibility of application in other cities. (Ref 5)

"Pending the creation of housing and new walks by 2020, the association Carton Plein and the EPA (Public Building Institution) of Saint-Etienne have created a temporary public space on the site known as "la Cartonnerie". A place for exchange and conviviality, the site hosts artistic installations, ephemeral installations and events. It is a laboratory conducive to imagining new ways of doing the city" (Ref. 1). The citizens also created shared gardens in this area called "Le Jardin Experimental"(Experimental garden) (Ref. 4).