Technological

As part of the restoration of park Denis Gardens, an innovative water element was built consisting of water flowing down the stairs, circulated and cleaned by a pump and filters. This helps regulate the local microclimate by reducing temperatures in hot days and creating humidity in the air (Ref. 1; Ref. 5). Also, the element allows people to walk bare-footed and cool off. In addition, the water reduces air pollution by extracting dust from the air, and the structure has an aesthetic and recreational function, with a restaurant underneath. (Ref. 1; Ref. 2; Ref. 6).

"This 26-hectare park, the largest in Clermont-Ferrand, offers a privileged view of the city. Several wooded areas serve as shelters for permanent and passing wildlife. For the last two years, gardeners in the park have no longer used pesticides to maintain Montjuzet Park, the effects are already measurable on the enrichment of flora and fauna." "During the development of the Parc Montjuzet, the choice was made to keep 9 hectares without intervention. These hectares could be a source of some ecological richness. Hives have been established near this area since 2009." (Ref. 1) This park has the Refuge LPO label. (Ref 2)

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust has completed an urban river restoration on the Guphill Brook that aims to restore the brook's natural features and enhance the surrounding habitat. "The project [is expected to] bring multiple benefits to diminishing wildlife and deprived local communities but also importantly to flood risk reduction, which is becoming ever more important with the increased negative effects of climate change." (Ref. 1)

The project tackles the habitat fragility of the Ligurian wetlands and the impact of a turtle species called Emys orbicularis in the Centa Piana river, the Vara and Magra rivers areas. The project focused on the restoration of the natural habitat, the eradication of invasive American species threatening the European turtle species and the assistance of local turtles reproduction and re-introduction in the wild. A large part of the project was conducted thanks to the participation of volunteers and large emphasis was given to education about environmental habitats protection. (1)

The project involved the revitalization of the area in Cacovická island in order to create conditions for year-round recreation and relaxation in the natural environment and to restore the ecosystem in the floodplain of the river Svitavy (Ref. 3). The project also restored the cultural heritage of the area by integrating elements of Celtic heritage within the design, as well as environmental education (Ref. 4).

Tree heritage is an essential component of the urban environment in Clermont Ferrand. The city has a special plan for conserving the trees, proposing a tree charter (Ref 6) and made a major effort to extend its tree heritage. Different actions are undertaken by the city's council for conserving and planting trees around the city. For instance, the tramway has integrated the plantation of 1,400 trees and 140,000 shrubs (Ref. 1). In 2019 the city solicited a preliminary study on metropolitan trees for the development of a metropolitan tree charter (Ref 7).

The city district Japigia in 2013 has proposed a project of a new park that links the necessity of housing, open spaces, urban sustainability. The park is centre of green spaces with a high level of accessibility, in a part of the city which was previously abandoned. The presence of hedges and trees guarantees the liveability of the area, while at the same time providing important ecosystem services such as mitigation of urban pollution and mediation of visual impact. The same can be said for the vertical gardens which will characterise the entrance of the park. (Ref.1.)

The Willem Alexander Park is the first roof park of Utrecht and is built on a highway tunnel (the A2 highway) and includes meeting areas, sports and activities and a community garden that contributes to social cohesion. It also allows for cultural development by creating spaces for art and culture and includes a sustainable drainage system (ref. 1, 2). In addition, the Willem Alexanderpark is the first park in which almost two hectares consists of prairie plantings (ref. 2).
The park is intersected by the roads between the City road and Leeuwenstein-North. Each segment between the roads has its own thematic program, appropriate to the size and location in the urban context. The themes are:
– connect & meet
– art & culture
– sports & games
– nature & education
– food & drinks (ref. 4)

The Kriegsstraße is a large street in the centre of Karlsruhe which experienced traffic problems for a long time. Since 2005 there have been plans to redevelop the area into a multifunctional public space area to be used by cars, trams bicycles and pedestrians. Due to financing problems, the solution has been put on hold for a long time but in 2015 construction work of the so-called “combined solution” project has finally started. The plan is to renovate the Kriegsstraße, including the tram tracks above the surface and to create an underground tunnel for cars. The surface above the tunnel will be greened through the implementation of an alley of trees, green bicycle lanes and pedestrian paths as well as greened tram routes (Ref. 1). In August 2020, the implementation of the project is nearing completion and is expected to be finished in 2021 (Ref. 9, 10)

The project relating to the waterfront of San Girolamo di Bari is an important piece of the mosaic that provides a new design for the entire city waterfront, from North to South: Santo Spirito, Palese, (precisely) San Girolamo, the connection between Bread and Tomato and Torre Quetta, temporary uses on the San Giorgio waterfront, up to the redevelopment of the South promenade. The project which is almost completed, regenerated the seaside part of Bari, making the seaside accessible and link the city with the coastal area by creating a multi-functional space where playgrounds, a cycling path and green open spaces were built to enhance the liveability of the area. In this way, what was previously considered just as an economic and working part of the city became a new center of social interaction by creating a new institutional green space. (Ref.1, Ref.6).