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Fil vert aims to help green the streets in Normandy and raise awareness among citizens of the importance of being an actor of their daily life with regard to the occupation of public space. They aim to "embellish our streets, which are often devoid of vegetation, but also to train responsible citizens" (Ref. 7). "Operation "Fil Vert" was launched at Croix de Pierre (District) in Rouen in September 2013 to beautify and revitalize the district by mobilizing residents and tradespeople. It aims of installing planters in front of the inhabitants and the merchants (subject to obtaining the agreement of the owners in case of hiring), along the pavements, provided that it makes at least 1.40 M width to allow strollers and wheelchairs to pass." (Ref. 3)

The Senate of Hamburg commissioned IBA Hamburg GmbH with the development of the project which aims at realizing two new, family friendly residential districts in Neugraben-Fischbek, the Fischbecker Heidbrook and Fischbeker Reethen, which will offer 3000 residential units in total. (Reference 10) Out of the two districts, Fischbeker Reethen is planned to be the "Garden City of the 21st century", which is why this NBS case focuses on that project. The Fischbeker Reethen project pays attention to sustainability, having a blue-green infrastructure (large green surfaces, waterways and a lake that serves as a basis for the rainwater management of the area). A further aim of the project is to create a new district for the growing city, that with its good infrastructure, public transport connection and educational offers will help the integration of refugees into German society. (Reference 12) The construction of the buildings followed by the green and recreational elements is will start in the second half of 2020, and the handover is planned for 2022 the earliest. (Reference 7)

This NBS consists of a vertical green all installed inside one of Energias de Portugal's (ranks among Europe's major electricity operators, as well as being one of Portugal's largest business groups) centres in Porto. It was installed in 2011. The garden is located next to workplaces and customer service desks. The company wished for a garden with a natural and fresh appearance. Common plants used here were Peperomia rotundifolia, Peperomia obtusifolia, Rhipsalis cassuta, Philodendron scandens and different varieties of Chlorophytum comosum. (1)

The municipality of Catania, in collaboration with the University of Catania promotes sustainable agricultural practices in specific areas of the city with the project “Urbanhort” (Uban Horticulture systems for Resilient, Efficient and Sustainable cities). The main focus of the project was placed on biological, indoor and vertical gardening. The main goal of the intervention is to give value to the territory, to increment tourism, culture and the environment. What wanted to be tested was the efficiency of the practice in terms of price, health outcomes and the promotion of a correct diet. (Ref.1.)

The project might still be ongoing, however, no information was found on the website of Catania's municipality or on the website of the University of Agriculture of Catania for a later date that can show the current stage of the project (as of July of 2020).

‘De Schilde’ in The Hague was the former factory of Philips Telecommunication that had been empty for years. In 2016, it become the home to the largest commercial city facility for food production in Europe: a 1,200 m2 roof greenhouse for specialized vegetables, a 370 m2 covered fish farm and a 250 m2 area for integrated processing and packaging. In addition, 250 m2 within the farm was exclusively reserved for events and guided tours. (5) The farm comprised two-storey greenhouses on the roof and uses the UF system for the sustainable production of fish and vegetables. (5) The urban farm was initiated by the the municipality of the Hague and realised by Urbanfarmers, a Swiss technology company focused on building food production facilities in cities (5).

However, the initiative wasn't successful. In 2018, the company declared bankruptcy and terminated production in the rooftop farm as it did not produced any revenues. (12,13).

The aim of the project is to restore the near-natural state of the Alster, the neighboring floodplains and side waters and thus support biodiversity, the recreational function of the riversides and promote environmental education (Reference 1). The implementation of the project began in 2012 and is planned to continue until 2021. It’s second phase started in 2018, which focuses on redeveloping the inner-city areas of the Alster. (Reference 8) The developers of the project focus on improving biodiversity and habitats. Recent nature conservation efforts included the installation of bee hotels, installation of gravel depots where fish lay eggs and the building of three fish ladders at the Poppenbüttler, Mellingburger and Wohldorfer locks, so that salmon, sea trout and sticklebacks can migrate there again. (Reference 6) In the future, other biotope structures in the urban river environment are to be improved. The project also provides opportunities for voluntary work and educational field trips for schoolchildren. (Reference 9)

Green space created behind Rock Ferry library on unused land. The plot of unused land, owned by the Wirral Council, signed a lease with the 'Grow Sow Well' project to run a volunteering scheme and sessions for the community (particularly aiming to help people with mental health issues). Grow Sow Well worked with residents, schools and community groups, bringing people together to celebrate their area and increase awareness of healthy eating and food production. (Ref. 1, 2) This lease has was transferred to the organisation called the Utopia Project (works with young people and includes horticulture). (Ref. 8)

The Molenvlietpark is a large park in the Viletzoom area of The Hague which will serve as an ecological corridor and stormwater storage. Beside flowery grasslands, the park has several interconnected ponds serving as water storing facilities that can temporarily collect a large amount of water during heavy rainfall. The green and blue areas with diverse vegetation provide habitat for a large variety of species and a fish spawning ground supporting biodiversity (1,5,6,7). It will also include paths for cyclists and pedestrians. (1) The first phase of the park construction has been completed, while the second phase is planned to be executed in 2021-2022.

This local initiative has revitalized the most neglected places in the district and transformed them into green areas for leisure and recreation. The project resulted in the planting of new greenery (grasses, bushes, and flowers) and better maintenance of the existing plants, as well as installation of leisure and sports equipment (including benches and open-air gym) [1,2].

In this neighbourhood, this is the first initiative of this type which have utilized the neglected area for the creation of an open-air dog runway with agility track and a park for the residents. The project seeks to improve the aesthetics of the surroundings by planting greenery in the park and along the track. The wider goal of the initiative is to protect the area from further urban development in favour of more greenery in the city [1].