Environmental regulation

"Tirone Alto Vesuvio" is a park situated within the Vesuvio area in Naples, this area was recently qualified as an eco-campus (green infrastructure), a project realized in 2011 according to the European guidelines for sustainable tourism. In particular, the eco-campus has the goal to promote sustainable and zero-impact sports activities, in order to spread awareness on ecological issues. In addition, it provides important health benefits and social and cultural advantages (Ref.1).

A landscape scheme had laid out around the Scottish Parliament building and structures were turfed and covered in grass. The landscaping softens the concrete canopies with wildflower meadows, rooftop gardens, ponds, plants, flowers etc. 2 distinct types of green roofs are present at the Parliament - wildflower meadow grass canopies and roof gardens. The Parliament is built on a brownfield site and it has increased the biodiversity of the site. A number of rare and native grasses were planted in the parliament’s open spaces. (ref 1)

This blue and green infrastructure project of Bergen involves the development of a river park with riverside promenades, bridges and recreation areas. Bergen municipality wishes to develop the area along the Møllendalselven to a park that in the long run will extend from Store Lungegårdsvann to Svartediket and further up to the mountains. The area's industrial history forms the backdrop of a new park that will act as a green lung for the city's residents, both locally and in a slightly larger perspective, where Møllendalselven will become the central element. (Ref. 1, 2)

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).

The green wall was built as a pilot project in cooperation between the national government, the University of Genova and the Ecosystemic Research Group with the aim to assess urban air pollution. The wall is being monitored to understand which plant species are the most ideal for carbon sequestration in cities (2 and 3).

"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 urban development project between Little Lungegård Lake and Big Lungegård Lake (Store Lungegårdsvann) involves the creation of a canal between the two lakes as a means of runoff management, among other things. Water quality and flood protection are fundamental issues that are considered in this project as the city is expecting increased levels of precipitation due to climate change. The rest of the urban area will be transformed into an attractive modern city centre area with water as the most important element (Ref 1, 4).

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)