Measurements of biophysical aspects of the NBS (e.g. temperature, water flow)

Meadow orchards with fruit trees were an integral part of subsistence farming and form part of the cultural heritage of Wuppertal. To preserve and further develop these meadows as an important habitat for flora and fauna and promote their potential for sustainable consumption, 4 such meadows were sponsored, maintained and promoted by the city of Wuppertal in close collaboration with the working group for fruit meadows via events, communal harvesting activities and hands-on courses since 1999. Since 2015, these meadows have increasingly drawn the attention of "foodsharing" movements and during the nationwide research year "future town". (Ref. 1, 2, 6, 8). Enclosed between areas of intensive conventional agriculture and the federal motorway, the orchards as islands of biological diversity are important places of retreat and relaxation. (Ref. 5) Communal activities are also offered, such as the co-creation of “edible experience spaces”, joint harvesting and providing a base for additional social projects (Ref. 6).

As part of the Fifth Dimension research program of the University of Helsinki that examines green roofs from the perspectives of biodiversity and the three dimensions of sustainable development (ecological, social and economical sustainability), 8 green roofs were installed in Helsinki. The aim was to find economically viable solutions that are applicable to Helsinki’s and Finland’s conditions. The project experimented with green roofs in different parts of the country, over half of which are in Helsinki (ref. 1, 2, 3).

Situated on an area of 52 acres, Father Collins Park incorporates many sustainability-focused features and has won a number of awards. Over 1200 trees and 2000 native saplings were planted to help integrate the existing woodland, maximise biodiversity, and vastly increase the ecological value of the park. Also, wetland areas were created to filter and clean the water in the park as part of a recycling system that replenishes and helps clean the lake and water features. The wetland areas mimic the characteristics of natural wetlands and create a special ecosystem that encourages greater biodiversity in the park. (Ref. 1)

To test the newly developed Green Factor Tool for the City of Helsinki, with a focus on water management, two test sites (ätkäsaari pilot block and the three model yards in Kuninkaantammi) were created at residential blocks in Jätkäsaari and Kuninkaantammi. The tool itself is an Excel interface that calculates the quantity and quality of the city's green spaces per unit of area, It is part of the larger iWATER (integrated stormwater management) project (Ref 2). Specifically, after testing it on these two pilot sites, it is to support land use planning processes by providing a way to account for the quantity and quality of green space. The project aimed to analyze the cost-benefit of implemented sustainable stormwater solutions, compile stormwater-related planning tools as well as increase and strengthen the capacity of cities to work with stormwater issues (ref. 2).
One of the key objectives of developing the green factor method was to create green urban environments that have social value. Also, functionality was the second most important and cityscape (or landscape value) was the third most important category in green factor scoring.

As part of the EU Life+ CITYWATER project (of 3 cities), a sustainable stormwater management solution based on biofiltration was implemented in Maunulanpuisto Park in Helsinki, in order to purify rainwater and meltwater and improve water quality in the Haaganpuro Brook.
As the drainage area is heavily trafficked and paved with asphalt, high solid, nutrient and oil levels have occasionally been measured in the rainwater and meltwater entering the Haaganpuro brook. Such contamination is harmful to the fish stocks (e.g. trout) and other organisms in the brook. The biofiltration solution was the first of its kind in Helsinki. The solution also supported the City of Helsinki stormwater strategy, which aims at changing management towards sustainable solutions and states that stormwater should in first hand be infiltrated on spot, where it is created (ref. 1).

The landscaping of the Vuosaari landfill site has appeared to be an excellent example of ”Integrated Planning Approach” as following concepts were applied: restorative design; ecological design; regenerative development and conventional design (ref. 1). The unused Vuosaari landfill hill had been transformed into a natural area where now domestic plants grow in meadows and rocky conditions. The area is now also used for recreational, educational and scientific purposes (ref 1, 2). The purpose of the project was to promote social, economic and environmental activities at the Vuosaari landfill site (ref. 1).

The experimental green facade system consisting of four different types of green wall was installed in Nurnberg from 2013 until 2016 on Adolf-Braun-Strasse 33 and is an integrated greening system that enables self-sufficient, low-maintenance "hanging gardens" on facades and other vertical walls. The aim of the project is to experiment with recreating green spaces in the streets, asphalt surfaces, and backyards of some parts of Nuremberg overcoming numerous constraints and competing uses (1) The implementation has helped improve air quality, thermal insulation, wind and rain protection and lowering local temperatures in its proximity. (2)

The city of Wuppertal participates as a model region in the joint research project SAMUWA which aims at developing planning instruments which combine urban drainage with urban and open space development measures. With regards to the work package C.1: open space design strategies for a water sensitive city, one focus area and proposed measure, namely the "Varresbecker" flood channel is of special interest since it has been subject to comprehensive implementation plans in Wuppertal so that its implementation can be expected in the next years (Ref. 1, 2, 4 and 5). Alongside the water channel, a recreational area will be created with information to raise awareness about water management issues and climate change. (Ref. 2)

Following an extreme flood event on August 9th 2008 in Glendhu Park, eight houses experienced flooding and many more came within inches of being flooded. Two swales were constructed by Dublin City Council to provide surface water storage to ensure that no flooding will recur in a similar 100-year pluvial event. The swales are designed to self-drain back into the existing surface water sewer system following a severe storm event (Ref. 1).

Wetlands provide a varying degree of treatment of discharged water and are ideally suited for the containment and treatment of polluted water runoff, being a holistic example of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). The Dublin Local Authority installed an Integrated Constructed Wetland to treat polluted water discharged from the urban area, with the aim of cleaning urban runoff and drainage water. It was meant to purify water that discharges into a pond, and later on into the Tolka river. The project has been very successful in treating polluted water effectively, according to studies. (Ref. 1; Ref. 3)