Green Roofs for Sustainable Water Management
This project was the first green roof in the city of Bologna, and it has been carried out by the University of Bologna in collaboration with the Columbia University of New York with the aim to prove more evidence on green roof stormwater performance. For the Engineering School of Bologna University the existing roofs had a load capacity that was able to host only an extensive roof, without the costly need of being reinforced. In the extensive roof type the vegetation is usually very drought resistant and plants can adapt to difficult environmental conditions, therefore sedum was chosen (1).
The Allotment Gardens of Oslo
The Allotment Gardens in Oslo are a part of the Norwegian Allotment Garden Association (NKHF). The allotments were created throughout the 1900s, and are still maintained to this day. The allotments within the NKHF aim to contribute to better life quality and a better childhood for children growing up in urban environments. They also act as “green lungs”, and provide an important resource for the city and the local environment. There are nine different allotment areas in Oslo, consisting of both private allotments and community gardens.
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Great-Granny's Garden at the Botanical Garden of Oslo University
The University's Botanical Garden is part of the National History Museum of Oslo and acts an important green space for both citizens and regional fauna. The Garden was founded in 1814 and is the oldest scientific garden in Norway, which through research, education and plant conservation seeks to increase public awareness of the importance of plant diversity. The Great-Granny's Garden is an important element in the Botanical Garden, aiming to preserve Norway’s horticultural heritage and prevent traditional fauna from disappearing, while encouraging sustainable use in future horticulture. The Garden also act as a sensory garden for people with dementia. (Ref.1,2)
Wall gardens and decorated patios of Córdoba
There is an old tradition to preserve the wall gardens and patios in the center of Cordoba. Every year, the Festival of the Courtyards of Cordoba opens the courtyards to the public and various prizes are awarded to residents based on the plant and floral arrangement of the patios, bars, and balconies. This festival was declared as a UNESCO Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2012. (Ref. 2,3)
Historical rain gardens at the Great Mosque of Cordoba
The rain gardens of the Great Mosque give an example of a sustainable urban drainage system built 1000 years ago (Ref.1,8,9). The Great Mosque is a world heritage site by UNESCO (Ref. 1); therefore the rain gardens are protected and will continue to provide a sustainable irrigation system needed for the arid climate of Andalusia (Ref. 8,9).
Urban farming in Högdalen
The project is focused on cultivating bazaars for climate-safe and labour-intensive cultivation and is located in an underground space under a shopping and community centre in Högdalen, a southern suburb of Stockholm. This underground cargo space at the shopping centre has been converted to a high-technology farming space that can be active all year-round. The goal is to create a small-scale industry and provide local job opportunities (Ref. 5, 6, 7).
Northern Station Park
Reconstruction is occurring in the Norra Stationsområdet area in the City of Stockholm, creating the city district Hagastaden (Haga City). In Haga City, an elongated hourglass-shaped park will be created called The Northern Station Park (sv. Norra Stationsparken). The park will run through the northern inner city from Torsplan and Hagaplan in the west to Norrtull in the east, and it is one of Stockholm's largest park initiatives. The first part of the new Norra Stationsparken in Hagastaden was to be inaugurated in September 2019 and the rest of the park is expected to be completed in 2024 (Ref. 1, 2, 8, 9).
Sotos de la Albolafia Natural Reserve
The Sotos de la Albolafia Natural Reserve is situated on a section along the Guadalquivir River, that runs from the Roman Bridge to the San Rafael Bridge (Ref. 3,14). It was declared Natural Monument in 2001 and is part of the Network of Protected Natural Areas of Andalusia (RENPA) due to its wide variety of birds (Ref. 5,15). "The declaration recognized the environmental value of the Sotos de la Albolafia, a singular natural enclave located in the urban center of a large city, in a monumental and historical environment also unique and with an unparalleled concentration in protected species, especially water birds and wetlands." (Ref. 3)
Pajaritos Neighborhood
This intervention is part of an action plan by the Junta de Andalucia to develop an intervention model for disadvantaged zones to facilitate the social inclusion of persons at risk or socially excluded, and the socioeconomic growth of the area. (Ref 1) The project is a pilot to transform one of Sevilla's poorest neighborhoods, Los Pajaritos, into an eco-neighborhood. (Ref 14)
Rey Moro Orchard
The Huerto del Rey Moro is an urban community orchard/ garden beside the historic house Casa del Rey Moro. It is one of the only open green spaces in the downtown area of Sevilla where activities of environmental education, leisure and socializing are performed. (Ref 2) The Rey Moro orchard is cited as keeping true to the historic and cultural use of the area since it has been used as an orchard on and off over the past 500 years. (ref 2) Thanks to citizens themselves, as citizens acted to keep it a public and open space against a proposed legislation that would destroy it. (Ref 5)

