1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Augsburg
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Kö-Park
Short description of the intervention
The creation of a new park in Augsburg within the reconstruction project of the Königsplatz (Konig square). The project combined two main goals: modern mobility in harmony with a new quality of life, accessibility of the natural environment inside the urban inner city. Formerly a traffic area, today it is a car-free habitat and green oasis for humans and nature (Ref. 1).
Address

Königspl
86150 Augsburg
Germany

Location
The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).
Area boundary
POINT (10.892849907322 48.366627179287)
POINT (10.893653492452 48.36512287356)
POINT (10.894958888628 48.366733079685)
POINT (10.894786899757 48.366901055841)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
Google Earth Pro (November 5, 2020). Coordinates offer a rough approximation of extent of NBS.
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Other
Please specify “other type of area” before implementation of the NBS
Traffic area (Ref. 1).
Website of the intervention
http://www.projekt-augsburg-city.de/gruen-in-augsburg/
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2008
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2011
End date of the intervention
2014
Present stage of the intervention
Completed
Goals of the intervention
1. To improve the environmental and aesthetic conditions of the area (Ref. 2)
2. To combine modern mobility and nature within the development of the urban inner city (Ref. 1)
3. To reduce traffic in the area (Ref. 1)
4. To create a green habitat for people and nature (Ref. 1)
5. To create an area for active recreation in the center of the city (Ref. 1)
Quantitative targets
Unknown
Monitoring indicators defined
Number of trees planted (Ref. 1)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Green space creation and/or management
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Regulation of built environment
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Enabling opportunities for physical activity
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Species-focused
Ecosystem-focused
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Protect and enhance urban habitats
Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
Protect species
Undertake specific measures to protect species
Implementation activities
1. First trees were planted in advance before the start of the reconstruction (Ref. 2)
2. Some of the overgrown trees was taken out and rejuvenated by new plantings (Ref. 1)
3. The former traffic-oriented Bahnhofstraße became the pedestrian zone (Ref. 2)
4. Some parts of the park were paved (Ref. 2)
5. Cycling paths installed (Ref. 2)
6. More than 20 benches installed 2000 daffodil bulbs planted, 75 bicycle racks (Ref. 1).
7. Great consideration was given to the natural inhabitants of the park. Bats, birds and root stocks were given special protection. The schedule was adjusted to the nesting times and hibernation of the animals. A modern root curtain protected the roots of the trees that were worth preserving" (Ref. 1).
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Grey infrastructure featuring greens
Alley or street trees and other street vegetation
Railroad bank and track greens
Parks and urban forests
Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces
Vegetation Type
Grass
Trees
Flower beds
Please specify how many trees were planted
280 planted, 176 felled, total of 175 new trees (Ref. 1)
Please specify other amenities offered by the NBS
75 bike racks (Ref. 1).
Amenities offered by the NBS
Benches and drinking water stations
Other
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Regulating services
Local climate regulation (temperature reduction)
Air quality regulation
Carbon storage/sequestration
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Recreation
Scale
Spatial scale
Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Citizens or community groups
Governance
Governance arrangements
Government-led
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The project was commissioned by Augsburg Office for Green Planning and Nature Conservation to a company Stadtwerke Augsburg. Stadtwerke Augsburg is a third-largest supply company in Bavaria, which provides around 350000 people in the Augsburg area with electricity, natural gas, district heating and drinking water. The Ko-Park project was developed within the Stadtwerke environmentally friendly mobility program for the city (Ref. 3). Landesbund für Vogelschutz (LBV), which aims at nature conservation and protection of natural habitats in the Bavarian region, were consultants at Ko-Park project (Ref. 1,4).
All measures were already coordinated with the nature conservation authorities, biologists and interest groups such as the State Association for Bird Protection as part of the planning process, but also during implementation (ref 1.)
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Local government/municipality
Non-government organisation/civil society
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Citizens or community group
Please specify other participatory methods
Citizen voted against the construction of a traffic tunnel under the square by a majority of 68.1 percent in 2010, so local authorities opted for a new traffic management system (Ref. 6).
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Other
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
Yes
Please specify the "Regional Directive/Strategy"
The EU Habitats Directive ensures the conservation of a wide range of rare, threatened or endemic animal and plant species. Some 200 rare and characteristic habitat types are also targeted for conservation in their own right (Ref. 5).
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
Ko-Park is developed within the Augsburg urban development plan "Project Augsburg City" (Development plan №500 "Königsplatz and Augsburg-Boulevard"). The Project assumes the regeneration of the urban mobility and greenery in the center of the city (Ref. 1).
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Mandatory (based on policy)
Intervention is mandatory
Spatial planning guidance
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify the general plan with GI/NBS section
Strategy of pursuing the development of green spaces within the "Augsburg urban development plan "Project Augsburg City" (Ref. 1).
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
Municipal / city level environmental plan or programme
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Co-finance for NBS
Unknown
Co-financing governance arrangements
Unknown
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?
Unknown
What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?
Unknown
Please specify cost savings
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
The project was financed by the city of Augsburg (Ref. 6).
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Business models
Green densification model
Urban offsetting model (biodiversity or water)
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Type of innovation
Social
Governance innovation
Please specify social innovation
The construction of the Kö-Park was conducted with a sensible harmony with animals and plants inhabiting the area. The city of Augsburg and Stadtwerke Augsburg consistently acted in their responsibility for the environment. For this reason, all building measures have already been coordinated with biologists and with stakeholder associations, such as the Landesbund für Vogelschutz, as part of the planning process, but also during implementation with nature conservation authorities. It was taken utmost care to the natural inhabitants of the park. Bats, birds and root stocks were particularly protected. The timetable was adjusted to nesting times and winter sleep of the animals. A modern root curtain protected the roots of the preserved trees (Ref. 1).
Novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Climate change
Energy efficiency improvements
Environmental quality
Improved air quality
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Reduced biodiversity loss
Description of environmental benefits
Climate change:
-Generation of renewable energy: "The felled trees are processed into wood chips and converted into energy in the biomass thermal power station. About a dozen of the felled trees pay into the “eco-account” of the city of Augsburg. This means that they will be set up on the »Branntweinbach« compensation area as life-giving dead wood and thus become a new home for animals of all kinds, such as bats and insects. There are a total of several hundred trees spread over the entire Augsburg Boulevard (from Eserwall to the city theater)" (Ref. 1).

Environmental quality:
-Increased air quality: "Part of the outdated tree population was removed and rejuvenated by replanting. The result: more trees, more light, air and space in the park. It is particularly inviting and friendly around the Thormann fountain. Active and recreational areas give Kö-Park a completely new atmosphere and role in our city" (Ref. 1).

Green space and habitat:
-Increased green space area/Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems (local habitats for local species)/Reduction of biodiversity loss: "That is why all measures were already coordinated with the nature conservation authorities, biologists and interest groups such as the State Association for Bird Protection as part of the planning process, but also during implementation. Great consideration was given to the natural inhabitants of the park. Bats, birds and root stocks were given special protection. The schedule was adjusted to the nesting times and hibernation of the animals. A modern root curtain protected the roots of the trees that were worth preserving" (Ref. 1). "For each felled tree, replanting was carried out as part of the Kö conversion, even several times. To be precise: 280 replanted trees for every 176 trees removed" (Ref. 1).
Economic impacts
Unknown
Description of economic benefits
Unknown
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved liveability
Improved access to urban green space
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Description of social and cultural benefits
Social justice and cohesion:
-Improvement of liveability/Improved access to urban green space: "All goals come together at the new Königplatz: modern mobility in harmony with a new quality of life, lively nature meets urban inner city. Formerly a traffic area, today a car-free living space and a green oasis for people and nature" (Ref. 1).

Health and wellbeing:
-Gain in activities for recreation and exercise: cycle paths were installed and the the former traffic-oriented Bahnhofstraße became the pedestrian zone (Ref. 2)
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
Number of new flowers planted, number of new trees planted, number of trees rejuvenated (Ref. 1).
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Environmental quality
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
No information available
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Improved access to green and/or blue spaces
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
No specific information available as of November 5, 2020. Augsburg entered a partial second lockdown on October 30, 2020: "Due to the high incidence figures in Augsburg, the nationwide and Bavaria-wide measures in the Augsburg city area have been in effect since Friday, October 30th, 9 p.m. A maximum of 2 households can meet. Catering establishments are only allowed to sell to-go. In addition, the following three regulations apply in the urban area:
Extended mask requirement in the city area (inner city area, playgrounds, main traffic axes, areas on the Wertach, Kuhsee and Hochablass)
Ban on alcohol consumption from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the entire public space
Retail businesses and public institutions: Disinfectant dispensers must be used at the entrance".
Available at: https://www.augsburg.de/umwelt-soziales/gesundheit/coronavirus/vor-infektionen-schuetzen
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
No evidence in public records
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Unknown
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Unknown
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Yes
Mode(s) of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Other
Please specify other modes of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Citizens voted for the specific planning options announced by a local government and evaluated them (6)
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
Unsere Verantwortung: natürlich grün
Der Kö-Park wird gepflastert
Stadtwerke Augsburg
Landesbund für Vogelschutz (LBV)
The EU Habitats Directive
Königsplatz (Augsburg)
List of references
1. Porjekt Augsburg (n.d.). Unsere Verantwortung: natürlich grün. Available at: http://www.projekt-augsburg-city.de/gruen-in-augsburg/ (Accessed: November 4, 2020).
2. Krog, S. (2012). Der Kö-Park wird gepflastert. Available at: http://www.mieterverein-augsburg.de/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/gastkommentar.pdf (Accessed: November 4, 2020).
3. Stadtwerke Augsburg. (n.d.). Stadtwerke Augsburg. Available at: https://www.sw-augsburg.de/ueber-uns/ (Website not available in 2020).
4. LBV (n.d.). The EU Habitats Directive, Landesbund für Vogelschutz (LBV). Available at: http://www.lbv.de/ueber-uns.html (Accessed: November 4, 2020).
5. European Commission (n.d.). The Habitats Directive. Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/habitatsdirective/index_en.htm (Accessed: November 4, 2020).
6. Wikipedia (n.d.). Königsplatz (Augsburg). Available at: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6nigsplatz_(Augsburg)#cite_note-7 (Accessed: November 4, 2020).
Comments and notes
Pictures of the NBS
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/pac-mobilymap-mehr-gruen-1200x717px-breit.jpg
Public Images
People walking along a path in a park with trees
https://www.projekt-augsburg-city.de/gruen-in-augsburg/