1. General information Location and description of the intervention City or FUA Berlin (FUA) Region Europe Native title of the NBS intervention Ökologische und nachhaltige Sanierung auf dem Reginhard-Schulhof Short description of the intervention The schoolyard at Reginhard Primary School in Reinickendorf faced persistent challenges, often becoming unusable due to poor drainage. After rainfall, water would pool, leaving the yard submerged and inaccessible to the 400 primary school pupils. Even in dry weather, the schoolyard was far from ideal: a lack of play equipment made it uninviting, and in summer, the area became excessively hot, offering little comfort or shade. Both children and the school community, including teaching staff and parents, voiced a strong desire for improvement. Adding to the urgency for redesign, Berliner Wasserbetriebe imposed a discharge restriction, requiring rainwater to be managed on-site. This led to a comprehensive transformation of the school grounds. Large areas were unsealed, allowing water to seep naturally into the ground. Underground seepage systems were installed to enhance drainage, and the redesign introduced green spaces, a school garden, and near-natural play and exercise areas. These changes not only resolved the flooding issue but also created a more inviting and sustainable environment for students. The focus on ecological and sustainable design improved the microclimate, providing cooler surroundings and enabling outdoor breaks filled with activity and fresh air. The redesign transformed the schoolyard into a vibrant space that meets the needs of both children and the environment. This project was funded by the Berlin Programme for Sustainable Development (BENE Umwelt) and financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). (Ref. 3; Ref. 4) Website of the intervention https://regenwasseragentur.berlin/projekte/reginhard-grundschule/ Principal problems Climate-Related Hazards Urban flooding (stormwater) Heat stress & Extreme temperatures Land use and Socio-economic change Unequal availability and access to public green spaces Health, Well-being and Social cohesion Inadequate access to recreational opportunities Implementation area characterization Climate Continental (Cold-summer humid continental, Cold-winter dry continental, Cold-summer dry continental) Ecosystem Urban or built environment Address Letteallee 39 13409 Berlin 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 (map-based) NBS area image Source of NBS area image https://www.google.de/maps/@52.5637442,13.3702978,158m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAwMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D Total area 2850.00m² NBS area 2850.00m² Area description Urban (main city) Type of area before implementation of the NBS Other Please specify “other type of area” before implementation of the NBS Schoolground Timeline of intervention Start date of the intervention (planning process) 2018 Start date of intervention (implementation process) 2018 End date of the intervention 2021 Present stage of the intervention Completed 2. Objectives of the intervention Objectives of the intervention Goals of the intervention To prevent flooding by installing infiltration systems. (Ref. 3) To improve the microclimate through unsealing the grounds and providing shade. (Ref. 3) To increase the greening of outdoor areas. (Ref. 3) To improve the play and recreational value of the space for children. (Ref. 3) To create areas where children can experience and learn about nature. (Ref. 3) Key Priorities Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation) Social Justice and community Sustainability challenge(s) addressed Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13) Climate change adaptation Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15) Green space creation and/or management Water management (SDG 6) Flood protection Stormwater and rainfall management and storage Health and well-being (SDG 3) Creation of opportunities for recreation Enabling opportunities for physical activity Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10) Environmental education Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets? Increase urban vegetation cover to reduce urban heat island effect Implement sustainable urban drainage schemes to manage stormwater Implementation activities and NBS focus Implementation activities The school yard experienced an eco-social upgrading and improvement of its rainwater management. The existing infiltration trench was renewed and enlarged, and trees, shrubs, flowering shrubs and a school garden were implemented, which constitute settings for a green classroom and spaces to encounter nature. Natural-based materials were used to construct and design play and exercise areas on the grounds. The degree of sealing was reduced. Of the total area of 2,850 square metres, 1,461 square metres were designed with water-permeable surfaces or unsealed. This corresponds to a degree of sealing of around 50% and a reduction in sealed surfaces of around 20% compared to the existing area. This measure has improved the microclimate and the groundwater recharge rate in the school playground. (Ref. 3) An important element in the nature-orientated redesign of the schoolyard was the involvement of the student parliament. Thanks to the children's' involvement, a boulder was given a new lease of life. (Ref. 4) Type of NBS project Creation of new green areas Creation of any other green urban spaces 3. NBS domains, ES and scale NBS domain and interventions Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented Grey infrastructure featuring greens Green playgrounds and school grounds Amenities offered by the NBS Benches and drinking water stations Playgrounds Sports areas and equipment Design elements for well-being None of the above Services Expected ecosystem services delivered Regulating services Local climate regulation (temperature reduction) Flood regulation Cultural services Recreation Mental and physical health and wellbeing Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational) Scale Spatial scale Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings) Beneficiaries Demographics in implementation area The school is located in the district of Reinickendorf. In 2023, approx. 268.800 people lived in Reinickendorf. Out of these, approx. 45.000 people had a diverse ethnic background and German citizenship and approx. 60.000 people were classified as foreigners. The average age is 44,6 years old. (Ref. 5) Socio-economic profile of the area Unknown Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts Unknown Non-government actors Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital) Primary Beneficiaries Young people and children Specify primary beneficiaries The school children benefit the most from the project, as they have greater recreational opportunities and a cooler environment. (Ref. 4) Marginalized groups Unknown Other beneficiaries Ecosystem services (e.g. improved air quality, water purification) City infrastructure (e.g., reduced flooding, improved water quality) Public health (e.g. increased physical activity opportunities, reduced stress) 4. Governance and financing Governance Governance arrangements Co-governance with government and non-government actors Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative The project was financed by the regional government through the Berlin Programme for Sustainable Development (BENE Umwelt) and EU funding . The project was designed by a landscape architect and the school children participated in the implementation of the project. The school had to implement the project due to a discharge restriction imposed by the Berlin water company. (Ref. 3; Ref. 4) Key actors - initiating organization Public sector institution Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors) Regional government Private sector/corporate actor/company EU body Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders) Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping) Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting) Uncommon actors ("Missing actors") Public Services Schools Land owners Educational actor (schools or universities) Policy drivers NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy Unknown NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan Unknown NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan Unknown Mandatory or voluntary intervention Voluntary (spontaneous) Enablers & Barriers Type of enablers Support from transitional governance actors Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city) Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives. The redesign was funded by the Berlin Programme for Sustainable Development (BENE Umwelt), which is financed partially by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and regional allocated budget. BENE Umwelt promotes environmental protection in and around disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods and helps to achieve Berlin's climate targets. Governace and decison-making instruments Economic and fiscal instruments (e.g. subsidies or grants, charges or fees, payments for ecosystem services (PES)) Arrangements for governance cooperation Unknown Barriers The available space was limited: pipes, trees and play equipment with foundations above infiltration bodies would be difficult. For this reason, infiltration bodies were installed under wooden decks, wooden walkways and under a small football pitch area. (Ref. 3) Financing Total cost €500,000 - €2,000,000 Please specify total cost (EUR) total costs: 598.000,00 € BENE funding: € 598,000.00 of which ERDF: € 299,000.00 (Ref. 2) Investment costs for decentralised water management: approx. 88,000€ Operating costs: Cleaning the channels and the filter in the shaft estimated at approx. 3,000 - 4,000€ Main cost drivers in planning and implementation: Supply and disposal systems (trenches) approx. 48,000€ Soil removal: approx. 40,000€ Playground, play areas, platforms, etc.: approx. 250,000€ Traffic areas: 10,000€ Furnishings: approx. 25,000€ Plants: 10,000€ Other (clearing, digital measurement, etc.): 55,000€ Planning costs: 88,000€ Preliminary soil survey: 5,000€ (Ref. 3) What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements? 598.000,00 € (Ref. 2) Source(s) of funding Public regional budget EU funds Type of fund(s) used Earmarked public budget Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities) Non-financial contribution Unknown Who provided the non-financial contribution? Citizens (e.g. volunteering) Co-finance for NBS Yes Co-governance arrangement Unknown Entrepreneurship opportunities No Business models Business models Urban offsetting model (biodiversity or water) Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model? Public actor (e.g. municipality) 5. Evaluation and learning Impacts, benefits Environmental impacts Climate change Lowered local temperature Achieved lowered local temperature Water management and blue areas Improved stormwater management Achieved improved stormwater management Green space and habitat Increased green space area Achieved increased green space area Description of environmental benefits Lowered local temperature: "This measure has improved the microclimate and the groundwater recharge rate in the school playground. (Ref. 3)" Improved stormwater management: "The degree of sealing was reduced. Of the total area of 2,850 square metres, 1,461 square metres were designed with water-permeable surfaces or unsealed. This corresponds to a degree of sealing of around 50% and a reduction in sealed surfaces of around 20% compared to the existing area. This measure has improved the microclimate and the groundwater recharge rate in the school playground. (Ref. 3)" --Achieved increased green space area: "The degree of sealing was reduced. Of the total area of 2,850 square meters, 1,461 square meters were designed with water-permeable surfaces or were unsealed. This corresponds to a degree of sealing of around 50 percent and a reduction in the sealed areas of around 20 percent compared to the existing area. This measure improved ecological and sustainable aspects in the schoolyard, such as the microclimate and the groundwater recharge rate." (Ref. 3) Economic impacts Unknown Description of economic benefits Unknown Social and cultural impacts Health and wellbeing Gain in activities for recreation and exercise Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise Enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief Achieved enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief Description of social and cultural benefits Gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "With ecological and sustainable aspects in mind, a place was designed that allows for breaks characterised by exercise in the fresh air." (Ref. 4) Enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief: "The Reginhard schoolyard in Reinickendorf demonstrates ecological and sustainable refurbishment in practice. Berlin's schoolchildren are given the balance they need to learn thanks to a schoolyard that brings joy to people and nature." (Ref. 4) Mental health benefits Restoration and relaxation Increased feelings of happiness and contentment 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 Name of any specific impact assessment tools Unknown Use of GIS in mapping impacts No evidence in public records Cost-benefit analysis Unknown Transparency Inclusion of diverse stakeholders in project governance processes (e.g. planning, implementation, monitoring, etc.) Public disclosure of project funding sources and/or budgets Justice Community satisfaction Positive: The majority of feedback and reports indicate high levels of satisfaction and appreciation for the NBS project within the community. Description of locals satisfaction with the project Although no direct feedback from children is mentioned, the usage of the schoolyard has increased, leading to the assumption that the school children are happy with the new design and implementation: "‘The schoolyard is now used much more by the children and at the same time we are also making a contribution to Berlin's climate targets.’" (Ref. 4) Trade-offs & Negative impacts Unknown Please specify Trade-offs & Negative impacts Selected Unknown Emphasis of existing social inequalities or injustices No information reported related to negative social justice-related impacts of the NBS project Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement No initiatives or policies were implemented High-quality & Transformative NBS Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community) Yes Goal setting and impacts delivery No, although benefits were delivered in all the 3 key areas, but in the planning phase, the project did not aim to address issues in all the 3 key priority areas. Reaching original project goals Most of the project goals were achieved Please specify the achievements of the project goals Climate action: Lowered local temperature: "This measure has improved the microclimate and the groundwater recharge rate in the school playground. (Ref. 3)" Improved stormwater management: "The degree of sealing was reduced. Of the total area of 2,850 square metres, 1,461 square metres were designed with water-permeable surfaces or unsealed. This corresponds to a degree of sealing of around 50% and a reduction in sealed surfaces of around 20% compared to the existing area. This measure has improved the microclimate and the groundwater recharge rate in the school playground. (Ref. 3)" --Achieved increased green space area: "The degree of sealing was reduced. Of the total area of 2,850 square meters, 1,461 square meters were designed with water-permeable surfaces or were unsealed. This corresponds to a degree of sealing of around 50 percent and a reduction in the sealed areas of around 20 percent compared to the existing area. This measure improved ecological and sustainable aspects in the schoolyard, such as the microclimate and the groundwater recharge rate." (Ref. 3) Social justice and community: Gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "With ecological and sustainable aspects in mind, a place was designed that allows for breaks characterised by exercise in the fresh air." (Ref. 4) Enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief: "The Reginhard schoolyard in Reinickendorf demonstrates ecological and sustainable refurbishment in practice. Berlin's schoolchildren are given the balance they need to learn thanks to a schoolyard that brings joy to people and nature." (Ref. 4) Long-term perspective Unknown: No information about the project's long-term sustainability. Cost-effective solutions Unknown Equitable impacts C. Unknown Transformative capacity Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution) Technical change (e.g. built infrastructure of cities and their parts, roads, buildings and so on) Magnitude of change Reformist: by focusing on addressing underlying drivers of change but failing to address the problem structurally or systemically Application of lessons learned The NBS has been shared or used as a good practice to trigger transformative change Perception of Environmental Change Unknown 6. Sources References 1. Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises (n.d.). Infoblättern zu Projekten. Accessed on September 23, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 2. Butz, A. (n.d.). In Berlin erfolgreich für mehr Umweltgerechtigkeit – das Programm BENE Umwelt. Accessed on September 23, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 3. Berliner Regenwasseragentur (n.d.). Reginhard-Grundschule Umgestaltung der Außenanlage. Accessed on September 23, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 4. Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises (n.d.). Europa macht Berlin – Fit für die Zukunft. Accessed on September 23, 2024, [Download]; 5. Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg (n.d.). Einwohnerstand in Berlin - Grunddaten. Accessed on September 23, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; Comments and notes Comments Only very limited information is available on the involved actors/stakeholders and how they were engaged in the implementation process. Public Images Image The new schoolyard with trees and a new play ground Keil Landschaftsarchitekten
