1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Göteborg (FUA)
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Frihamnen (BEGIN) Project
Short description of the intervention
Since 2012, Gothenburg has worked with the Rivercity, an urban development project in the city centre, that uses different ways of working, with innovation at the core of its urban transformations projects. Frihamnen is one of the RiverCity Göteborg most vital projects which aims to unify the centre of Göteborg across the river and out towards Kvillebäcken, Lindholmen and Backaplan (districts). The environmental goal is to create climate adaptation by flood control & stormwater management. Additional benefits of the project are to make the area more attractive and create recreational areas. As part of the BEGIN project, the Frihamnen project aims to use 'blue-green' solutions (i.e. Blue Green Infrastructure through Social Innovation). (Ref. 1, 2)
Address

Frihamnen
Göteborg
Sweden

Area boundary
POINT (11.956825 57.71745)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
Google maps. Available at: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Frihamnen,+417+55+G%C3%B6teborg,+Sweden/@57.7164534,11.9549444,351m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x464ff4a054e4aec1:0x8e4f8c1a0550f251!8m2!3d57.7161988!4d11.959795. Accessed on 14th November, 2020.

Note: The boundaries for the project is unknown. The above co-ordinate indicates one of the points within the area.
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2016
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2017
End date of the intervention
2020
Present stage of the intervention
Please specify "other" stage of the intervention
The project was granted in the autumn of 2016 by the city of Göteborg and the project is set up to begin 2017. (Ref. 3, 4)
Note that Frihamnen is also a part of Göteborg 2021 (the anniversary planning) and much of the work is expected to be completed by the city’s anniversary in 2021. (Ref. 7)
The BEGIN project will run from 2017 to 2020. (Ref. 2)
Goals of the intervention
The overall objectives of BEGIN are:
1. To demonstrate improved climate change adaptation solutions through blue-green infrastructure (BGI) in urban areas, to capture and sustain BGI's multiple benefits by using social innovation.
2. To mainstream BGI into urban planning and operation by developing financially feasible business cases and overcoming governance barriers." (Ref. 5)

Göteborg is part of BEGIN because they aim to,
1. Exchange knowledge with other cities with similar challenges to be able to learn by implementing.
2. Develop a set of tools to ensure blue-green strategies can and are being implemented.
3. Include new business models, private-public partnerships, guidance for developers, governance, public participation in design and maintenance etc.
4. Gather experts’ advice on concrete solutions for social innovation.
5. Build a prototype for blue green infrastructure solution in a social context”(Ref. 6).

The environmental goal for Frihamnen is to create climate adaptation by flood control & stormwater management. Additional benefits of the project is to make the area more attractive and create more place.”(Ref. 1)
Quantitative targets
Unknown
Monitoring indicators defined
Unknown
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Implementation activities
Through various projects, BEGIN shows how cities can be better equipped for climate change through blue-green infrastructure. The pilot project The nose in the mud, like other buildings in Jubilee Park, has been built together with the public. More than 100 people were engaged in collaborative construction workshops with architects Recetas Urbanas. Together they nailed, sawed and screwed - forming a new meeting place. Everyone, regardless of their age and level of knowledge, has been able to participate and build. The nose in the mud is both an outdoor classroom and a playground, focusing on water. Here, all ages can explore the wonder of water, how it feels, flows and disappears. It is also possible to climb, run or rest in weather protection. The outdoor classroom is a destination for everyone and can be used by schools and preschools for teaching. The unique aspect of Rain Gothenburg is that we always highlight rain from architectural, social, cultural and climate-related perspectives when developing the city’s infrastructure. The unique aspect of Rain Gothenburg is that we always highlight rain from architectural, social, cultural and climate-related perspectives when developing the city’s infrastructure. The unique aspect of Rain Gothenburg is that we always highlight rain from architectural, social, cultural and climate-related perspectives when developing the city’s infrastructure. Rain Gothenburg is another project where rain is the theme for designing the infrastructure like rain Playground in Renströmsparken and "Rainfall” Climbing Frame etc. (Ref. 4)
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Parks and urban forests
Large urban parks or forests
Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces
Blue infrastructure
Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Vegetation Type
Please specify how many trees were planted
Unknown
Amenities offered by the NBS
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Water (surface and ground water for drinking and non-drinking purposes)
Regulating services
Flood regulation
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Recreation
Scale
Spatial scale
Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level
Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Beneficiaries
Governance
Non-government actors
Researchers, university
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The BEGIN project is a project where 10 cities and 6 research institutes combine forces to come towards BGI solutions and gather learning experiences. The 10 involved cities are developing BGI projects (e.g. Göteborg – Frihamnen project) and whiles the cities are developing the projects they will be engaged in a transnational exchange and city learning networks to share experiences and best practices. (Ref. 8)
Furthermore, different from traditional processes which merely inform or consult stakeholders, BEGIN will co- create, co-finance or self-organise pilot projects. Practically, cities start from planned investment projects and invite stakeholders using the most appropriate method from the Social Innovation toolbox. Transnational experts help facilitate the process: design workshops where a landscape architect facilitates incorporating ideas from community stakeholders or valorisation based on interviews and workshops where stakeholders score alternatives and benefits. (Ref. 9)
Key actors - initiating organization
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
EU body
Local government/municipality
Researchers/university
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
Yes
Please specify the "Regional Directive/Strategy"
The project is part of the BEGIN project (EU project) (Ref. 1, 3, 4) which is part of the ERDF North Sea Region Programme
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"
Frihamnen is also a part of Göteborg 2021 (the anniversary planning) (Ref. 4, 7).
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Mandatory (based on policy)
Intervention is mandatory
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
The Göteborg 2021, which is the anniversary planning for the city up to 2021 and beyond. (Ref. 4, 7)
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
As part of the Göteborg 2021, new forms of collaboration, networking and contacts are developed daily. (Ref. 4)
The BEGIN project (Blue Green Infrastructure through Social Innovation). (Ref. 1, 2)
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
The BEGIN project (Blue Green Infrastructure through Social Innovation). (Ref. 1, 2)
Researchers/academia are contributing to the anniversary planning (Göteborg 2021), which Frihamnen also is part of. (Ref. 4)
Also, the BEGIN project also involves six scientific partners experienced in the fields of social innovation and BGIs, including UNESCO-IHE, Royal College of Art, CIRIA, Hamburg University of Technology, University of Sheffield and the Erasmus University of Rotterdam. (Ref. 8)
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Interreg Europe funding (approx. EUR 100k per city)
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
Co-financing governance arrangements
Unknown
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Financing
Total cost
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 pilot project recently started, no funds have been paid yet. (Ref. 3). But, Interreg Europe funding (approx. EUR 100k per city) is used to facilitate social innovation by local and transnational professionals. (Ref. 9)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Type of innovation
Please specify social innovation
The project aims to demonstrate blue-green solutions through social innovation. (Ref. 2)
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
"The BEGIN project will bring together 10 Local Authorities across the NSR (North Sea Region) that are planning large investments during the project’s timeframe. Transnational cooperation between these Local Authorities is facilitated by a novel approach used from the start to the end of the project: City-to-City learning." (Ref. 9)
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The whole BEGIN project, which the pilot project Frihamnen is a part of, will create a replicable approach for implementing blue-green infrastructure and maintaining ecosystem services in cities. (Ref. 5)
Impacts, benefits
Description of environmental benefits
The project is in an ongoing phase. The expected impacts include:
1. BEGIN will demonstrate the value of ecosystem services using innovative economic valuation tools.
2. The project will incorporate BGI solutions into the scheme to deliver drainage management and other multiple benefits.
3. It supports existing grey infrastructure to cope with extreme weather events and improve disaster resilience.
4. It is a meeting place characterized by biodiversity and proximity to the water. (Ref 1, 8, 9 and 10)
Description of economic benefits
The project is in ongoing phase. Impacts are expected. 1. The activities and operation of the area are carried out in collaboration with the non-profit association Passalen and create jobs for about 30 young adults each year.
2. The place had just over 105,000 visitors in 2019, which is more than 25,000 more visitors than the previous year. Schools and preschools also visit the park regularly.
3. The place also provides the opportunity to grow vegetables and other edibles in their own box. (Ref 1, 8, 9 and 10)

Description of social and cultural benefits
The project is in an ongoing phase. Impacts are expected. 1. The project will facilitate social innovation by local and transnational professionals. 2. In the pilot project, more than 100 people were engaged in collaborative construction workshops with architects Recetas Urbanas. 3. In 2019, the outdoor classroom and the water play "Näsan i söt" were built. The outdoor classroom provided in the pilot project is a destination for everyone and can be used by schools and preschools for teaching. 4. The focus of the work is to involve citizens, that everyone should be able to participate regardless of functional ability and that young people should have a great influence. (Ref 1, 8, 9 and 10)
Type of reported impacts
Indicators
Unknown
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
Unknown as of November, 2020.
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Yes
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
City-to-city learning (transnational cooperation between these Local Authorities is facilitated by a novel approach used from the start to the end of the project). Social Innovation toolbox (cities start from planned investment projects and invite stakeholders using the most appropriate method from the Social Innovation toolbox).
"Value-based decision-making, implementation and monitoring: BEGIN will demonstrate the value of ecosystem services using innovative economic valuation tools. BEGIN adapts an internationally harmonised approach based on TEEB’s (The Economics of Ecosystems & Biodiversity, developed by UNEP, DEFRA, RWS), BeST (CIRIA) and Selling Sustainably (NSR SKINT). Transnational expert teams support implementation of BEGIN pilot projects following 4 iterative phases: 1) EXPLORE 2) ANALYSE 3) DESIGN 4) BUILD. E.g., BGI experts apply a flood model to analyse the drainage performance of a proposed BGI measure and communicate the quantified benefits to stakeholders." (Ref. 9)
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
List of references
Ref. 1. North Sea Region (n.d.) Frihamnen Project. Pilot Project, Gothenburg, Sweden. BEGIN. Retrieved from https://northsearegion.eu/begin/bgi-pilot-projects/gothenburg/ on 14th November, 2020.
Ref. 2. The University of Sheffield (2017) BEGIN: European coorperation to fight climate change. Urban studies and Planning. Retrieved from https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/usp/department/news-and-events on 14th November, 2020.
Ref. 3. Göteborgs Stad (2016) Inventering av EU-projekt i Göteborgs Stad 2016. Byggnadsnämnden. Göteborgs Stad. Retrieved from http://www4.goteborg.se/prod/Intraservice/Namndhandlingar/SamrumPortal.nsf/0BECE5436FCE8A43C12580E500369F33/$File/Final_Inventering%20EUprojekt%20SBK%202016.pdf?OpenElement on 14th November, 2020.
Ref. 4. Göteborg & Co (2017) Anniversary plan 2017. Together for an even better city. Göteborg 2021. Göteborgs Stad. Retrieved from https://www.goteborg2021.com/uploads/2017/06/Jubileumsplan_2017_ENG_SIDEbySIDE.pdf on 14th November, 2020.
Ref. 5. BEGIN (n.d.) Blue Green Infrastructure through social innovation. Retrieved from http://baxcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Blue-green-infrastructure-through-social-innovation.pdf on 14th November, 2020.
Ref. 6. North Sea Region (n.d.) City of Gothenburg. Project vision. BEGIN. Retrieved from https://northsearegion.eu/begin/about-us/gothenburg/ on 14th November, 2020.
Ref. 7. City of Gothenburg (n.d.) Frihamnen. Rivercity. Gothenburg 2021. Retrieved from https://stadsutveckling.goteborg.se/alvstaden/ on 14th November, 2020.
Ref. 8. North Sea Region (n.d.) About us. BEGIN. Retrieved from https://northsearegion.eu/begin/about-us/ on 14th November, 2020.
Ref. 9. North Sea Region (n.d.) Approach. BEGIN. Retrieved from https://northsearegion.eu/begin/approach/ on 14th November, 2020.
Ref. 10. Kelder, E. (2020) BEYOND 2020: Gothenburg to present BEGIN's innovative approach. North Sea Region. Retrieved from https://northsearegion.eu/begin/news/beyond-2020-gothenburg-to-present-begins-innovative-approach/ on 14th November, 2020.
Comments and notes
Public Images
Image
Jubilee Park
Northsearegion.eu
https://northsearegion.eu/begin/bgi-pilot-projects/gothenburg/
Image
Frihamnen Rivercity Project
Baxcomany
http://baxcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Blue-green-infrastructure-through-social-innovation.pdf