1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Greater Nottingham
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Nottingham in Bloom
Short description of the intervention
“The Nottingham in Bloom campaign is a city-wide partnership which includes residents, businesses, schools, community groups and a wide range of volunteers. The aim is to encourage more people to get involved to improve their local area. Together they [through the campaign] produce horticultural excellence and enhance the local landscape, the environment and the character of Nottingham.” (Ref. 1)
Address

Nottingham
United Kingdom

Location
The NBS is a city-wide initiative, the GIS point marks the centre of the city
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Residential
Website of the intervention
http://www.nottmbloom.org.uk/
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
1996
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
1996
End date of the intervention
ongoing
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Please specify "other" stage of the intervention
In 2016, the Nottingham in Bloom campaign was in its 20th year. (Ref. 2 )
Nottingham in Bloom is a year-round campaign. (Ref. 3)
Goals of the intervention
The Nottingham in Bloom year-round campaign is about making the city cleaner and greener all while promoting interaction among local communities. (ref. 2, 3)
Sustainability is essential to the campaign and aims to promote environmentally friendly and cost-effective measures. It is a city-wide partnership which includes residents, businesses, schools, community groups and a wide range of volunteers, which aims to encourage more people to get involved to improve their local areas. (ref. 1)
Furthermore, the city aims to improve biodiversity by planting wildflower meadows in city parks (encouraging wildlife and challenging residents' perception of management and maintenance of grassland in semi-formal settings"). (ref. 5)
The campaign aims to highlight how gardens and green spaces can improve health and happiness. (ref. 2)
Quantitative targets
Plant another 6 wildflower meadows in parks in Nottingham in 2012 (ref. 5)
Planting wildflower meadows in city parks a total of 2.7 hectares, e.g. in Woodthorpe Park (including bee-friendly habitat by a member of the Nottingham in Bloom Design Group) (ref 5)
Monitoring indicators defined
hectares of wildflower meadows planted in city parks; number of wildflower meadows planted in Nottingham parks in 2012 (ref. 5)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Green space creation and/or management
Environmental quality
Waste management
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Inclusive governance
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social cohesion
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Enabling opportunities for physical activity
Improving mental health
Improving physical health
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Sustainable consumption
Sustainable production
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Protect and enhance urban habitats
Create new habitats
Protect species
Undertake specific measures to protect species
Undertake specific measures to protect native species
Undertake specific measures to protect endangered species
Undertake specific measures to protect valued species
Implementation activities
Works to produce horticultural excellence; enhance the local landscape; the environment; recycles/reuses plants; supports/encourages local neighborhoods (ref. 1). Also, many opportunities are available (for e.g. local businesses to sponsor) including sponsoring a traffic island, park, flowerbed or floral feature (ref. 4 ). Also, activities include involvement in the 'Neighborhood Bloom campaigns' (a scheme which involves people to work together in order to brighten up the landscape, including growing fruit/vegetables and creating communal planting areas) (ref. 3, 2).
Planting wildflower meadows in city parks a total of 2.7 hectares, e.g. in Woodthorpe Park (including bee-friendly habitat by a member of the Nottingham in Bloom Design Group). Also, the amount of seasonal bedding on traffic islands/parks has been reduced: uses mostly permanent planting to create sustainable/attractive displays that are better for wildlife (ref. 5).
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
Transformation of previously derelict 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
Parks and urban forests
Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces
Other
Community gardens and allotments
Community gardens
Horticulture
Please specify "other parks or (semi)natural urban green area"
planting wildflower meadows in city parks (ref. 5)
Please specify the number of plots or allotment gardens
unknown
Vegetation Type
Grass
Flower beds
Garden beds
Other
Please specify other amenities offered by the NBS
Wildflower meadows in city park (ref. 5)
Amenities offered by the NBS
Viewing and outlook points
Other
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Food for human consumption (crops, vegetables)
Genetic materials from all biota
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Maintenance of genetic diversity
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Recreation
Physical and experiential interactions with plants and animals
Social and community interactions
Other
Please specify "other cultural service"
Activities include involvement in the 'Neighbourhood Bloom campaigns' (a scheme which involves people to work together in order to brighten up the landscape, including growing fruit/vegetables and creating communal planting areas). (ref. 3, 2)
Scale
Spatial scale
Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Local government/Municipality
Non-government organisation/Civil Society
Private sector/Corporate/Company
Citizens or community groups
Please specify other local relevant strategy
Food production: The Local Food Growing Framework. (Ref. 6)
Governance
Governance arrangements
Government-led
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
A year-round campaign by the Nottingham City Council aiming for a cleaner and greener city: in collaboration with members of tenants' and residents' associations, Neighbourhood Bloom groups, citizens (individuals). And the Nottingham in Bloom Garden Competition is sponsored by Notts Wildlife Trust. (Ref. 1, 3, 5)
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Land owners
No information found
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Local government/municipality
Non-government organisation/civil society
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Researchers/university
Citizens or community group
Land owners
No information found
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Dissemination of information and education
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Co-management/Joint management
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an 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
Yes
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
It is a Nottingham City Council aim to make the city cleaner and greener. (Ref. 3)
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Mandatory (based on policy)
Intervention is mandatory
Environmental regulation
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
‘Breathing Space’ – Strategic Framework for the Management of Nottingham’s Open and Green Spaces 2010-2020. (Ref. 6)
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 Local Food Growing Framework. (Ref. 6)
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
City specific green space strategy or plan
Other
Please specify other vegetation type
improve biodiversity by planting wildflower meadows in city parks (encouraging wildlife and challenging residents' perception of management and maintenance of grassland in semi-formal settings"). (ref. 5)l growing fruit/vegetables and creating communal planting areas). (ref. 3, 2)
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Partnership with Nottinghamshire Beekeeping Association (which has published their work with displays at high-profile events run by Nottingham in Bloom and the Parks and Open Spaces Services). (Ref. 5); The NCC’s partnership with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (i.e. Wildlife in the city) has enabled Nottingham in Bloom to run workshops for local community on the subject of 'Wildlife gardening' (delivered by the Wildlife in the city project). (Ref. 5)
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Grants through the Community Chest Fund (University of Nottingham). (Ref. 7) ; University of Nottingham provides a grant of up to £500 (around 560 EUR) for projects (e.g. in 2012 through an involvement with the Nottingham in Bloom Student Garden Competition). (Ref. 7)
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Grants through the Community Chest Fund (University of Nottingham). (Ref. 7)
Also, the campaign includes sponsorship of parks, flowerbeds and traffic islands (by local businesses). (Ref. 8)
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?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
€10,000 - €50,000
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)
University of Nottingham provides a grant of up to £500 (around 560 EUR) for projects (e.g. in 2012 through an involvement with the Nottingham in Bloom Student Garden Competition). (Ref. 7)
Prices of sponsorship (by local business) start at £1,000 (around 1100 EUR) per year and can be made on monthly bases. (Ref. 8)
Source(s) of funding
Corporate investment
Private Foundation/Trust
Other
Please specify other source of funding
University of Nottingham provides a grant of up to £500 (around 560 EUR) for projects (e.g. in 2012 through an involvement with the Nottingham in Bloom Student Garden Competition). (Ref. 7)
Type of fund(s) used
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Other
Please specify other type of fund used
Sponsorships by local businesses. (Ref. 8)
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of land
Provision of labour
Exchange of services
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Other
Business models
Local stewardship model
Vacant space model
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Citizens / local communities
Type of innovation
Social
Governance innovation
Cultural innovation
Please specify social innovation
Provides recreational green spaces, encourages individuals to engage in activities in local areas. (Ref. 1, 3); 'Neighbourhood Bloom campaigns' (a scheme which involves people to work together in order to brighten up the landscape, including growing fruit/vegetables and creating communal planting areas). (Ref. 3, 2) Governance: aims to encourage more people to get involved to improve their local areas. (Ref. 1)
Novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Replicability/Transferability
Ambiguous (e.g. multiple interpretations)
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The NCC’s partnership with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (i.e. Wildlife in the city) has enabled Nottingham in Bloom to run workshops for local community on the subject of 'Wildlife gardening' (delivered by the Wildlife in the city project). (Ref. 5)
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Reduced biodiversity loss
Increased number of species present
Enhanced support of pollination
Increased spread of native/heirloom/open-pollinated seed
Description of environmental benefits
Series of workshops to the local community about wildlife gardening, train domestic gardeners and community groups about introducing wildlife (bees and pollinators) in their own gardens and green spaces. Nature and breeding habitats as well as wildlife friendly plants are encouraged to plant (ref. 5).

Planting wildflower meadows in city parks a total of 2.7 hectares, e.g. in Woodthorpe Park (including bee-friendly habitat by a member of the Nottingham in Bloom Design Group). Also, the amount of seasonal bedding on traffic islands/parks has been reduced: uses mostly permanent planting to create sustainable/attractive displays that are better for wildlife (ref. 5).
Economic impacts
Unknown
Description of economic benefits
Unknown
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved social cohesion
Fair distribution of social, environmental and economic benefits of the NBS project
Improved liveability
Improved access to urban green space
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Increased access to healthy/affordable food
Increased sustainability of agriculture practices
Health and wellbeing
Improved physical health
Improved mental health
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Improvement in people’s connection to nature
Education
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Please specify other environmental justice issue
Nottingham in Bloom involvement in e.g. 'The Meadows' was assessed by the RHS Britain in Bloom, which include sections on environmental responsibility. (Ref. 5, 9)
Description of social and cultural benefits
The campaign aims to highlight how gardens and green spaces can improve health and happiness.
Charity Nature in Mind was set up a couple of years ago and supports people with mental health problems through engagement with nature-related activities throughout the city (ref. 2).
Nottingham in Bloom, now in it’s 20th year, is about making the city cleaner and greener all while promoting interaction among local communities (ref. 2).
The NCC’s partnership with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (i.e. Wildlife in the city) has enabled Nottingham in Bloom to run workshops for local community on the subject of 'Wildlife gardening' (delivered by the Wildlife in the city project). (Ref. 5)

supports/encourages local neighborhoods (ref. 1).

Series of workshops to the local community about wildlife gardening, train domestic gardeners and community groups about introducing wildlife (bees and pollinators) in their own gardens and green spaces. (Ref 5)
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
ha of wildflower meadows
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Waste management
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Inclusive governance
Effective management
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social cohesion
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Enabling opportunities for physical activity
Improving physical health
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
Voluntary work opportunities
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Positive distribution of NBS benefits
Improved access to green and/or blue spaces
Increased access to healthy food for humans and/or animals
Other
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
The project data was implemented on 25 July 2020. Although the project implementation was not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, no information was available on the current impacts of the pandemic on the NBS area.
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
No evidence in public records
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Observation (including virtual surveillance methods)
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
Yes
Link to monitoring/evaluation reports
http://nottfoe.gn.apc.org/1203Nottm-bees.pdf
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Nottingham in Bloom involvement in e.g. 'The Meadows' was assessed by the RHS Britain in Bloom, which include sections on environmental responsibility. (Ref. 5, 9)
Also the ‘Area Commentaries and Impact Assessment Toolkit (“use the open spaces toolkit to ensure that feedback is presented to all relevant development proposals”). (Ref. 6)
Link to the output of assessments
http://www.cumbria-in-bloom.org.uk/Attachments/RHS%20Britain%20in%20Bloom%20Jud…
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
Through volunteering and participating in workshops. (Ref. 10, 5) ; The ‘Area Commentaries and Impact Assessment Toolkit (“use the open spaces toolkit to ensure that feedback is presented to all relevant development proposals”). (Ref. 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
Ref. 1
Ref. 2
Ref. 3
Ref. 4
Ref. 5
Ref. 6
Ref. 7
Ref. 8
Ref. 9
List of references
1. Nottingham in Bloom. (n.d.) About Nottingham Bloom. About Us. Accessed 16 July 2020. Available at: http://www.nottmbloom.org.uk/about-us/
2. CBJ Spotlight. (2016). Nottingham in Bloom: Greening grey Britain. Armstrong, J. News. Accessed 16 July 2020. Available at: https://cbjspotlight.co.uk/2016/02/19/nottingham-in-bloom-greening-grey-britain/
3. Nottingham city council. (n.d.) Nottingham in Bloom. Outdoor activities. Accessed 16 July 2020. Available at: https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/earlyyears/activities-e-library/oosc-activities-interests-for-aged-5plus/outdoor-activities/nottingham-in-bloom/.
4. Nottingham in Bloom. (n.d.) Nottingham in Bloom: Home. Accessed 16 July 2020. Available at: http://www.nottmbloom.org.uk/
5. Nottingham in Bloom. (2012). Nottingham in Bloom and Nottingham city council parks and open spaces. Accessed 16 July 2020. Available at: http://nottfoe.gn.apc.org/1203Nottm-bees.pdf
6. Nottingham city council. (n.d.) Breathing Space: Revitalising Nottingham's open and green spaces. Accessed 16 July 2020. Available at: file:///C:/Users/NOREEN~1/AppData/Local/Temp/Breathing_Space_Strategy_171438.pdf
7. University of Nottingham. (n.d.) Community chest fund. Your Community. UK. Accessed 16 July 2020. Available at: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/currentstudents/yourcommunity/community-chest-fund/communitychestfund.aspx
8. Nottingham in Bloom. (n.d.) Sponsoring Nottingham in Bloom. Accessed 16 July 2020. Available at: http://www.nottmbloom.org.uk/sponsors/
9. Nottingham in Bloom. (n.d.) Volunteering for Nottingham in Bloom. Accessed 16 July 2020. Available at: http://www.nottmbloom.org.uk/volunteers/
Comments and notes
Pictures of the NBS
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/nottinghambloom_chapel-bar-traffic-island_ref_4.jpg
Please specify other source of non-financial contribution
provision of land is unknown