1. General information Location and description of the intervention City or FUA Iaşi (FUA) Region Europe Native title of the NBS intervention Parcul Horpaz-Ezăreni Short description of the intervention The Horpaz-Ezareni Park is an initiative driven by civil society, requesting the municipality of Miroslava to construct a natural park adjacent to Lake Ezareni. The aim is to protect its green spaces and aquatic bird species while addressing waste management in the area. The petition also called for more green spaces in line with European standards and sought to tackle the challenges of rapid urbanization in peri-urban areas. It collected hundreds of signatures and targeted an area of 20 hectares. In response, the municipality agreed to the petition and initially proposed creating a park covering 4 hectares in 2022. This first plan was released to the public for consultation. However, the project has since evolved to encompass the original 20 hectares, plus an additional 2 hectares, with an estimated project cost of 11,000,000 euros and a timeline of 3 years for implementation. The park's design includes various facilities and amenities aimed at enhancing opportunities for recreation, exercise, and relaxation. Accessible paths for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as a parking lot, are also part of the plan. Additionally, two buildings are proposed for sanitary and administrative purposes, which would manage the projected installations of a lighting system, Wi-Fi, and surveillance cameras. Environmentally, the project includes plans for managing the lake's banks to remove hydrophilic vegetation that could create an unhealthy environment, along with the construction of two bridges. The wilderness areas will be managed, and dendrological plants will be introduced to improve the ecosystem's quality. Overall, the project aims to increase and regenerate green spaces in the commune, enhancing the quality of life for residents and improving the area's aesthetic appeal. (1-8) Website of the intervention https://apix.ro/peste-10-milioane-euro-vor-fi-investiti-pentru-amenajarea-unui-… Principal problems Environmental Degradation Biodiversity loss Deforestation and forest degradation Land use and Socio-economic change Rapid urbanization Unequal availability and access to public green spaces Health, Well-being and Social cohesion Mental health issues (stress, anxiety) Inadequate access to recreational opportunities Implementation area characterization Climate Continental (Cold-summer humid continental, Cold-winter dry continental, Cold-summer dry continental) Ecosystem Temperate grasslands Other Please specify other ecosystem Lake banks. Address Str. Iazului 63 707313 Horpaz Romania 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 Google maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ez%C4%83reni/@47.114584,27.5351313,3134m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x40cafa63c50a506d:0x9059248f0250c661!8m2!3d47.1172093!4d27.5400287!16s%2Fg%2F1218r_7w?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D Total area 225695.00m² NBS area 188898.00m² Area description Periurban (both urban and rural environments are present) Type of area before implementation of the NBS Freshwater setting (e.g. river, channel, lake, pond) Public Greenspace Area Vacant or abandoned land Timeline of intervention Start date of the intervention (planning process) 2021 Start date of intervention (implementation process) in planning stage End date of the intervention ongoing Present stage of the intervention In planning stage 2. Objectives of the intervention Objectives of the intervention Goals of the intervention To address the demands of civil society regarding the necessary increase in green space per inhabitant and natural protection through public consultations. To protect aquatic bird species that may inhabit or migrate through the specified area by establishing the park as a green corridor. To manage and reduce waste being discarded in the area. To fulfill the relaxation, cultural, and educational needs of citizens. To manage the water along the banks of the lake and enhance its quality. To improve the overall quality of life for the citizens of the commune and reduce the urbanization process that impacts their access to green spaces. To enhance the aesthetic image of the commune. To increase the quality of the natural ecosystem in the implementation area by addressing habitat degradation and enhancing habitat protection for local species (including invasive species removal) To regenerate unused and abandoned land. (1-8) Key Priorities Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration) Social Justice and community Sustainability challenge(s) addressed Environmental quality Waste management Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15) Green space creation and/or management Habitat and biodiversity conservation Regeneration, land-use and urban development Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development Water management (SDG 6) Improvements to water quality Cultural heritage and cultural diversity Preservation of natural heritage Health and well-being (SDG 3) Creation of opportunities for recreation Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16) Inclusive governance Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10) Social justice and equity Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention? Species-focused Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets? Protect and enhance urban habitats Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems Preserve and strengthen habitat connectivity Protect species Undertake specific measures to protect species Control and clean invasive alien species Means for conservation governance Raise public awareness Public engagement Implementation activities and NBS focus Implementation activities 1. Designing a natural park and starting the implementation processes in the green area of concern to address the necessities and demands of civil society (4 -8). 2. Planning to introduce dendrological species and to manage the existing wilderness of the area to improve the quality of the natural ecosystem, and remove hydrophilic vegetation that could create an unhealthy environment (4- 8). 3. Design the park to include infrastructure for better accessibility (walking paths, bike trails, a parking lot), playgrounds, a multifunctional area for exercising purposes, stands, benches, and artificial fountains (4 - 6 & 8). 4. Unclogging the shore of the lake to improve its water quality and constructing to bridges on it (6 & 8). 5. Include a rainwater drainage system to enhance the infrastructure of the park (6). 6. Construct two buildings, for sanitary and administrative purposes respectively, to manage the park, its infrastucture and facilities (6 & 8). 7. Publicly disclose the first design of the park for public consultation (4). Type of NBS project Creation of new green areas Creation of green corridors (including connectivity between urban and rural ecosystems) Creation of large parks and urban and peri-urban forests Ecological restoration of ecosystems Restoration and protection of ecosystems (including water ecosystems) Protection of natural ecosystems Habitat conservation Transformation of previously derelict areas Transformation of vacant land into green spaces Improved governance of green or blue areas Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity Clearing out invasive alien species and allow natural regeneration maintaining the functionality the ecosystem 3. NBS domains, ES and scale NBS domain and interventions Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented Blue infrastructure Riverbank/Lakeside greens Parks and urban forests Large urban parks or forests Green corridors and green belts Amenities offered by the NBS Benches and drinking water stations Playgrounds Sports areas and equipment Complementing infrastructure (bathrooms, café) Viewing and outlook points Design elements for well-being Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation) Auditory elements (e.g., birdsong, water features, quiet areas, rustling leaves) Services Expected ecosystem services delivered Regulating services Water purification / filtration Habitat and supporting services Habitats for species Cultural services Recreation Scale Spatial scale Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level Beneficiaries Demographics in implementation area The district of Horpaz has 4024 inhabitants (10). The entire commune of Miroslava has 28,534 inhabitants, with the agre group comprised of more people being those between 30-39 years of age (22.49%) (11). The age range between 0 and 49 years represents 77.10% (vs. 60%, average across the country) and the 0-9 age group is at a higher level than the national average (16.72% vs 10.4% national) (11). 83,88% are of romanian origin, while for almost all the rest (15%) the information is not available (11). The population of Horpaz has barely any acess to green spaces other than those unmanaged near the lake (12). Socio-economic profile of the area Unknown Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts Unknown Non-government actors Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches Primary Beneficiaries Citizens or community groups Specify primary beneficiaries Citizens or community groups: "(...) increased accessibility and the creation of the best conditions for covering the need for relaxation, culture and education of all categories of the population without discrimination" (5). Marginalized groups Unknown Other beneficiaries Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators) Natural habitats (e.g. wetland, forests, coastal areas) 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 Led by non-government actors Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative The civil society group "Horpaz Asociația Civică" started a petition and send a request to the municipality of the commune of Miroslava to protect the green area next to the lake by creating a park (1 -4). An external company prepared a feasibiliy study to implement the park for the municipality (6 - 8). The municipality disclosed the project for public consultation, approved the project and is looking for funding to implement it (4 - 8). Diverse citizens signed the petition and had to possibility to participate in the consultation (1 - 4). Key actors - initiating organization Non-government organisation/civil society Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors) Local government/municipality Citizens or community group Private sector/corporate actor/company Stages of citizen and community engagement Planning and design (e.g. site selection, identification of key priorities) Level of citizen and community engagement Limited Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives Creation of collaborative decision-making processes that actively involve community members Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders) Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping) Deliberative decision-making processes (e.g., consensus building, deliberative polling) Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls) Uncommon actors ("Missing actors") Unknown Land owners Public space owned by the city Policy drivers NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy Yes Please specify the "Regional Directive/Strategy" European standard of surface of green space per capita (1 - 3). 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" Strategia de dezvoltare locală 2021-2027 Miroslava (Strategy of Local Development of Miroslava) (8). Relevant strategy or plan General municipal plan Urban redevelopment plan Mandatory or voluntary intervention Voluntary (spontaneous) Enablers & Barriers Type of enablers NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation Governance innovations (such as public private partnerships) Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives. The civil society group "Horpaz Asociația Civică" started a petition and send a request to the municipality of the commune of Miroslava to protect the green area next to the lake by creating a park (1 - 4) An external company prepared a feasibiliy study to implement the park for the municipality (6 - 8). Governace and decison-making instruments Strategic instruments (e.g. GI strategies, green space strategy or plans) Standards, certifications or guidelines (e.g. standards for accessible green space; biodiversity standards) Public - private business agreement (e.g. public private collaborations, public-private-partnerships (PPP)) Arrangements for governance cooperation Formal coordination mechanisms to oversee project implementation and decision-making (e.g., multi-stakeholder steering committees, working groups) Barriers Limited financial resources and regulations established by National Environmental Agency that obliged the government of the commune to re-do the feasibility study which slowed down the planning of the park (9). Financing Total cost More than €4,000,000 Please specify total cost (EUR) 11171069,09 (8). What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements? Unknown. Source(s) of funding Public local authority budget Type of fund(s) used Earmarked public budget Non-financial contribution Yes Who provided the non-financial contribution? Citizens (e.g. volunteering) Type of non-financial contribution Provision of expertise Co-finance for NBS No Entrepreneurship opportunities Unknown Business models Business models Green densification model Local stewardship model Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model? Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation) 5. Evaluation and learning Impacts, benefits Environmental impacts Water management and blue areas Improved water quality Expected improved water quality Green space and habitat Increase in protected green space areas Expected increase in protected green space areas Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems Expected increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems Increased ecological connectivity across regeneration sites and scales Expected increased ecological connectivity across regeneration sites and scales Reduced biodiversity loss Expected reduced biodiversity loss Increased number of species present Expected increased number of species present Description of environmental benefits -Expected improved water quality: "On the confluence area of the site where the investment will be made with Lake Ezăreni, sanitation, unclogging, clearing and reprofiling of the banks affected by hydrophilic vegetation will be carried out and marshy areas with an unhealthy appearance will be removed" (6). -Expected increase in protected green space areas: "The signatories request the City Council (CL) to issue a decision for the establishment of a park in the mentioned area, which would represent "the most important step for this area to remain green" (1). -Expected increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems: "Qualitative enrichment of environmental factors through new surfaces of areas planted with material dendrological quality" (6). -Expected increased ecological connectivity across regeneration sites and scales: "Moreover, Lake Ezăreni and its shore from Horpaz, is a place where many species of waterfowl live. Its proximity to another wetland, namely the Ciurbești-Bârca Natura 2000 Site, gives it this advantage for the birds that "commute" here or even nest here" (2). -Expected reduced biodiversity loss: ""Moreover, Lake Ezăreni and its shore from Horpaz, is a place where many species of waterfowl live. Its proximity to another wetland, namely the Ciurbești-Bârca Natura 2000 Site, gives it this advantage for the birds that "commute" here or even nest here" (2). -Expected increased number of species present: ""Qualitative enrichment of environmental factors through new surfaces of areas planted with material dendrological quality" (6). Environmental impact indicators Total area of protected or secured natural areas (in ha) 18,8898 Economic impacts Unknown Description of economic benefits Unknown. Social and cultural impacts Social justice and cohesion Improved liveability Expected improved liveability Improved access to urban green space Expected improved access to urban green space Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces Health and wellbeing Gain in activities for recreation and exercise Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise Cultural heritage and sense of place Protection of natural heritage Expected protection of natural heritage Increased appreciation for natural spaces Achieved increased appreciation for natural spaces Description of social and cultural benefits -Expected improved liveability: "(...) ensure the increase of the quality of life and the attractiveness of the locality both for the local population and and for the residents of Iași" (6). -Expected improved access to urban green space: "Setting up a network of pedestrian walkways and cycle paths to cover the entire area" (6). -Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces: "Hundreds of people have signed an online petition through which they request the Miroslava City Hall to declare the image area related to the village of Horpaz and the water gloss from Ezăreni a park" (1). -Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "Setting up a multifunctional area for practicing group sports: football, tennis, volleyball, basket-ball" (6). -Expected improved mental health: ""The need for green areas is increasingly acute recently. It builds massively and chaotically. Public green spaces are missing in the new peri-urban agglomerations. European Union norms provide for a minimum of 26 square meters per inhabitant of public green spaces" (1). -Expected protection of natural heritage: "The Horpaz-Ezăreni Park represents the desire of the community of the village of Horpaz for the free area of the image, namely 19.6 hectares and the Ezăreni lake, on its entire surface. We want it to remain a green area" (1). -Achieved increased appreciation for natural spaces: "They, along with six other citizens concerned about the fate of the image, take their free time to find allies in the community and attract the interest of neighbors from 3 other villages as much as possible. Among their day-to-day responsibilities, they find time to meet with others interested in their cause" (3). Evidence for use of assessment Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process Yes Actors involved in the assessment, monitoring or evaluation of NBS impacts Private sector/corporate actor/company Presence of indicators used in reporting Yes Type of indicators Input indicators Outcome indicators 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 Cost-benefit analysis No Transparency Inclusion of diverse stakeholders in project governance processes (e.g. planning, implementation, monitoring, etc.) Public disclosure of project funding sources and/or budgets Online disclosure of technical reports (e.g. project documents, reports, or data) Justice Community satisfaction Unknown Description of locals satisfaction with the project Unknown. Trade-offs & Negative impacts 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) No Goal setting and impacts delivery No, project goals were not set, and benefits were not delivered in all 3 key areas. Reaching original project goals Inconclusive as the project is still undergoing implementation, or is still on its planning stages Please specify the achievements of the project goals The project is in its planning stages and there is no mechanism to asses if indeed the original goals have been reached. Nevertheless below are the expected benefits if the original goals are maintained. Biodiversity goals: -Expected improved water quality: "On the confluence area of the site where the investment will be made with Lake Ezăreni, sanitation, unclogging, clearing and reprofiling of the banks affected by hydrophilic vegetation will be carried out and marshy areas with an unhealthy appearance will be removed" (6). -Expected increase in protected green space areas: "The signatories request the City Council (CL) to issue a decision for the establishment of a park in the mentioned area, which would represent "the most important step for this area to remain green" (1). -Expected increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems: "Qualitative enrichment of environmental factors through new surfaces of areas planted with material dendrological quality" (6). -Expected increased ecological connectivity across regeneration sites and scales: "Moreover, Lake Ezăreni and its shore from Horpaz, is a place where many species of waterfowl live. Its proximity to another wetland, namely the Ciurbești-Bârca Natura 2000 Site, gives it this advantage for the birds that "commute" here or even nest here" (2). -Expected reduced biodiversity loss: ""Moreover, Lake Ezăreni and its shore from Horpaz, is a place where many species of waterfowl live. Its proximity to another wetland, namely the Ciurbești-Bârca Natura 2000 Site, gives it this advantage for the birds that "commute" here or even nest here" (2). -Expected increased number of species present: ""Qualitative enrichment of environmental factors through new surfaces of areas planted with material dendrological quality" (6). Social justice and community goals: -Expected improved liveability: "(...) ensure the increase of the quality of life and the attractiveness of the locality both for the local population and and for the residents of Iași" (6). -Expected improved access to urban green space: "Setting up a network of pedestrian walkways and cycle paths to cover the entire area" (6). -Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces: "Hundreds of people have signed an online petition through which they request the Miroslava City Hall to declare the image area related to the village of Horpaz and the water gloss from Ezăreni a park" (1). -Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "Setting up a multifunctional area for practicing group sports: football, tennis, volleyball, basket-ball" (6). -Expected improved mental health: ""The need for green areas is increasingly acute recently. It builds massively and chaotically. Public green spaces are missing in the new peri-urban agglomerations. European Union norms provide for a minimum of 26 square meters per inhabitant of public green spaces" (1). -Expected protection of natural heritage: "The Horpaz-Ezăreni Park represents the desire of the community of the village of Horpaz for the free area of the image, namely 19.6 hectares and the Ezăreni lake, on its entire surface. We want it to remain a green area" (1). -Achieved increased appreciation for natural spaces: "They, along with six other citizens concerned about the fate of the image, take their free time to find allies in the community and attract the interest of neighbors from 3 other villages as much as possible. Among their day-to-day responsibilities, they find time to meet with others interested in their cause" (3). Long-term perspective Unknown: No information about the project's long-term sustainability. Cost-effective solutions No Equitable impacts C. Unknown Transformative capacity Social change (e.g. social relationships, networks and dynamics within them) Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution) Magnitude of change Incremental: shallow; that is, mostly maintaining business-as-usual approaches to adaptation Application of lessons learned Unknown Perception of Environmental Change Yes NBS Supports ecological or environmental anxiety Unknown 6. Sources References 1. Elena Mihat (2021). Demers civic_ Sute de oameni solicită înființarea Parcului Horpaz - Ezăreni ». APIX , Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 2. Horpaz Asociația Civică (n.d.). Parcul Horpaz-Ezareni, petite publice pentru infiintare. PetiteOnline, Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 3. CeRe (2022). Vrem ca autoritățile publice să ne audă, iar Parcul Horpaz-Ezăreni să devină realitate _ CeRe. Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 4. Alex Andrei (2023). VIDEO_FOTO Cum va arăta parcul din Horpaz_ proiectul este lansat în dezbatere publică ». APIX, Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 5. George Matei (2024). Peste 10 milioane euro vor fi investiti pentru amenajarea unui parc de mari dimensiuni la marginea Iasului. APIX , Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 6. S.C. KALANS CONCEPT S.R.L. (2023). Parc-Horpaz_Memoriu-Tehnic-General _. Primaria Comunei Miroslava , Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 7. Primaria Comunei Miroslava (2023 ). Proiectul de hotorare studului de fezabilitate n.5/2023. Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 8. Primaria Comuna Miroslava (2024). Hotorarea pentru aprobarea studiu de fezabulitate si a indicatorilor tehnico-economici Parc de Agrement si Spatiu Verde in Satul Horpaz . Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 9. Nastas Sabina (2023 ). Valoarea actualizată a parcului de agrement din zona lacului Ezăreni din comuna Miroslava este de aproximativ 6 milioane de euro. Moldova Invest , Accessed on September 2, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 10. Populatia Ro (n.d.). Populație Horpaz, Comuna Miroslava, Județul Iași - Populația.ro. Accessed on September 2, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 11. Populatia Ro (n.d.). Populația Comunei Miroslava, Jud. Iași - 2023 _ Populatia.ro. Accessed on September 2, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 12. Harta Blocuri (n.d.). Hartă blocuri Horpaz. Accessed on September 2, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; Comments and notes Comments Evidence for use of assessments I changed to yes for assesment of impacts because there is the feasibility study developed by the consulting company. Public Images Image 3D model of the design of the park https://apix.ro/peste-10-milioane-euro-vor-fi-investiti-pentru-amenajarea-unui-parc-de-mari-dimensiuni-la-marginea-iasului/ Image 3D Model of the desing of the park https://apix.ro/peste-10-milioane-euro-vor-fi-investiti-pentru-amenajarea-unui-parc-de-mari-dimensiuni-la-marginea-iasului/ Image Parc1 https://apix.ro/peste-10-milioane-euro-vor-fi-investiti-pentru-amenajarea-unui-parc-de-mari-dimensiuni-la-marginea-iasului/ Image Parc1 https://apix.ro/peste-10-milioane-euro-vor-fi-investiti-pentru-amenajarea-unui-parc-de-mari-dimensiuni-la-marginea-iasului/
Image 3D model of the design of the park https://apix.ro/peste-10-milioane-euro-vor-fi-investiti-pentru-amenajarea-unui-parc-de-mari-dimensiuni-la-marginea-iasului/
Image 3D Model of the desing of the park https://apix.ro/peste-10-milioane-euro-vor-fi-investiti-pentru-amenajarea-unui-parc-de-mari-dimensiuni-la-marginea-iasului/
Image Parc1 https://apix.ro/peste-10-milioane-euro-vor-fi-investiti-pentru-amenajarea-unui-parc-de-mari-dimensiuni-la-marginea-iasului/
Image Parc1 https://apix.ro/peste-10-milioane-euro-vor-fi-investiti-pentru-amenajarea-unui-parc-de-mari-dimensiuni-la-marginea-iasului/
