1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
‘The project aims to reduce the community’s vulnerability to heatwaves and increase the city’s canopy index’ (Ref. 7), through the replacement of impermeable surfaces such as asphalt with vegetation. This process would also allow water to infiltrate the soil on a large surface area (3000 square meters) on an area located near or inside urban heat island zones of the city (Ref. 1,2,3,7).
Additionally, the project aimed to document the effectiveness of greening on the reduction of ambient outdoor temperature and on urban heat islands, to assess the impacts of the project in terms of adaptation to climate change (Ref. 1,7).
This particular project also aimed at targeting populational areas particularly vulnerable or exposed to heatwaves (Ref. 13), in order to effectively protect vulnerable communities (Ref. 1).
This project is also in line with an effort to "Promote the resilience of natural environments in the face of climate change; protect biodiversity; favor the quality of life of the Laval population" as part of the Laval 2035 strategic vision: Urban by nature ." (Ref 12.)
Additionally, the project aimed to document the effectiveness of greening on the reduction of ambient outdoor temperature and on urban heat islands, to assess the impacts of the project in terms of adaptation to climate change (Ref. 1,7).
This particular project also aimed at targeting populational areas particularly vulnerable or exposed to heatwaves (Ref. 13), in order to effectively protect vulnerable communities (Ref. 1).
This project is also in line with an effort to "Promote the resilience of natural environments in the face of climate change; protect biodiversity; favor the quality of life of the Laval population" as part of the Laval 2035 strategic vision: Urban by nature ." (Ref 12.)
Quantitative targets
Planting of 7200 plants, including 1500 trees (Ref. 1,2,3,4,5).
Demineralization (replacing impermeable surfaces such as asphalt with vegetation, allowing water to infiltrate the soil) (Ref. 7) of 3000 square meters (Ref. 1,2,3,4).
Demineralization (replacing impermeable surfaces such as asphalt with vegetation, allowing water to infiltrate the soil) (Ref. 7) of 3000 square meters (Ref. 1,2,3,4).
Monitoring indicators defined
Temperature (Ref. 1);
Number of Plants/ Trees (Ref. 1,2,3).
Number of Plants/ Trees (Ref. 1,2,3).
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Implementation activities
‘At the start of the project, [the City] approached large organizations in the health and education networks (CISSS de Laval, Laval School Services Center and Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board). Each of them gave [the City] a list of potential establishments. [The City] analyzed each site according to two criteria, namely the presence of urban heat islands and the population's vulnerability index to heat waves’ (Ref. 13). The Université du Québec à Montréal, the public health directorate of Laval and OURANOS lent their expertise to targeting priority sites in order to effectively protect vulnerable populations (Ref. 1).
Owners of private and institutional land were allowed to benefit from a cost reduction of up to 60% (Ref. 7,12).
After the sites were selected, the City conducted a field visit with stakeholders to assess the demineralization and greening potentials. For each project, development plans were created and took into account the constraints, needs, and future intentions of the sites. ‘For example, for the development of schoolyards, [the City] questioned the management, as well as the environmental committees in place, to know the current and projected use of the yard. In schools, each demineralization project was different to meet different needs (natural air conditioning at the edge of a building, creation of shaded areas in the middle of the courtyard, planting of trees with a view to create a green classroom , etc.)’ (Ref. 13).
In 2020, 3000 square meters of asphalt were removed, and 6400 trees were planted at over 30 locations, including 15 schoolyards, 7 health centres, 5 private or institutional establishments, and 10 municipal sites (Ref. 6,7,8). Air temperature sensors were installed and 140,000 air temperature measurements were taken on sites vulnerable to heat islands as part of a study conducted by UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal) (Ref. 8)
During the projects, a large variety of tree species were planted and Soverdi remains involved in the project until 2022 to ensure the monitoring and maintenance of the plants. (Ref. 11).
Owners of private and institutional land were allowed to benefit from a cost reduction of up to 60% (Ref. 7,12).
After the sites were selected, the City conducted a field visit with stakeholders to assess the demineralization and greening potentials. For each project, development plans were created and took into account the constraints, needs, and future intentions of the sites. ‘For example, for the development of schoolyards, [the City] questioned the management, as well as the environmental committees in place, to know the current and projected use of the yard. In schools, each demineralization project was different to meet different needs (natural air conditioning at the edge of a building, creation of shaded areas in the middle of the courtyard, planting of trees with a view to create a green classroom , etc.)’ (Ref. 13).
In 2020, 3000 square meters of asphalt were removed, and 6400 trees were planted at over 30 locations, including 15 schoolyards, 7 health centres, 5 private or institutional establishments, and 10 municipal sites (Ref. 6,7,8). Air temperature sensors were installed and 140,000 air temperature measurements were taken on sites vulnerable to heat islands as part of a study conducted by UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal) (Ref. 8)
During the projects, a large variety of tree species were planted and Soverdi remains involved in the project until 2022 to ensure the monitoring and maintenance of the plants. (Ref. 11).
Type of NBS project
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
