1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
The project was undertaken to mitigate issues related to flooding and the occurrence of landslides and also to control pollution (Ref. 3). Specifically, implementation of the project pertains to the following objective: "the energy of the waters -which flow from the galleries of the conventional rainwater drainage system- lose speed, volume and strength, avoiding damage along the way, possible floods and landslides on the banks of the stream, as well as erosion of the soil and the silting up of Lago Cabrinha. With the planting of adequate and native vegetation, it is expected to have water purification agents, which may be contaminated or polluted by the deposit of organic and inorganic substances" (Ref. 4). With this, the Londrina City Hall "seeks to reduce the effects of environmental degradation in the stream and optimize the capacity of the drainage system" (Ref. 4).
The project falls under the wider ICLEI INTERACT-Bio project, which has the broader goals of "aim[ing] to support local governments in several countries for the correct use of nature for the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems and environmental and economic sustainability" (Ref. 3). Whilst work had already been undertaken by the Londrina Municipality which sought to revitalise Lake Cabrinha, for example, desilting of the lake, the source of the river had yet to be included; hence it was this area that the project specifically focused on (Refs. 3 & 4).
The project falls under the wider ICLEI INTERACT-Bio project, which has the broader goals of "aim[ing] to support local governments in several countries for the correct use of nature for the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems and environmental and economic sustainability" (Ref. 3). Whilst work had already been undertaken by the Londrina Municipality which sought to revitalise Lake Cabrinha, for example, desilting of the lake, the source of the river had yet to be included; hence it was this area that the project specifically focused on (Refs. 3 & 4).
Quantitative targets
Whilst unclear whether specific quantitative or qualitative targets were set at the outset of the project, implementation of the project was undertaken in such a way that it "consist[ed] of a set of actions that aim...to protect and bring out the spring waters, reduce the impact of heavy rains on the site, improve water and soil quality, conserve biodiversity and promote quality of life of the population" (Ref. 6).
Ref. 8 laid out the following objectives/targets at the outset of the project:
"- Mitigate the causes of environmental degradation in the Cabrinha stream;
- Design and execute an intervention from Nature-Based Solutions to serve as a reference for other projects in the municipality and in the region metropolitan area of Londrina;
- Activate good and new practices, bringing sustainable solutions closer to the planning and management of cities...
- Reduce landslides along the stream banks, as well as the silting of both existing lakes on site; [and]
- Optimize the capacity of the drainage system with the implementation of [NBS] to mitigate results from the volume and velocity of rainwater" (Ref. 8).
Ref. 8 laid out the following objectives/targets at the outset of the project:
"- Mitigate the causes of environmental degradation in the Cabrinha stream;
- Design and execute an intervention from Nature-Based Solutions to serve as a reference for other projects in the municipality and in the region metropolitan area of Londrina;
- Activate good and new practices, bringing sustainable solutions closer to the planning and management of cities...
- Reduce landslides along the stream banks, as well as the silting of both existing lakes on site; [and]
- Optimize the capacity of the drainage system with the implementation of [NBS] to mitigate results from the volume and velocity of rainwater" (Ref. 8).
Monitoring indicators defined
Although laid out by Ref. 8 that the project would make it "possible to monitor its performance, make adjustments to the structure over time if necessary, and still serve as a reference for the treatment from other areas with similar environmental characteristics and problems", it is unclear whether specific monitoring indicators were defined at the outset of the project.
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
Rock structures were installed/rearranged at the source of Lake Cabrinha in order to "reduce the energy of the water that is drained by conventional rainwater galleries" (Ref. 1), and specific plant species were introduced which facilitate phytoremediation and mitigate diffuse pollution (Ref. 1).
The rearrangement of rachão stones which exist in the lake was performed in a way that saw the formation of small staggered pools, the first being deeper than the following (Ref. 2). A dam was constructed, comprised of large semi-grounded stones and logs for the base; the soil was filled with embedded smaller stones embedded, and a slope/containment barrier was also created for "the later planting of vegetation" (Ref. 2). The containment barrier had a geotextile blanket (of vegetable fibres) installed to serve as the base of the slope into which plants could be introduced (Ref. 2). Riparian and rhizomatous plants were chosen due to their being "resistant to water", and their ability to perform phytoremediation of both organic and inorganic pollutants (Ref. 2). On the bank of the lake, "the stones will continue to play their role of containment", with the intention that erosion/landslides will be prevented, and that the shape of the lake "can be preserved and that it does not return to the shape it had in past years" (Ref. 2).
The rearrangement of rachão stones which exist in the lake was performed in a way that saw the formation of small staggered pools, the first being deeper than the following (Ref. 2). A dam was constructed, comprised of large semi-grounded stones and logs for the base; the soil was filled with embedded smaller stones embedded, and a slope/containment barrier was also created for "the later planting of vegetation" (Ref. 2). The containment barrier had a geotextile blanket (of vegetable fibres) installed to serve as the base of the slope into which plants could be introduced (Ref. 2). Riparian and rhizomatous plants were chosen due to their being "resistant to water", and their ability to perform phytoremediation of both organic and inorganic pollutants (Ref. 2). On the bank of the lake, "the stones will continue to play their role of containment", with the intention that erosion/landslides will be prevented, and that the shape of the lake "can be preserved and that it does not return to the shape it had in past years" (Ref. 2).
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
The project has revolved around the rearrangement of basaltic rock and the planting of appropriate, native vegetation, hence can be considered an infrastructural innovation.
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
