1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Montpellier
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Projets de microfleurissement
Short description of the intervention
"Micro-flowering are participative urban gardening projects that allow the vegetation of streets by small plantations of annuals and perennials, vegetable and ornamental, in the municipal public space. Generally, it is a matter of developing a mineral surface on the municipal surface of the city by planting pockets. These are then maintained by the inhabitants who requested micro-flowering. Micro-flowering is a place of sharing and conviviality that allows the inhabitants to be actors of their neighborhood" (Ref. 1). In 2018, formalized 'greening permits' were launched. In this system, micro-flowering permits are requested by residents and "The municipal agents come to drill the concrete of the sidewalks and the City provides the plants" (Ref. 9 and 11).
Address

Different areas of the city
Example of area: 3 rue du Commerce (Gambetta)
34000 Montpellier
France

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
Other
Please specify “other type of area” before implementation of the NBS
City-wide initiative applicable to public spaces (Ref. 1).
Website of the intervention
http://www.montpellier.fr/evenement/19886/3624-un-nouveau-micro-fleurissement-d…
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2008
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2010
End date of the intervention
ongoing
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Please specify "other" stage of the intervention
Other projects could be requested by citizens association at any time.
Goals of the intervention
-Social interaction by developing contacts between neighbors (Ref. 2)
-A greener city
-Biodiversity preservation "Bees, wild grasses, and even wild tomato plants ... biodiversity reinvests the street.
The initiative encourages local residents to also flourish their balconies, their windows. Plants refresh the street, perfume it and neutralize the dust." (Ref. 2)
"The Deputy Mayor of Montpellier Delegate for Urban Ecology, Christophe Cour emphasizes the "domino effect" of microflora: "People see more, incivilities are reduced, the social bond develops, the city is revegetated ... It is positive for everyone!"(Ref. 2)

Ref. 9:
1. Beautify a doorstep, a street or a neighborhood:
2. Participate in the cooling of the air: ("Participate in the cooling of the air: reduction of heat islands and improvement of air quality in town (by absorption of pollutants")(Ref. 9).
3. Provide refuge and food for wildlife:
4. Rebuild the bond with its neighbors:
Quantitative targets
100 permits issued in 2019 (Ref. 11)
Monitoring indicators defined
Micro-insertions of flowers of different widths created; kilometers of street length (Ref 1)
Number of permit applications (Ref. 9)
Number of permits issued (Ref. 9)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Green space creation and/or management
Environmental quality
Air quality improvement
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social cohesion
Social interaction
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Reduce exposure to climate risks directly
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Increase or improve urban vegetation cover to help reduce outdoor temperature
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
Create new habitats
Means for conservation governance
Raise public awareness
Implementation activities
-creation of micro-insertions of flowers of different widths
-Participatory urban gardening projects
-Vegetation of streets by small plantations of annuals and perennials, vegetable and ornamental, on the municipal public space" (Ref.1)
-Breakthrough of the sidewalk along the wall; Installation of the support (tension wires) for the climbing plant; Donation of a climbing plant chosen by the permit holder from a list of species (Ref. 9).
-"Your request will be the subject of a feasibility study by the city services.in order to analyze the technical conditions for the implementation of your project. Particular attention will be paid to its location with regard to the rules for occupying the public domain (safety and movement of people with reduced mobility), the presence of underground networks, scheduled works (roads or facade) or the heritage character of the streets. You will be kept informed by mail of the action taken on your request (validation of the project or refusal-impossibility of realization due to the technical constraints above)" (Ref. 9).
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
Strategy, plan or policy development
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Balcony greens
Grey infrastructure featuring greens
Alley or street trees and other street vegetation
Community gardens and allotments
Community gardens
Other
Please specify "other allotments and community gardens"
There is a network of different types of gardens (shared, family or own garden) specifically for the city of Montpellier aiming at "mutual aid and development, but also for innovation and training around gardening practices, biodiversity, and urban resilience ..." (Ref. 6)
Please specify the number of plots or allotment gardens
unknown, a 'network' is mentioned (Ref 6)
Vegetation Type
Grass
Flower beds
Other
Amenities offered by the NBS
Unknown
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Regulating services
Local climate regulation (temperature reduction)
Air quality regulation
Pollination
Mediation of smell / noise / visual impacts
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
Scale
Spatial scale
Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Local government/Municipality
Citizens or community groups
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Non-government actors
Citizens or community groups
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
Citizens request permits and are responsible for the upkeep of plants after installation by the city (Ref. 9).
"With microflora projects, the neighborhood associations, supported by the town hall..." (Ref. 2)
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Non-government organisation/civil society
Citizens or community group
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Other
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Local government/municipality
Non-government organisation/civil society
Citizens or community group
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Other
Please specify other land owner
private residences: "encourages local residents to also flourish their balconies, their windows." (Ref. 2)
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)
Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Co-management/Joint management
Citizen oversight (e.g. boards, advisory)
Please specify other landowner
private residences: "encourages local residents to also flourish their balconies, their windows." (Ref. 2)
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
Unknown
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Biodiversity Plan (Ref. 5)
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
Sustainability Report 2016 (Ref. 4):
"Animation around microflora (MIF)
In 2010, the City of Montpellier, in partnership with associations of neighborhoods and inhabitants, set up micro-flowering (small perennial plantations on sidewalks: linear of about twenty centimeters, along the facades for example ). Depending on the demands of the inhabitants and the technical (and legal) feasibility, it is a matter of accompanying these planting processes by choosing sites, choosing plants, organizing the plantation site ..."
City programme "Main verte" ("Green Thumb") (Ref. 6)
City vegetation permitting program (Ref. 9)
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
City specific green space strategy or plan
Biodiversity strategy or plan
Municipal / city level environmental plan or programme
Please specify other vegetation type
Climbing plants from a list of city-approved species (Ref. 9).
Bees, wild grasses, and even wild tomato plants; microflora (Ref 2)
plantations of annuals and perennials, vegetable and ornamental (Ref 1)
vegetation (Ref 1)
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
There is a network of different types of gardens (shared, family or own garden) specifically for the city of Montpellier aiming at "mutual aid and development, but also for innovation and training around gardening practices, biodiversity, and urban resilience ..." (Ref. 6)
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Studies on urban plants (a socio-ecological study) by the institute called "Plante et Cité" (Center for landscape and urban horticulture) (Attached document).
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Co-finance for NBS
Unknown
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?
The overall budget for micro-flowering operations is € 37,000 (Ref. 1, year 2017).
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 overall budget for micro-flowering operations is € 37,000 (Ref. 1, year 2017). Cost likely exceeds this figure as it indicated funds spent as of that date on the micro-flowering program but no further information is available as of August 4, 2020).
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of labour
Other
Please specify other type of non-financial contribution
Donation of a climbing plant chosen by the permit holder from a list of species (Ref. 9).
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Business models
Local stewardship model
Urban offsetting model (biodiversity or water)
Please specify other environmental impact
"Plants refresh the street, perfume it and neutralize the dust." (Ref. 2).
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Citizens / local communities
Type of innovation
Technological
Process innovation
Social
Cultural innovation
Please specify technological innovation
Planting operations (Ref 1)
Please specify social innovation
-Interaction among citizens
-Gardening possibility
-Appreciation of greeneries (Ref 2)
Novelty level of the innovation
The innovation is copied/derived from previous initiative(s) without substantial adaptation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Other micro-flowering had been done in other parts of France and in the world. (Ref. 8)
Replicability/Transferability
The innovation is transferred to new initiative(s) without substantial adaptation
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Other projects around the city have been implemented since the first one in 2010 (Ref. 1 and 2)
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Climate change
Lowered local temperature
Environmental quality
Improved air quality
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
Other
Description of environmental benefits
Climate change
-Lowered local temperature: "Participate in the cooling of the air: reduction of heat islands and improvement of air quality in town (by absorption of pollutants)" (Ref. 9).

Environmental quality
-Improved air quality: "Participate in the cooling of the air: reduction of heat islands and improvement of air quality in town (by absorption of pollutants)" (Ref. 9).

Green space and habitat
-Increased green space area: quantitative, 100 permits issued for the installation of micro-flowering plants in 2019 (Ref. 9).
-Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems (local habitats for local species): "Provide refuge and food for wildlife: Insects, birds, etc ..." (Ref. 9).; As of 2017, "the city counts nearly a dozen operations with 250 micro-insertions of flowers of different widths created, which corresponds to about 3 kilometers of street length" (Ref. 1)

control invasive or toxic species: "The permit holder will take care not to plant any toxic, thorny, stinging or invasive species. The City also advises against plants intended to be consumed because of the levels of pollution in urban areas. We remind you that any use of chemicals is prohibited in public spaces" (Ref. 9).
Economic impacts
Unknown
Please specify other socio-cultural impact
policy development: -Increased green space area: quantitative, 100 permits issued for the installation of micro-flowering plants in 2019 (Ref. 9).
Description of economic benefits
Unknown
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved social cohesion
Improved liveability
Improved access to urban green space
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Improvement in people’s connection to nature
Increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging
Increased appreciation for natural spaces
Education
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Other
Please specify other environmental justice issue
reappropriation of the street by inhabitants: "Mayor Philippe Saurel adds: "it's really very beautiful, it humanizes. Around the work of the earth, even if they are minimal, at the bottom of the door, there are friendships that are created, exchanges of experience that are made. And then it's a reappropriation of the street by the inhabitants, it's fundamental" (Ref. 11).
Description of social and cultural benefits
Social justice and cohesion
-Improved access to urban green space: "The initiative encourages local residents to also flourish their balconies, their windows. Plants refresh the street, perfume it and neutralize the dust." (Ref. 2). As of 2017, "the city counts nearly a dozen operations with 250 micro-insertions of flowers of different widths created, which corresponds to about 3 kilometers of street length" (Ref. 1)
-Increased opportunities for social interaction: "Rebuild the bond with its neighbors:
because gardening in the public space launches a dynamic in the neighborhood! The initiative encourages the exchange and sharing of experiences. Social ties right on the sidewalk!" (Ref. 9).
-Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces: "The permit holder is responsible for the maintenance (watering, pruning, weeding ...) of his tank, its micro-flowering or its planting at the foot of the tree.
The permit holder will take care not to plant any toxic, thorny, stinging or invasive species. The City also advises against plants intended to be consumed because of the levels of pollution in urban areas. We remind you that any use of chemicals is prohibited in public spaces" (Ref. 9).

Cultural heritage and sense of place
-Improvement in people’s connection to nature/appreciation for natural spaces: "Mayor Philippe Saurel adds: "it's really very beautiful, it humanizes. Around the work of the earth, even if they are minimal, at the bottom of the door, there are friendships that are created, exchanges of experience that are made. And then it's a reappropriation of the street by the inhabitants, it's fundamental" (Ref. 11).

Education
-Increased knowledge of locals about local nature: -Participatory urban gardening projects, "The initiative encourages local residents to also flourish their balconies, their windows. Plants refresh the street, perfume it and neutralize the dust." (Ref. 2)
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
-"Today the city counts nearly a dozen operations with 250 micro-insertions of flowers of different widths created, which corresponds to about 3 kilometers of street length" (Ref. 1)
-Biodiversity preservation: "Bees, wild grasses, and even wild tomato plants ... biodiversity reinvests the street."
-Social interaction by developing contacts between neighbors (Ref. 2)
-Participatory urban gardening projects created
-The initiative encourages local residents to also flourish their balconies, their windows. Plants refresh the street, perfume it and neutralize the dust." (Ref. 2)
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Environmental quality
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
No information available
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Improved access to green and/or blue spaces
Other
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
Please specify the negative impacts
There is
COVID-19 pandemic
No specific information available as of August 4, 2020. Public spaces may have provided less benefits due to stay at home orders active in all of France from March 16, 2020 to May 11, 2020 (https://www.gouvernement.fr/en/coronavirus-covid-19).
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
No evidence in public records
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Unknown
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Unknown
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
Unknown
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
Focus Group
Please specify other modes of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
"This project, which contributes to the development of nature in the city, has given place to a consultation with local residents." (Ref. 1)
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
Ref. 10
Ref. 11
List of references
1. Montpellier.fr (2017). "Un nouveau micro-fleurissement dans le quartier centre, rue roucher". Actualités. Available at: http://www.montpellier.fr/evenement/19886/3624-un-nouveau-micro-fleurissement-dans-le-quartier-centre-rue-roucher.htm (Accessed: August 4, 2020).
2. Gazette (2016). '"Nature en ville : aux fleurs, citoyens !". Available at: http://www.lagazettedenimes.fr/dossiers-gazette/article-39082/nature-en-ville-aux-fleurs-citoyens (Website not available in 2020).
3. Montpellier.fr (n.d). "Espaces verts, les coins de nature". http://www.montpellier.fr/1125-les-espaces-verts-montpellier-ville-verte-.htm (Accessed: August 4, 2020).
4. Saurel, Philippe (2016). Ville de Montpellier, Développement Durable - Rapport 2016. Available at: file:///Users/apple/Downloads/rapport-developpement-durable-2016.pdf (Accessed: August 4, 2020).
5. Montpellier.fr (n.d). Biodiversité. Available at: http://www.montpellier.fr/3313-biodiversite.htm#par78331 (Accessed: August 4, 2020).
6. Montpellier (n.d). "Montpellier main verte !". Available at: https://www.montpellier.fr/1794-montpellier-main-verte-.htm (Accessed: August 4, 2020).
7. Les Semeurs de Jardins. (n.d) Accueil. Available at: https://semeursdejardins34.wordpress.com/ (Accessed: August 4, 2020).
8. Ansart, Cédric & Emmanuel Boutefeu (2013). "Sous le pavé, les fleurs". MétroPolitique. Available at: http://www.metropolitiques.eu/Sous-le-pave-les-fleurs.html (Accessed: August 4, 2020).
9. Montpellier.fr (n.d). "Permis de végétaliser". Available at: https://www.montpellier.fr/4396-permis-de-vegetaliser.htm (Accessed: August 4, 2020).
10. Taste of France (2019). "Urban Jungle". Available at: https://francetaste.wordpress.com/2019/10/18/urban-jungle/ (Accessed: August 4, 2020).
11. Hamdaoui, Salah (2018). "Le "flower power" se développe à Montpellier". France Bleu. Available at: https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/insolite/le-flower-power-se-developpe-a-montpellier-1538578763 (Accessed: August 4, 2020).
Attachments
Attachment Size
Summary of "Wild plants in urban, a natural disorder?" - Synthesis of the socio-ecological study (3.22 MB) 3.22 MB
Comments and notes
Comments
2017 comment:
Section 4/ POLICY DRIVERS: There is no plan of the city available online, however, in the city's website, there is a "Biodiversity" section where it is mentioned: "The whole of the municipal heritage is oriented and conceived according to the concept of ecological management of the green areas, forming part of a global policy of sustainable development of the city." (Ref. 3 and Ref. 5)
Public Images
micro flowering projects around the city
micro flowering projects around the city
http://www.capitale-biodiversite.fr/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/experience/photos/49-montpellier-mif_quartiermediterranee_2017.jpg?itok=XFbnJAoH
micro flowering projects around the city
micro flowering projects around the city
https://www.montpellier.fr/uploads/Image/8c/IMF_FICHEEVT/GAB_MPL/22884_252_MicrofleurissementV2.jpg
micro flowering projects around the city
micro flowering projects around the city
https://www.montpellierimmo9.com/medias/5e46555a4cd1b-1200.jpg