1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
- Improving flood protection by increasing the water retention capacity of the 8km long river stretch;
- Returning the riverside area into a near-natural state;
- Restoring ecological functions;
- Improving the water quality;
- Improving biodiversity;
- Improving recreational quality (Reference 1, 3).
- Returning the riverside area into a near-natural state;
- Restoring ecological functions;
- Improving the water quality;
- Improving biodiversity;
- Improving recreational quality (Reference 1, 3).
Quantitative targets
- reconstruction of approximately 8 kilometers of the Isar River (Reference 2)
Monitoring indicators defined
- increased biodiversity
- water quality that allows bathing everywhere in the river except places being considered as dangerous
- better access of people to the riverside (Reference 2)
- water quality that allows bathing everywhere in the river except places being considered as dangerous
- better access of people to the riverside (Reference 2)
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?
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Implementation activities
Installations were put in place to improve flood protection. The river bed was broadened and returned to a more natural state by implementing natural river bottom rock ramps or slides with riffles and pools, instead of linear low weirs. (Reference 3) The cross-section of the river was widened from 50m to 90m by the removal of surface embankments, and thus an increased capacity in river runoff was established. (Reference 2) To improve water quality, communities situated on the Isar have completed the process of upgrading their waste-water treatment plants to include UV germicidal irradiation systems. (Reference 5) The technically designed cross-river sills which were in place before, with linear cross-sections that are spaced at 200 meters with drops of maximum one meter cannot be passed by fish in most cases. These have been replaced by flat ramps with stone rock steps in honeycomb design with intermediate pools. “In areas with reduced dyke safety, new dykes were filled in front of the old ones in order to maintain the airside tree population.” (Reference 3)
Type of NBS project
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify system innovation
"The “Isar-Plan” project in Munich is a groundbreaking example showing how synergies can be created and proving the sustainable character of landscaping measures in cities. In doing so, a semi-natural riverside area is recovered, quality of life in a large city and flood protection are improved - an aspect of which city, nature and man may altogether benefit. Essential factors of success were that urban and riverside area development aspects were taken into account and that a related cooperation across different disciplines and institutions was established. In this context, the City of Munich and the Federal State of Bavaria have combined and concentrated the necessary professional, personal and financial resources in a target-oriented way. The city council of Munich and the Munich water authority supported this ambitious project by continuously consulting the urban residents [...] (Reference 1).
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
unknown
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
unknown
