1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Reading
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Redevelopment of the Harris Garden
Short description of the intervention
The Harris Garden is situated on the Whiteknights campus of the University of Reading. The garden provides an important amenity for all, giving pleasure to an increasing number of visitors, staff and students. It provides facilities for teaching, conservation and recreation. In 2010, with the closure of Plant Sciences, responsibility for the main part of the garden passed to the Facilities Management Directorate of the University and a major revitalisation programme began; with the "new purpose of conservation and recreation for all". (Ref. 1 , 2)
Address

Harris Garden
Reading
RG6 6UR
United Kingdom

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
POINT (-0.942422 51.435675)
POINT (-0.941109 51.436578)
POINT (-0.94141 51.437427)
POINT (-0.939983 51.436277)
POINT (-0.936163 51.437253)
POINT (-0.939575 51.434458)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
Google maps. Available at: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Harris+Garden/@51.4366889,-0.9404395,790m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x487684adc7ca4ec5:0xb6d1da12dd18a340!8m2!3d51.4358021!4d-0.9402833. Accessed on 14th October, 2020.
Total area
49000.00m²
NBS area
49000.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Public Greenspace Area
Website of the intervention
https://www.reading.ac.uk/biologicalsciences/museums/biosci-harrisgarden.aspx
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2010
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2010
End date of the intervention
2011
Present stage of the intervention
Completed
Please specify "other" stage of the intervention
A botanic garden was established by the University in 1972. In 1988 work began on redeveloping the Botanic Garden. The garden became part of the School of Biological Sciences in 2005. (Ref. 3)
The botanic garden was “re-launched” in May, 2011. (Ref. 2)
Goals of the intervention
The botanic garden is a teaching and research resource for the University of Reading. The overall objective of the redevelopment of the botanic garden is the new purpose of conservation as well as recreation for all [i.e. recreation and conservation is the project's primary function], e.g. inviting residents to explore the garden at leisure or take guided tours. (Ref. 2) The goal is also to modernize and reduce the level of maintenance required in the central area of the garden so allowing time and effort to be focused on the specialized areas. Also, to clean the pond within the garden and remove all the debris. (Ref. 4)
Quantitative targets
Covers an area of approximately five hectares. (Ref. 2)
Monitoring indicators defined
Unknown
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Water management (SDG 6)
Improvements to water quality
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Green space creation and/or management
Environmental quality
Waste management
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Species-focused
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
Restore native species
Restore valued species
Implementation activities
The stream and main pond have been the focus of attention for maintenance work where the main pump that circulates the water from the bottom pond to feed the stream was cleared of silt and leaf debris. The ponds have been refilled and the pump is keeping the stream flowing from 8 till 6 each day on a timer switch. Further planting was planned during the spring (along the stream). Replanting took place at the entrance area of the garden and in the green border (e.g. trees planted to the right of the garden entrance include 2 Eucryphia nymansensis, 1 Acer, 1 Hoheria and 3 Corelopsis low spreading shrubs). The green border was planted with a selection of bamboos along the back with banana plants ( Musa basjoo), Fatsia japonica and hydrangeas etc. (Ref. 4)
Type of NBS project
Maintenance and management of urban nature
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Parks and urban forests
Botanical gardens
Blue infrastructure
Lakes/ponds
Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Vegetation Type
Grass
Shrubs
Trees
Flower beds
Please specify how many trees were planted
Unknown
Amenities offered by the NBS
Benches and drinking water stations
Playgrounds
Cultural (museum, concert areas)
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Water (surface and ground water for drinking and non-drinking purposes)
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Recreation
Mental and physical health and wellbeing
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Non-government organisation/Civil Society
Researchers/University
Citizens or community groups
Governance
Governance arrangements
Led by non-government actors
Non-government actors
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches
Researchers, university
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The garden is now run by the Grounds Department of the University and remains a key teaching and research resource for Biological Sciences. (Ref. 3) The Grounds Department of the University of Reading has been working with the Friends of the Harris Garden to implement these changes and has taken on the day to day maintenance. (Ref. 4) Also, weekly volunteers provide essential maintenance in the botanic garden working with the University’s Grounds Team. (Ref. 6, 2)
Key actors - initiating organization
Non-government organisation/civil society
Researchers/university
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Public sector institution
Non-government organisation/civil society
Researchers/university
Citizens or community group
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Dissemination of information and education
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
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
Unknown
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
The Friends of the Harris Garden, which were formed in 1987 to support the garden and offer a social events programme. They also offer support through funding and volunteers. (Ref. 6)
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Research into master planning and feasibility study for a botanic garden, with the aim to assess the feasibility of a new native-species botanical collection in Britain and suggest a possible design, through a series of data gathering and analysis. The thesis contains detailed case studies of several major botanic gardens in the UK including University botanic gardens at Reading. The PhD thesis was done in 2005 by Furse-Roberts, J. (Ref. 5)
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Co-finance for NBS
No
Co-financing governance arrangements
No
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
No
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
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)
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO)
Other
Please specify other source of funding
The Friends of the Harris Garden help fund the redevelopment work in partnership with the University of Reading. (Ref. 6)
Type of fund(s) used
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Business models
Green densification model
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation)
Type of innovation
Social
Cultural innovation
Please specify social innovation
Recreational, for all people to use. (Ref. 2)
Novelty level of the innovation
The innovation is copied/derived from previous initiative(s) with substantial adaptation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Builds on previous redevelopment work, e.g. from 1988 and 2005. (Ref. 3)
Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Water management and blue areas
Improved water quality
Green space and habitat
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Reduced biodiversity loss
Increased number of species present
Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
Description of environmental benefits
The redevelopment has resulted in, 1. the pond and the stream was cleared of silt and leaf debris and is functioning perfectly, 2. Replanting in the entrance area of the garden and in the green border, both of these areas have seen heavy clearance of overgrown Prunus lusitanica and other shrubs and trees that were past their best. Trees planted to the right of the garden entrance include 2 Eucryphia nymansensis, 1 Acer, 1 Hoheria and 3 Corelopsis low spreading shrubs. Stewartia psuedocamelia, Hamamelis and Magnolia, banana plants ( Musa basjoo), Fatsia japonica and hydrangeas and Snowdropshave increased the biodiversity value of the place. (Ref. 1)
Economic impacts
More sustainable tourism
Description of economic benefits
1. The redevelopment has attracted more tourists and locals to engage with the garden. 2. This also brought and resulted in organizing some social events at the garden. (Ref. 1; Ref. 3)
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved social cohesion
Improved access to urban green space
Health and wellbeing
Improved mental health
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Improvement in people’s connection to nature
Increased support for education and scientific research
Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Description of social and cultural benefits
1. The redevelopment has encouraged the locals to visit the garden more with its welcoming environment. 2. It also provided a place for social interaction and gathering. 3. Improved the access to the place and engaged the locals to connect more with nature. 4. People also visit the place for relaxation and recreation. 5. The University “re-launched” the botanic garden to the public in 2011 (to explore at leisure/education about the garden's wildlife through a guided tour) (Ref. 2; Ref. 3; Ref. 4)
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
Number of amenities, number of visitors, number of plantation, quality of the water cleaned (Ref. 1; Ref 3)
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Water management (SDG 6)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
Voluntary work opportunities
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Improved access to green and/or blue spaces
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
Unknown as of September, 2020.
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
Conduct a baseline survey before and after NBS implementation
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Interviews
Focus groups
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
Unknown
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
List of references
Ref. 1. Friends of the Harris Garden (n.d.) The Harris Garden. University of Reading. Available at: http://www.friendsoftheharrisgarden.org.uk/garden.html. Accessed on 11th September, 2020.
Ref. 2. University of Reading (2011) Blooming Marvellous - new look university botanical garden now open to all. May, 2011. News & Events. Available at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/news-archive/press-releases/pr366760.html. Accessed on 11th September, 2020.
Ref. 3. University of Reading (n.d.) Harris Garden. School of Biological Sciences. Museums & Gardens. Available at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/biologicalsciences/SchoolofBiologicalSciences2017/Facilities/sbs-facilities-harris-garden.aspx. Accessed on 11th September, 2020.
Ref. 4. Friends of the Harris Garden (2011) January 2011 in the Harris Garden. January, 2011. Blog. Available at: http://www.friendsoftheharrisgarden.org.uk/blog/2011/january-2011-in-the-harris-garden/. Accessed on 11th September, 2020.
Ref. 5. BGCI (n.d.) BCGI's manual on planning, developing and managing of botanic gardens. Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Available at: https://www.bgci.org/resources/bgci-tools-and-resources/bgcis-manual-on-planning-developing-and-managing-botanic-gardens/. Accessed on 11th September, 2020.
Ref. 6. Friends of the Harris Garden (n.d.) About the Friends of the Harris Garden. Available at: http://www.friendsoftheharrisgarden.org.uk/aboutthefriends.html. Accessed on 11th September, 2020.
Comments and notes
Comments
There was a lack of online data regarding evaluation/assessment reports.
Pictures of the NBS
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/harris_garden_botanic_garden_friends_of_harris_garden_ref_1.jpg
Public Images
Redevelopment of the Harris Garden (2009)
Redevelopment of the Harris Garden
Pete Bryant (2009), retrieved 08/10/2018
Redevelopment of the Harris Garden (2011)
Redevelopment of the Harris Garden
Pete Bryant (2011), retrieved 08/10/2018