1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Strasbourg
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Le Plan Strasbourg Grandeur Nature
Short description of the intervention
The Strasbourg Grandeur Nature Plan is engineered by Strasbourg Metropole and is focused on optimising the actions and resources and resources of local authorities in the maintenance of local biodiversity and improving the living environment (Ref. 7). It combines with local associations and citizens through organising interfaces (e.g. workshops, online tools) that allow relevant local authorities to engage with local projects and make interventions on the basis of proposals made by the community. The project aims at improving the maintenance and development of green spaces and biodiversity due to the environmental issues surrounding urban sprawls (Ref. 4).
Address

Strasbourg
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, applies to existing public green spaces as well as proposed developments (Ref. 2).
Website of the intervention
https://www.strasbourg.eu/plan-grandeur-nature
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2014
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2016
End date of the intervention
2020
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Goals of the intervention
The general aim of the plan is to focus on citizens' involvement in greening the city (Ref. 3). This plan of action for the maintenance and strengthening of nature has a double ambition: 1. Responding to the unavoidable aspects of its urban greenery, such as inventory work, protection of natural heritage, environmental education, sustainable land management and new projects. 2. To highlight the strengths and specificities of Strasbourg: the desire to associate the themes of a "natural city" and "nourishing city", and the broad participation of citizen appropriated from an early age, ally biodiversity and solidarity, and to finally highlight the important place that water and trees occupy in the city (Ref. 2). The goals listed were: - knowledge sharing, - natural/agricultural protection, - providing effective guidance, - maintaining local species, - managing and developing natural areas, - innovate, - provide sustainable land management, (Ref. 3) - planting new vegetation (e.g. trees, shrubs) (Ref. 4).
The plan is a response to the Urban Community of Strasbourg's Green and Blue Frame (TVB) from 2011 that combines preservation biodiversity and regional planning in the city's broad attempt to mitigate the effects of climate change (although mitigation goals are not specified). (Ref. 4, 9)
Quantitative targets
"The city of Strasbourg can rely on a historical heritage of 4,800 family gardens representing 170 ha whose origin dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. In addition, the following have been put in place: 16 shared gardens (and 5 in progress), i.e. 9,500 m²; 2 collective urban vegetable gardens (and 4 PUC in progress), i.e. 1600m²; 18 educational school gardens (and 5 in progress)" (Ref. 1).
Monitoring indicators defined
Number of family gardens representing, area in hectares (Ref. 1)
Number of shared gardens, number in progress, area in m² (Ref. 1)
Number of collective urban vegetable gardens, number in progress, area in m² (Ref. 1)
Number of educational school gardens, number in progress (Ref. 1)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Water management (SDG 6)
Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Green space creation and/or management
Environmental quality
Waste management
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Inclusive governance
Effective management
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Environmental education
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Economic development: agriculture
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Preservation of natural heritage
Protection of historic and cultural landscape/infrastructure
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Sustainable consumption
Sustainable production
Please specify "other Habitats and biodiversity conservation activity"
Inventory of sanctuary urban nature areas and / or protected It is necessary to identify and map the areas of nature in urban sites, little or not accessible to the public, which can constitute refuges for fauna and flora. It also involves a census of wealth floristics and faunistics and a follow-up of its evolution" (Ref. 4).
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Species-focused
Ecosystem-focused
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Protect and enhance urban habitats
Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
Promote environmentally-sound development in and around protected areas
Protect species
Undertake specific measures to protect species
Means for conservation governance
Manage biological resources for conservation and sustainable use
Raise public awareness
Public engagement
Create and use scientific knowledge for conservation
Other
Implementation activities
The work mobilised extensively around the construction plan "Strasbourg Grandeur Nature" which went from spring to autumn 2015. This work firstly mobilised stakeholders and was accompanied by a research department that assisted citywide project owners in their ecological plans revolving around the city's natural green spaces. The second phase was devoted to working on community feedback in workshops and consultations, while the third phase focused on identifying and working with project leaders around the city (Ref. 7). The project is due to run from 2016 to 2020 (Ref. 1). "Naturalist inventories on natural spaces protected As part of the application of management plans in protected areas, monitoring of species and environments is realised. Its objectives are to improve knowledge naturalist and assess management methods. A part of these inventories is entrusted to associations naturalists, through conventions. > Naturalist inventories on natural spaces ordinary It is about developing real knowledge ordinary biodiversity indicators at the local level and to be able to appreciate their evolution over time. AT today, a specialized gardener is mobilized part-time for monitoring the impacts of differentiated management. Inventories are carried out within the framework of projects development. Strengthening the naturalist expertise unit could help ensure this mission. Support from volunteers associations, but also interns or services civics can be considered in the context of the Atlas of Communal biodiversity. > Inventory of sanctuary urban nature areas and / or protected It is necessary to identify and map the areas of nature in urban sites, little or not accessible to the public, which can constitute refuges for fauna and flora. It also involves a census of wealth floristics and faunistics and a follow-up of its evolution" (Ref. 4). Rainwater collection bins and compost have been put in place in gardens (Ref. 7).
Type of NBS project
Strategy, plan or policy development
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Grey infrastructure featuring greens
Alley or street trees and other street vegetation
House gardens
Institutional green space
Community gardens and allotments
Allotments
Community gardens
Please specify the number of plots or allotment gardens
More than 4800 (Ref. 1).
Vegetation Type
Shrubs
Trees
Flower beds
Garden beds
Other
Please specify how many trees were planted
Unknown
Amenities offered by the NBS
Unknown
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Food for human consumption (crops, vegetables)
Raw materials
Water (surface and ground water for drinking and non-drinking purposes)
Regulating services
Pollination
Other
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Maintenance of genetic diversity
Cultural services
Tourism
Aesthetic appreciation
Inspiration for culture, art and design
Recreation
Mental and physical health and wellbeing
Spiritual and / or emblematic (symbolic, sacred and / or religious)
Physical and experiential interactions with plants and animals
Other
Please specify "other regulating service"
desire to associate the themes of a "natural city" and "nourishing city" (Ref 2)
Please specify "other cultural service"
Educational services (environmental education) (Ref. 4)
Scale
Spatial scale
Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level
Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Citizens or community groups
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Non-government actors
Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
Citizens or community groups
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
City of Strasbourg's proximity departments work alongside the Service Espaces Verts and Nature and the ECO-Conseil association to create urban collective gardens (PUC) (Ref. 5). The City has also engaged with various associations on different aspects surrounding the implementation of projecs (such as Alsace Nature, Strasbourg Initiation Nature Environnement, League for the Protection of Birds, Ofice Naturalists data Alsace, Alsace Botanical Conservatory, Ornithological group Refuge North Alsace, Hedges Alsace). It has for example worked with the Strasbourg Initiation Nature Environnement for the dissemination of information and pedagogy (Ref. 4).
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Local government/municipality
Public sector institution
Researchers/university
District/neighbourhood association
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
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
Yes
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
The project is conducted in response to the Urban Community of Strasbourg's Green and Blue Frame (TVB) from 2011 (Ref. 4, 9).
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
After being named the French Capital of Biodiversity for 2014, the City of Strasbourg has stated its commitment to continue and strengthen its development of urban nature and biodiversity, to prepare the territory for the challenges of climate change (Ref. 4).
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
The project is a response to the Urban Community of Strasbourg's Green and Blue Frame (TVB) from 2011 that combines preservation biodiversity and regional planning in the city's broad attempt to mitigate the effects of climate change. (Ref. 4, 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
green spaces (Ref 4)
urban greenery (Ref 2)
vegetation; local species (Ref. 4)
family gardens; shared gardens (and 5 in progress) collective urban vegetable gardens (and 4 PUC in progress); 18 educational school gardens (and 5 in progress)" (Ref. 1)
rainwater collection bins and compost (Ref 7)
"Fruits and bees in town: The community sets up small fruit trees and orchards in parks and schools" (Ref. 1).
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
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
€100,000 - €500,000
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
€280 000 (Ref. 1)
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)
Approximately €280,000 paid by Strasbourg Eurometropole (Ref. 1)
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
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Business models
Green densification model
Local stewardship model
Urban offsetting model (biodiversity or water)
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Citizens / local communities
Type of innovation
Social
Governance innovation
Please specify social innovation
GOVERNANCE: The local authority Strasbourg Eurometropole exhibited dynamic forms of inter-governance in promoting environmental projects with citizens and community groups, via workshops as well as providing online tools for the submission of projects and interventions. Through these tools citizens enable local authorities and associations to make interventions on the basis of feasibility studies, while citizen and association project ideas are collected and collated between different groups and communities in such a way that optimises the resources behind these interventions (Ref. 3, 4).
Novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Environmental quality
Improved waste management
Water management and blue areas
Improved stormwater management
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Increased number of species present
Enhanced support of pollination
Description of environmental benefits
Environmental quality:
-Improved waste management: compost bins have been put in place in some gardens (Ref. 7).

Water management and blue areas:
-Improved stormwater management: rainwater collection bins have been put in place in some gardens (Ref. 7).

Green space and habitat:
-Increased green space area: "The city of Strasbourg can rely on a historical heritage of 4,800 family gardens representing 170 ha whose origin dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. In addition, the following have been put in place: 16 shared gardens (and 5 in progress), i.e. 9,500 m²; 2 collective urban vegetable gardens (and 4 PUC in progress), i.e. 1600m²; 18 educational school gardens (and 5 in progress)" (Ref. 1).
-Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems (local habitats for local species)/Enhanced support of pollination: "Tree feet and garden sidewalks: Some pioneering neighborhoods in this area have paved the way since 2010. Two residents' associations have taken the initiative to bring flowers to their neighborhood, by planting and maintaining trees. Fruits and bees in town: The community sets up small fruit trees and orchards in parks and schools" (Ref. 1).
Economic impacts
Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not)
Please specify other socio-cultural impact
sustainable management: "sustainable management of the territory and new projects" (Ref. 2).
Description of economic benefits
Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not): "The city of Strasbourg can rely on a historical heritage of 4,800 family gardens representing 170 ha whose origin dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. In addition, the following have been put in place: 16 shared gardens (and 5 in progress), i.e. 9,500 m²; 2 collective urban vegetable gardens (and 4 PUC in progress), i.e. 1600m²; 18 educational school gardens (and 5 in progress)" (Ref. 1).
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Fair distribution of social, environmental and economic benefits of the NBS project
Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Increased access to healthy/affordable food
Increased sustainability of agriculture practices
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Promotion of cultural diversity
Protection of natural heritage
Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
Preserved spiritual and religious values
Increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging
Education
Increased support for education and scientific research
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Other
Please specify other environmental justice issue
The project is a response to the Urban Community of Strasbourg's Green and Blue Frame (TVB) from 2011 that combines preservation biodiversity and regional planning in the city's broad attempt to mitigate the effects of climate change. (Ref. 4, 9)
Description of social and cultural benefits
sustainable ag: -Improved stormwater management: rainwater collection bins have been put in place in some gardens (Ref. 7).

Social justice and cohesion:
-Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces: open public workshops resulted in more than 230 proposals being made for urban environmental projects (Ref. 4)
-Increased access to healthy/affordable food/historic landscape/identity: "The city of Strasbourg can rely on a historical heritage of 4,800 family gardens representing 170 ha whose origin dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. In addition, the following have been put in place: 16 shared gardens (and 5 in progress), i.e. 9,500 m²; 2 collective urban vegetable gardens (and 4 PUC in progress), i.e. 1600m²; 18 educational school gardens (and 5 in progress)" (Ref. 1).

Cultural heritage and sense of place:
-Protection of natural heritage: "The city of Strasbourg benefits from an exceptional natural heritage, recognized at European level. It contributes as much to the local identity as to the attractiveness of the territory. This heritage is the subject of management actions in favor of biodiversity carried out by the community" (Ref. 2).

Education
-Support education and scientific research/Increased knowledge of locals about local nature: "Respond to the "essentials" of such an approach, such as inventory work, protection of natural heritage, environmental education, sustainable management of the territory and new projects" (Ref. 2).

-cultural diversity/green space increased: The City of Strasbourg put three different types of gardens at the disposal of its inhabitants: family gardens, shared gardens, and since 2012, Urban Collective Gardens (or PUC). Strasbourg has 4800 home gardens where the allocated plots can reach up to 300m²; shared gardens have been planted 2007 and are taken up by local associations; halfway between family gardens (private) and shared gardens (public) are PUCs, for people in demand for food gardens who do not need the space offered by the family gardens, rather devoted to leisure. Most of the time, these people only want a "little piece of land" that can meet their own food needs because they have little time to spend on gardening or low income. The area of ​​the parcels created within the PUC is about 40m². (7)
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
- open public workshops resulted in more than 230 proposals being made for urban environmental projects (Ref. 4)
-4,800 family gardens representing 170 ha whose origin dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. In addition, the following have been put in place: 16 shared gardens (and 5 in progress), i.e. 9,500 m²; 2 collective urban vegetable gardens (and 4 PUC in progress), i.e. 1600m²; 18 educational school gardens (and 5 in progress)" (Ref. 1).
-€280,000 paid by Strasbourg Eurometropole (Ref. 1)
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
No information available
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Other
Please specify other method used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Citizens were involved via consultations and workshops throughout the duration of the project and after its expiry (Ref. 3).
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
No specific information available as of September 28, 2020. Stay at home orders were 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
Collection of monitoring data continuously throughout the project to aid evaluation
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Questionnaire surveys / online surveys
Other
Where can this data be accessed? Please include a link to a report or web-page.
https://www.strasbourg.eu/plan-grandeur-nature
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Yes
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
Yes
Link to a web-based monitoring tool
http://www.strasbourgcapousse.eu/carte/
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
Other
Please specify other modes of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Consultation (Ref. 2, 4).
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Yes
Please specify
Citizens were involved via consultations and workshops throughout the duration of the project and after its expiry (Ref. 3).
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
(1) STRASBOURG GRANDEUR NATURE, A NOURISHING CITY
(2) THE STRASBOURG GRANDEUR NATURE MAP
(5) The Village Urban Gardens
(6) PUBLIC AND NATURAL SPACES
(7) Strasbourg: between family gardens and shared gardens, the Urban Collective…
(8) Strasbourg: How the city wants to become the green capital of Europe in 2019
Documents relevant to the intervention
Attachment Size
(3) INFORMATION SESSION: STRASBOURG FULL-SCALE (3.37 MB) 3.37 MB
(4) STRASBOURG GRANDEUR NATURE (764.47 KB) 764.47 KB
(9) Blue and Green Frame (537 KB) 537 KB
List of references
(1) Capitales Francaisees de la Biodiversite. (2014). STRASBOURG GRANDEUR NATURE, UNE VILLE NOURRICIÈRE. Available at: http://www.capitale-biodiversite.fr/experiences/strasbourg-grandeur-nature-une-ville-nourriciere (Accessed: September 28, 2020).
(2) Strasbourg Eurometropole. [no date]. LE PLAN STRASBOURG GRANDEUR NATURE. Available at: https://www.strasbourg.eu/plan-grandeur-nature (Accessed: September 28, 2020).
(3) Carré, Salon. (2016). STRASBOURG GRANDEUR NATURE. (Document attached).
(4) Strasbourg Eurometropole. [no date]. Strasbourg: GRANDEUR NATURE: PLAN D'ACTIONS 2016-2020. (Document attached).
(5) ECO-Conseil. [no date]. Les Potagers Urbains Collectifs. Available at: http://www.ecoconseil.org/decouvrir-nos-actions/accompagnement-de-projet/potagers-urbains-collectifs (Accessed: September 28, 2020).
(6) Strasbourg Eurometropole. [no date]. ESPACES PUBLICS ET NATURELS. Available at: https://www.strasbourg.eu/en-tete/contact/services/espaces-publics-et-naturels (Accessed: September 28, 2020).
(7) Agricultures Urbaines Strasbourg [no date]. Potagers Urbains Collectifs (PUC). Available at: http://agricultures-urbaines.u-strasbg.fr/potagers-urbains-collectifs-puc/ (Accessed: September 28, 2020).
(8) Ighirri, Alexia. (2016). Strasbourg: How the city wants to become the green capital of Europe in 2019. Available at: http://www.20minutes.fr/strasbourg/1810391-20160321-strasbourg-comment-ville-veut-devenir-capitale-verte-europe-2019 (Accessed: September 28, 2020).
(9) Strasbourg Eurometropole. [no date]. LA TRAME VERTE & BLEUE DE L’EUROMÉTROPOLE DE STRASBOURG. (Document attached).
Additional comments
2020 comments:
The City of Strasbourg put three different types of gardens at the disposal of its inhabitants: family gardens, shared gardens, and since 2012, Urban Collective Gardens (or PUC). Strasbourg has 4800 home gardens where the allocated plots can reach allocated plots can reach up to 300m²; shared gardens have been planted 2007 and are taken up by local associations; halfway between family gardens (private) and shared gardens (public) are PUCs, for people in demand for food gardens who do not need the space offered by the family gardens, rather devoted to leisure. Most of the time, these people only want a "little piece of land" that can meet their own food needs because they have little time to spend on gardening or low income. The area of ​​the parcels created within the PUC is about 40m². (7)
Comments and notes
Public Images
Strasbourg Grandeur Nature Plan
Strasbourg Grandeur Nature Plan
City of Strasbourg, retrieved 08/09/2018
A path between vegetable beds
http://agricultures-urbaines.u-strasbg.fr/potagers-urbains-collectifs-puc/
A green compost bin in allotment garden
http://agricultures-urbaines.u-strasbg.fr/potagers-urbains-collectifs-puc/