1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Utrecht
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Roerplein Pocket Garden
Short description of the intervention
The Roerplein pocket garden was a Neighborhood Green Plan project. The Neighborhood Green Plans were an initiative of Utrecht Municipality to support the bottom-up 'greening' of its neighbourhoods. Citizens could propose a variety of often quite small-scaled plans that enhance the neighbourhood by means of green spaces that promote social cohesion and thereby community identity. At the Roerplein, a public square was transformed into a green square by way of a participatory process, assisted by a social entrepreneur. The project aimed to reduce heat stress, enhance social cohesion and the attractiveness of the neighbourhood, promote biodiversity and support recreation (ref. 1).
Address

Netherlands

Location
Point location, which indicates where the NBS takes place
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Public Greenspace Area
Website of the intervention
https://naturvation.eu/sites/default/files/utrecht_snapshot.pdf
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2015
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2015
End date of the intervention
2019
Present stage of the intervention
Completed
Goals of the intervention
The goals of the project include:
- reducing urban heat stress
- promoting social cohesion, higher quality green spaces, and community engagement with their local environment
- reducing the attractiveness of the square for youth groups hanging around
- improving the relationship between citizens and the municipality (ref. 1)
Quantitative targets
unknown
Monitoring indicators defined
unknown
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social cohesion
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Reduce the impacts of climate risks events on urban places and communities
Build resilience
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
Create or improve outdoor spaces to help people escape from urban heat
Implementation activities
A resident proposed to turn a paved square, the Roerplein (situated in South West Utrecht), into a green square, an idea that gained approval by other residents after involvement of a social entrepreneur in orchestrating public meetings on the proposals received. Using the input of local people collected at several sessions, the social entrepreneur then made the final design for Roerplein. The municipality has engaged in contingency planning by making an agreement with the residents that they will take on maintenance responsibilities if the community can no longer provide this. However, they would replace current planting with relatively low-maintenance alternatives. The citizens organized themselves into a foundation in order to support management continuity through clear allocation of responsibilities (ref. 1).
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Parks and urban forests
Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces
Vegetation Type
Other
Amenities offered by the NBS
Unknown
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Regulating services
Local climate regulation (temperature reduction)
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Recreation
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
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
Citizens or community groups
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
Citizens can propose a variety of quite small-scale plans that enhance the neighbourhood and the municipality funds ideas meeting their criteria, which are mostly related to accessibility and policy congruence. In the case of Roerplein, the municipality funded an idea by a group of local citizens to turn a paved public square into a green square. The idea was developed through a participatory process
orchestrated by a social entrepreneur, hired by the Nature and Environment Federation Utrecht (NMU). NMU had shown an interest in the plans for South West Utrecht because they were looking to green a site as part of their project work on the urban heat island effect. After implementation by the social entrepreneur together with NMU, a self-management group of neighbors was established who still look after the garden (ref. 1).
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Non-government organisation/civil society
Citizens or community group
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
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
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
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 Neighbourhood Green Plans have been crucial to the development of the Roerplein project, while ongoing financial support for park maintenance is also provided. The funds for the Neighbourhood Green Plan have been made available through the Multi-Annual Green Programme, which outlines concrete proposals to deliver the city’s green space vision. An important strategic document is the Green Structure Plan, which was recently updated to reflect a stronger focus on nature as a solution to urban challenges as part of the healthy urbanisation agenda (ref. 1).
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
The Green Structure Plan of Utrecht municipality lays out the municipality’s plans and strategy for the city’s green space. In 2007, three main objectives were outlined: to enhance the quality of ecologic, recreational and landscape qualities of the existing urban green space; to extend the green space surrounding the city; and to increase the accessibility of green areas around the city.

The 2007 edition of this Green Structure strategy was updated in 2017 with more emphasis on how to employ the city’s green space for addressing societal challenges, keeping in mind that the city expects to grow in population. A focus on expanding urban green space was added, especially in neighborhoods where green space is lacking. In addition, the Green Structure Plan has the objective of enhancing natural capital, in particular to address health and climate change (ref. 1).
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
City specific green space strategy or plan
Please specify other vegetation type
The reference (1) talks about creation of green space but doesn't specify the vegetation type.
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
The Utrecht municipality is also experimenting with new ideas by engaging in knowledge exchange with other major cities in government-led City Deal projects. The City deal programme is a national programme to promote innovation, growth and livability, by connecting city authorities with one another as well as with other government agencies and levels, businesses or societal organisations. In such collaborations, agreements are made around certain urban challenges, such as assessing green capital and improving resilience to climate change. Such deals are to lead to innovative solutions, where urban challenges are faced more effectively through collaboration. Cities decide which challenges to address, and take the initiative to form consortia. The national government takes part in such cooperation by reconsidering policies and funding constructions; funding from the programmes comes from municipal budgets. [1]
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
Yes
Please specify
To fund local green interventions as part of the Neighbourhood Green Plan, the Utrecht municipality made available €500,000 for each of the 10 neighbourhoods in the city. Another such instrument is the Initiatievenfonds (Initiative Fund) providing up to €50,000 (for a maximum of three years in a row) to community initiatives with ideas for improving neighbourhood quality. [1]
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
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
€500,000 - €2,000,000
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
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
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Citizens / local communities
Type of innovation
Social
Policy innovation
Governance innovation
Please specify social innovation
Roerplein is a successful example of a nature-based solution due to a combination of factors providing the right conditions for the initiative to emerge. It includes a supportive policy context with funding for citizen-led green space initiatives. Other important success factors are the availability of a social entrepreneur with experience in participatory methods and landscape architecture, as well as an external organisation willing to fund her. Partnership working and engaging people with the right expertise was therefore also crucial to success
Novelty level of the innovation
Ambiguous (e.g. multiple interpretations)
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
The Roerplein, a pocket park in a residential area in Utrecht, is an example of a neighbourhood initiative (financially) supported through the Wijkgroenplannen (Neighbourhood Green Plans) policy of Utrecht municipality. The Neighbourhood Green Plans policy was a temporary instrument, running between 2011 and 2017, that made €5 million available to realize citizen ideas for greener neighbourhoods. In total, 187 projects have been implemented, of which one third has led to (a form of) self-management by citizens. In the case of Roerplein, a resident proposed to turn a paved square into a green square, an idea that gained approval by other residents after involvement of a social entrepreneurs in orchestrating public meetings on the proposals received. While the specific idea for Roerplain was a bottom-up initiative, the encouragement and support mechanisms were in place from the municipality for citizens to create green spaces within their neighborhood. [1]
Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Climate change
Lowered local temperature
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Description of environmental benefits
- The creation of theRoerplein park reduces urban heat stress (ref. 1)
- The final plan served to reduce heat stress, promote biodiversity, to enhance ecological quality of existing urban greenspaces in Utrecht for people, plants,and animals (ref. 1)
- The Roerplein pocket park was a highly paved neighborhood with little green space (ref. 1) which was improved to be greener with this intervention (ref. 1)
Economic impacts
Reduce financial cost for urban management
Description of economic benefits
- These projects are managed by citizens which results in higher quality green spaces and lower maintenance costs (ref. 1). The project is considered to be likely much more cost-effective than a more expert-led approach (ref. 1)
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved social cohesion
Improved access to urban green space
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Description of social and cultural benefits
- The final plan served to reduce heat stress, enhance social cohesion and the attractiveness of the neighborhood, promote biodiversity,and support recreation (ref. 1)
- Once, the set-up was with the citizens maintaining the green space has the advantages of promoting social cohesion, higher quality green spaces,and community engagement with their local environment (ref. 1)
- The pocket park was implemented in 2015 and is currently maintained by citizens (ref. 1)
- it is a multifunctional intervention within a highly paved neighbourhood with little green space, established through public funds, and managed by local citizens with support of the municipality (ref. 1)
- The citizens have organized themselves into a foundation in order to support management continuity through a clear allocation of responsibilities (ref. 1)
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
Unknown
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Water management (SDG 6)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
Voluntary work opportunities
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
Unknows as of 30 July 2020.
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
For the city deal ‘valuation of green and blue urban space’, Utrecht municipality participates in developing a valuation tool, the TEEB-city tool (The Economic of Ecosystems and Biodiversity). The TEEB City tool is a generic instrument that can be used in actual practice by assigning values to “green” and “blue” measures. For example, the effect of green roofs on energy-saving or water storage, or the construction of a park driving up rateable values. The tool does not just provide insight into the value of greenery and water in a city, but also shows which parties benefit from the measures.
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
Submission of monitoring data (citizen observation)
Other
Please specify other modes of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Citizens have started a self-management group, which has been formalised as a foundation in order to ensure continuity in management. Currently, the garden is maintained by residents, one of whom is a professional gardener. The self-management group continuously evaluates the condition of the park (ref. 1).
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Yes
Please specify
The pocket park itself is subject to continuous improvement due to the self-management group (ref. 1)
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Yes
Please specify
The self-management team emerged from one of the meetings during the planning stage, and was initiated by the residents. The plot is still maintained by the original core of this resident group. There has not been an evaluation of the project by the NMU or the municipality. The designer/social entrepreneur has (self-)evaluated the project one year after its implementation. The pocket park itself is subject to continuous improvement due to the self-management group. Aspects that do not work out well such as ‘loose’ cement under the stones in the central path so that children can pick these up and throw them around, damaging cars, are discussed with the municipality and improved. [1]
References
List of references
SNAPSHOT- UTRECHT: ROERPLEIN POCKET PARK. (n.d.). Naturvation. Available at: https://naturvation.eu/sites/default/files/utrecht_snapshot.pdf (Accessed 30 July 2020)
Comments and notes
Public Images
The Green Public Square from Above (2014)
The Green Public Square from Above (2014)
Photographer: Jack Bos, retrieved 08/17/2018 from Anne-Mette van Lieshout-Andersen
Green Public Square (2014)
Green Public Square (2014)
AM Landskab, retrieved 08/17/2018 from Anne-Mette van Lieshout-Andersen
Green Public Square (2014)
Green Public Square (2014)
AM Landskab, retrieved 08/17/2018 from Anne-Mette van Lieshout-Andersen