1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Wuppertal
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
VohRang - Gewerbeentwicklung und Artenschutz im Einklang
Short description of the intervention
On the territory of the former train station Vohwinkel (including the train tracks) a brownfield site of 15 ha was turned into a commercial urban area which was created as an economic driver for Wuppertal. However, the site was inhabited by the highly endangered sand lizard, which is why a species conservation island was created as the commercial park was being built. As a habitat of the endangered sand lizard species, the conservation area in the South-West of the commercial park remained free from construction development, and an adequate conservation concept was elaborated and implemented. The nature conservation area is maintained by the environmental protection department of the city. (Ref. 1 and 6). The project succeeded in its goal of creating a commercial area on the former Vohwinkel marshalling yard while simultaneously paying attention to the protection of the endangered sand lizard. (Ref. 2) Additionally to the conservation area within and around the commercial zone, lizards have also been relocated beyond the city limits as a biodiversity offsetting measure. (Ref. 8) Furthermore, the dried out Krutscheider stream, forming part of an important biotope system with its gravel surfaces, was dug out again to serve as a green corridor for compensation against the habitat loss. (Ref. 1, 4 and 6)
Address

Wuppertal
Germany

Location
Point location, which indicates where the NBS takes place
Total area
150000.00m²
NBS area
60000.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Previous derelict area
Website of the intervention
https://www.wuppertal.de/rathaus-buergerservice/umweltschutz/nachhaltigkeit/Umw…
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
unknown
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2009
End date of the intervention
unknown
Present stage of the intervention
Unknown
Goals of the intervention
Preserving the endangered species of lizard and its natural habitat on the former brownfield site (Ref. 1 and 3)
Since the planned commercial space reduces the habitat of the sand lizard, in addition to conservation measures, the goal is to expand their habitat to the East through a green corridor which includes the re-creation of the former Krutscheider stream and area of the train tracks (Ref. 6)
Regulate built environment: as an economic hub of the region, Wuppertal needs to build high-quality commercial space for companies with the goal of creating jobs and building the city’s economy. The aim is to balance out construction work and economic development with species protection. (Ref. 2)
Quantitative targets
Unknown
Monitoring indicators defined
Species count of the highly endangered sand lizard (Ref. 1 and 4)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Environmental quality
Soil quality improvement
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Regulation of built environment
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Environmental and climate justice
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Economic development: service sectors
Real estate development
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
Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
Promote environmentally-sound development in and around protected areas
Create new habitats
Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
Protect species
Undertake specific measures to protect species
Undertake specific measures to protect endangered species
Undertake specific measures to protect valued species
Control and clean invasive alien species
Take measures for ex situ conservation
Means for conservation governance
Biodiversity offsets
Manage biological resources for conservation and sustainable use
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?
Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
Restore valued species
Restore endangered species
Clear and control invasive alien species
Restore ecological connectivity
Please specify "other Type of NBS project"
Protection of endangered species (Ref. 2)
Implementation activities
Because according to the regional nature law of North Rhine-Westphalia, the lizard type which found perfect habitat conditions on the former brownfield is an especially endangered species, a special conservation programme was developed by the city of Wuppertal in collaboration with a commissioned nature agency. (Ref. 2) The focus of the programme was to re-create the ideal habitat of the sand lizard in specific areas within and adjacent to the newly established commercial zone. The areas under development were searched for animals in order to collect them and relocate them in the specially designated species protection area. (Reference 8) The favoured habitat that was implemented includes hiding and sunny places through piling up deadwood and stones, the provision of suitable substrate for their eggs in heaps of sand in South-West direction and the creation of temporary ponds on impervious soils. Furthermore, the dried out Krutscheider stream, forming part of an important biotope system with its gravel surfaces, was dug out again to serve as a green corridor for compensation against the habitat loss. (Ref. 1, 4 and 6). The conservation programme also includes maintenance measures such as removing top soil, mowing of tall forbs, and cutting back encroaching shrubs. (Ref. 6) Because the sand lizard doesn’t like shade at all, some trees had to be cut out. (Ref. 7)
Type of NBS project
Transformation of previously derelict areas
Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity
Other
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Blue infrastructure
Lakes/ponds
Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Parks and urban forests
Large urban parks or forests
Green corridors and green belts
Vegetation Type
Trees
Other
Please specify how many trees were planted
Because the sand lizard doesn’t like shade at all, some trees had to be cut out. (Ref. 7)
Amenities offered by the NBS
Unknown
Please specify "other marginalized group"
endangered sand lizard (Ref 2)
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Genetic materials from all biota
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Maintenance of genetic diversity
Pest and disease control
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Scale
Spatial scale
Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Citizens or community groups
Marginalized groups
Other
Please specify "other primary beneficiary"
endangered sand lizard and its natural habitat (Ref 3)
Marginalized groups
Other
Governance
Governance arrangements
Government-led
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
There were five parties involved in the project: the regional government, the city of Wuppertal, the municipal utilities (mentioned below as public sector institution), the private planning bureau Weluga and the bureau Ökoplan which had conducted the assessment of the area and developed guidelines with options for structural natural elements for species preservation. These parties frequently met to the coordinate the planning and to discuss the compensation and maintenance measures (Ref. 4). The special conservation programme was developed by the city of Wuppertal in collaboration with a commissioned nature agency. (Ref. 2) The nature conservation area is maintained by the city department for environmental protection. (Ref. 1 and 6).
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Other
Please specify other key actors – Initiating organization
commissioned nature agency. (Ref. 2)
Land owners
Other
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Regional government
Local government/municipality
Public sector institution
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Other
Please specify other land owner
the territory of the former train station Vohwinkel (including the train tracks) a brownfield site of 15 ha was turned into a commercial urban area which was created as an economic driver for Wuppertal. However, the site was inhabited by the highly endangered sand lizard, which is why a species conservation island was created as the commercial park was being built. As a habitat of the endangered sand lizard species, the conservation area in the South-West of the commercial park remained free from construction development, and an adequate conservation concept was elaborated and implemented. The nature conservation area is maintained by the environmental protection department of the city. (Ref. 1 and 6)
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Unknown
Please specify other landowner
the territory of the former train station Vohwinkel (including the train tracks) a brownfield site of 15 ha was turned into a commercial urban area which was created as an economic driver for Wuppertal. However, the site was inhabited by the highly endangered sand lizard, which is why a species conservation island was created as the commercial park was being built. As a habitat of the endangered sand lizard species, the conservation area in the South-West of the commercial park remained free from construction development, and an adequate conservation concept was elaborated and implemented. The nature conservation area is maintained by the environmental protection department of the city. (Ref. 1 and 6)
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
Yes
Please specify the "Regional Directive/Strategy"
There is a FFH Directive (Fauna-Flora-Habitat). Its goal is the protect and preserve wild species, their habitats and the europeanwide connections between these habitats (Ref. 5).
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the national regulations/strategy/plan
The lizard type is on the list of endangered species in Germany, therefore the preservation of its habitat is mandated by national and regional law according to the "Bundesnaturgesetz". It is stated that the schedule for the constrution and its planning had to be changed based on that (Ref. 1 and 5).
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Unknown
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Mandatory (based on policy)
Intervention is mandatory
Environmental regulation
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
local law must be in compliance with regional and national laws: The lizard type is on the list of endangered species in Germany, therefore the preservation of its habitat is mandated by national and regional law according to the "Bundesnaturgesetz". It is stated that the schedule for the constrution and its planning had to be changed based on that (Ref. 1 and 5).
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Please specify other vegetation type
Flowering plants (Ref. 2)
habitat that was implemented includes: hiding and sunny places through piling up deadwood and stones, the provision of suitable substrate for their eggs in heaps of sand in South-West direction and the creation of temporary ponds on impervious soils. (Ref. 1, 4 and 6).
dried out Krutscheider stream, forming part of an important biotope system with its gravel surfaces, was dug out again to serve as a green corridor for compensation against the habitat loss. (Ref. 1, 4 and 6)
maintenance measures such as removing topsoil, mowing of tall forbs, and cutting back encroaching shrubs. (Ref. 6)
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
Yes
Please specify
The scientific study and assessment performed by the bureau Ökoplan to elaborate the guidance for species the sand lizard species conservation (Ref. 4).
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Please specify
Please see further information below additional information gathered through email correspondence in the references section
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
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
Public local authority budget
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Please specify other Business model
protection of endangered species, not for business purposes (Ref 2)
Business models
Urban offsetting model (biodiversity or water)
None of these
Other
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Type of innovation
Unknown
Please specify technological innovation
The project demonstrates that the existence of commercial spaces is possible alongside protected areas (Ref. 1).
Novelty level of the innovation
The innovation is completely new without connections to previous initiative(s)
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
On the territory of the former train station Vohwinkel (including the train tracks) a brownfield site of 15 ha was turned into a commercial urban area which was created as an economic driver for Wuppertal. However, the site was inhabited by the highly endangered sand lizard, which is why a species conservation island was created as the commercial park was being built. As a habitat of the endangered sand lizard species, the conservation area in the South-West of the commercial park remained free from construction development, and an adequate conservation concept was elaborated and implemented. The nature conservation area is maintained by the environmental protection department of the city. (Ref. 1 and 6).
Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Green space and habitat
Increase in protected green space areas
Increased number of protection areas
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Increased conversion of degraded land or soil
Reduced biodiversity loss
Increased number of species present
Increased protection of threatened species
Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
Enhanced support of pollination
Description of environmental benefits
Green space / habitats / biodiversity: Based on the creation of a green corridor to the East in combination with the digging out of the stream to expand the lizard's habitat, the adjacent brownfield was repopulated by different types of flowers to serve as a food source for bees, ladybirds and insects and the riverbanks became part of the habitat of the sand lizard (Ref. 1 and 4) The city reports that in addition to the lizards, rare natterjack toads as well as moths benefit from the species protection program that is mandatory for the construction site at the marshalling yard. After clearing work, it became clear that the population of sand lizards and natterjack toads had increased significantly because the animals found better living conditions on the cleared areas. (Ref. 8)
-"The fallow land adjacent to the stream was quickly populated by a large number of flowering plants. This not only pleases the bees, butterflies and other insects, but also numerous cyclists and walkers on the neighboring northern railway line." (Ref. 2)
-. The conservation programme also includes maintenance measures such as removing top soil, mowing of tall forbs, and cutting back encroaching shrubs. (Ref. 6)
Economic impacts
Unknown
Please specify other socio-cultural impact
Aesthetic appreciation (Ref. 2)
Description of economic benefits
Unknown
Social and cultural impacts
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging
Increased appreciation for natural spaces
Other
Please specify other environmental justice issue
Based on the creation of a green corridor to the East in combination with the digging out of the stream to expand the lizard's habitat, the adjacent brownfield was repopulated by different types of flowers to serve as a food source for bees, ladybirds and insects and the riverbanks became part of the habitat of the sand lizard (Ref. 1 and 4) The city reports that in addition to the lizards, rare natterjack toads as well as moths benefit from the species protection program that is mandatory for the construction site at the marshalling yard. After clearing work, it became clear that the population of sand lizards and natterjack toads had increased significantly because the animals found better living conditions on the cleared areas. (Ref. 8)
Description of social and cultural benefits
"The fallow land adjacent to the stream was quickly populated by a large number of flowering plants. This not only pleases the bees, butterflies and other insects, but also numerous cyclists and walkers on the neighboring northern railway line." (Ref. 2)
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
Number of sand lizards and natterjack toads (Ref. 2 and 8)
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
No information available
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Other
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
Yes
Please specify the negative impacts
The Vohwinkel district council criticized the project because of the clearing of trees for the lizard’s habitat and claim that trees are needed for the privacy and noise protection for those who live along the railway line. Mayor Peter Jung (CDU) and nature conservationist Jörg Liesendahl clashed over the issue of nature conservation versus economic development. Six hectares in the southwest of the area have been preserved for the lizard species, which makes up a third of the commercial area created. Jung would have liked the balance to shift towards companies and the new commercial zone and has described the reptile as a "very ugly animal". (Ref. 7)
COVID-19 pandemic
Unknown (September 9 2020)
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
No evidence in public records
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Measurements of biophysical aspects of the NBS (e.g. temperature, water flow)
Observation (including virtual surveillance methods)
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
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
In the environmental assessment prior to the project, the following focus areas were defined for future impact assessment / monitoring:
1) Biotopes - do the surface areas (both the areas of intervention and the complete area including the commerical space) develop according to the guiding principle (concept)? Measurement instruments are: vegetation impressions, airborne remote sensing of biotope types, permanent observation installations, photo documentation
2) Development of the local sand lizard population (count) and the good state of conservation as mandated by the
FFH Directive; Measurement instruments: extensive population estimates, man-hour-counting, transect mapping
3) Development of other species on the former brownfield; Measurement instrument: species count (Ref. 4)
The project measures are monitored and controlled by experts - document changes in species count (faunistic success monitoring) and if necessary modify repetitive maintenance measures (Ref. 4)
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
No
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
No
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
No
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
Major project website
Reference 7: Bäume weichen für die Zauneidechse
Reference 8: Der Siegeszug der Zauneidechse
List of references
1. Rapp, L. (2017) ‘Gewerbegebiet VohRang expandiert’, February. Available at: http://www.business-on.de/bergischesland/gewerbegebiet-vohrang-expandiert-_id907.html [Accessed: 09 Sept. 2020]

2. Stadt Wuppertal (2017) Nachhaltige Gewerbeentwicklung schont Natur und Landschaft, businesson.de. Available at: https://www.wuppertal.de/rathaus-buergerservice/umweltschutz/nachhaltigkeit/Gewerbegebiet_VohRang.php [Accessed: 09 Sept. 2020]

3. Stadt Wuppertal and Kordges, T. (2006) Anlage zur Begründung des Bebauungsplanes Nr. 1081 - Mittelstandspark VohRang - Artenhilfsprogramm Zauneidechse im Bereich Wuppertal-Vohwinkel ( VohRang ). Essen. Available at: http://docplayer.org/57727124-Artenhilfsprogamm-zauneidechse-im-bereich-wuppertal-vohwinkel-vohrang-auszug-anlage-5-zur-vo-0041-09.html [Accessed: 09 Sept. 2020].

4. Landesamt für Natur / Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz (2014) Geschützte Arten in Nordrhein-Westfalen. Zauneidechse (Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758). Available at: http://artenschutz.naturschutzinformationen.nrw.de/artenschutz/de/arten/gruppe/amph_rept/kurzbeschreibung/102321 [Accessed: 09 Sept. 2020]

5. Natura 2000 (no date) Fauna-Flora-Habitat-Richtlinie. Available at: http://www.fauna-flora-habitatrichtlinie.de/ [Accessed: 09 Sept. 2020]

6. Stadt Wuppertal. Ressort Bauen und Wohnen (2009) Bebauungsplan Nr. 1081 – Mittelstandspark VohRang. Umweltbericht Fassung März 2009. [Weblink unavailable in 2020]

7. Westdeutsche Zeitung. (2014). Bäume weichen für die Zauneidechse. [online]. Available at: https://www.wz.de/nrw/wuppertal/stadtteile/vohwinkel/baeume-weichen-fuer-die-zauneidechse_aid-29620825 [Accessed: 10 Sept. 2020]

8. Westdeutsche Zeitung. (2011). Der Siegeszug der Zauneidechse. [online]. Available at: https://www.wz.de/nrw/wuppertal/stadtteile/vohwinkel/der-siegeszug-der-zauneidechse_aid-29620815 [Accessed: 10 Sept. 2020].
Additional comments
2017 comment:
Unfortunately, an impact assessment was neither found online nor provided by the contact person of the city of Wuppertal, therefore no further impacts concerning the lizard can be stated here.

2020 comment:
Impact assessment / monitoring: focus areas were defined for future assessment, but I couldn't find any reports about the assessments themselves.
Interview
Attachment Size
Additional information concerning financing, funding and evaluation (16.36 KB) 16.36 KB
Comments and notes
Public Images
New habitat for lizards
New habitat for lizards
Reference 2: https://www.wuppertal.de/rathaus-buergerservice/umweltschutz/nachhaltigkeit/Gewerbegebiet_VohRang.php
The Krutscheider stream surfaces again
The Krutscheider stream surfaces again
Reference 2: https://www.wuppertal.de/rathaus-buergerservice/umweltschutz/nachhaltigkeit/Gewerbegebiet_VohRang.php