Weaver Square community garden
Weaver Square Community Garden started in May 2011 on a derelict site owned by Dublin City Council. The site contains the Community Garden and 28 individual allotments let out by the council. The main focus of the Community Garden is to create a safe and relaxing green space for all to use and enjoy. The organizers hope in the future to have more emphasis on the garden as a learning experience, with open days & workshops and other related talks. Dublin City Council has given notice that Weaver Square Community Garden and 27 family allotments are to close at the end of 2018. (Ref. 1; Ref. 2; Ref. 3)
Restoration of Zabalgarbi Waste Disposal Site
The company running the Zabalgarbi waste disposal site manages a solid waste–to-energy plant and also houses a mechanical biological treatment (MBT) plant, a composting plant, a landfill and a leachate treatment plant. During construction of the first plant, Zabalgarbi regenerated and recovered the entire Artigas-Arraiz area covering 108 hectares. The area was degraded by shaft mining activity and an opencast quarry. The project aimed at the reforestation and landslide mitigation of this degraded area. Today the area has been reforested, trails were built and space provided for people to enjoy themselves in gardens, picnic areas and along forest tracks. (Ref 1)
Bioswales for flood protection
Following an extreme flood event on August 9th 2008 in Glendhu Park, eight houses experienced flooding and many more came within inches of being flooded. Two swales were constructed by Dublin City Council to provide surface water storage to ensure that no flooding will recur in a similar 100-year pluvial event. The swales are designed to self-drain back into the existing surface water sewer system following a severe storm event (Ref. 1).
Horsea Island Country park
The former Paulsgrove landfill is being developed into the Horsea Island Country Park to address the deficit of public open space for Portsmouth’s residents (3). The council plans to put in place a number of initiatives to make sure the country park is a recreational facility and attracts a diverse range of wildlife. This is being progressed through the PUSH Green Infrastructure Implementation Plan. (1). Veolia, the company that operated the landfill site on Horsea Island has the responsibility for implementing the landscape proposals which include tree planting, grass areas, wildflower meadows, footpaths and cycle routes. (2).
More trees and shrubs by the city lake
The initiative was funded from the participatory budget of the city and resulted in planting new greenery (including 70 trees and a thousand shrubs) by the local city lake 'Balaton' in Bydgoszcz. The justification of the project in its proposal highlights the practical and aesthetic values of green areas [1].
Southsea Green community green-space
Southsea Green community garden was developed from a derelict strip of land, to encourage more local growing and spread the message about gardening and volunteering. With time, the garden has transformed into a community green-space (1). Southsea Greenhouse is a collective of gardeners and crafters. The Greenhouse Community Co-operative is transforming wasteland into a community garden and re-investing profits from sales of produce and crafts, back into the local community. Community events and workshops are offered to encourage sharing of local skills and resources, foster a love of the city’s greenspace, and care for wildlife. (3)
Coastal Defences - Milton Common
Milton Common is the second stage of the multi-million-pound Flooding and Coastal Erosion Risk Management scheme being developed across the north of Portsea Island, from Mountbatten Centre round to Milton Common. The overall project will reduce the risk of coastal flooding and erosion and provide the critical infrastructure the city will need over the next 100 years (6).
As the second phase, Milton Common included the instalment of a new rock revetment as a plans defence, the creation of a coastal path and three new earth bunds with new footpaths (6). The work has also included the demolition of Great Salterns Quay and restoration of the natural mudflat habitat (2,4).
The fully completed scheme will significantly reduce the risk of coastal flooding to Milton Common and the local area over the next 100 years; it will offer protection against a 1 in 500-year flood event providing one of the highest standards of flood protection in the UK outside of London (6).
As the second phase, Milton Common included the instalment of a new rock revetment as a plans defence, the creation of a coastal path and three new earth bunds with new footpaths (6). The work has also included the demolition of Great Salterns Quay and restoration of the natural mudflat habitat (2,4).
The fully completed scheme will significantly reduce the risk of coastal flooding to Milton Common and the local area over the next 100 years; it will offer protection against a 1 in 500-year flood event providing one of the highest standards of flood protection in the UK outside of London (6).
Parks revitalization in Bydgoszcz
The revitalization of two parks in Bydgoszcz - on 'Dabrowski’ and 'Liberty’ hills was planned in 2016 and successfully implemented in 2019. The project involved greenery planting, building health paths and outlook points, as well as new benches and a playground. It improved the aesthetic qualities of the parks, supported the effective management of rainwater and reduced noise from the surrounding areas [1].
Portsmouth Water Drought Garden
The drought-tolerant garden was established by Portsmouth Water at its Head Office entrance in 2007. The plants in the garden, all of which require little or no watering, were chosen to be visually stimulating whilst contributing colour, scent and variation in leaf texture and shape (1). This garden has been designed to be drought-tolerant, easily maintained and can take some wear and tear. The planting reflects the changing seasons with something of interest all year. None of the plants is difficult to grow and is easily obtainable (2).
Solent Seagrass Project
This project is studying seagrass to learn more about the distribution and health of seagrass in the waters of the Solent. By learning about where seagrass exists it can be better protected. The Wildlife Trust have been visiting local seagrass sites including the harbour in Portsmouth (1). Measures that can be employed to help protect Zostera beds include Boat mooring management - a program of awareness to relieve pressure on seagrass in areas of high boating activity, such as the Solent (3) and restoration through seeding or transplanting seagrass and Improving habitat conditions to encourage natural regeneration and colonisation (3).

