Climate change adaptation

Győr and its surroundings boast many rivers, streams and lakes, and experiences intense flooding almost every year. The main goal of Nagy-Pándzsa project was to reduce the risk of flood and to regenerate the Nature 2000 area (Reference 7). Due to the reconstruction of the water transporting feature and the reconstruction of the flood-gate, the flood protection could improve and the pollution of waters could decrease. Therefore, the conditions of flora and fauna of waters improved and the size of the utilizable area increased (Reference 8).

Situated in park Spilberk, the garden features a building with a green roof and a garden with various plots. The building is designed to be carbon neutral and reuses rainwater for toilet flushing and for watering the garden plots. The garden is used for horticultural purposes and environmental education, as well as animal and beekeeping. The complex improves the local micro-climate through cooling and humidification and promotes biodiversity. (Ref. 1; Ref. 2; Ref. 5; Ref. 6)

This project worked to revitalize the area along the river Old Ponávka. This involves the creation of walking paths, bike paths, and public playgrounds. (Ref. 1). Stará Ponávka and the adjoining Svitavy drive were built in the 13th century in the original riverbeds of Ponávka and Svitava before their regulation. By revitalizing this watercourse, the city returned water back to the city, made it accessible to people and improved the natural state of the site (Ref. 14).

The Bio Washing Machine is a combination of an Aquifer Thermal Heat Storage (ATES) system and biological natural attenuation of groundwater and is thereby mainly focused on groundwater decontamination and energy storage. The ATES system accelerates the biological degradation of groundwater contamination and provides sustainable energy because cold water is pumped through buildings during the summer to cool the buildings and hot water during winter for heating. The groundwater decontamination measurements are aimed at protecting water in order to provide safe drinking water (ref. 1, 2, 3)

The surface water system in the VINEX location Leidsche Rijn near Utrecht is a special water system. Nowhere in the Netherlands is the surface water of such a large urban area treated in such a sustainable and climate-proof manner (ref. 2). In Leidsche Rijn, a relatively new city district of Utrecht, a sustainable closed circuit water system was introduced including natural wetlands, bioswales, pumping stations and permeable paving which filters stormwater organically. It is viewed as a more sustainable solution compared to traditional stormwater infrastructure because it benefits biodiversity (e.g. by means of fish passages) and prevents the need for storm water facilities and the influx of unfiltered surface water from elsewhere (ref. 1-3).

The Water of Leith is home to a wide diversity of plants and animals. The river performs an important flood control function in the city. A management plan envisions to create a healthy river that flows through a green corridor from the hills to the sea and is a haven for wildlife, is enjoyed and managed by the public, and is valued for its built and cultural heritage. The current intervention is about an extensive Flood Prevention Scheme. Walls and other flood defence measures have been constructed from Murrayfield downstream to Bonnington. A re-modelling exercise is being carried out to include the impact of climate change on the river system and the efficacy of the flood prevention scheme. The Water of Leith Conservation Trust works to conserve and enhance the river, its heritage and wildlife. It also promotes education and recreation and works with volunteers and community groups (ref 1, 2, 3).

Platenstrasse in the Ginnheim district of Frankfurt was laid out as a four-lane feeder in the 1960s. It leads through the settlement of the same name, which was formerly the housing area of ​​the US armed forces. After their withdrawal in 1994, the settlement came into municipal ownership. Many large families, often with a migration background, moved in. Wild parking lots and storage spaces were created without any quality of stay. In 2000, discussion about the redesign of the Plattenstrasse started and in 2015 it was completely transformed into a green corridor. The street space was rearranged and the paved areas were reduced to the necessary extent. Sensitive planning and respect for the established structures helped to preserve the character of the district while significantly increasing the green area with recreational facilities. (1)

"The desire to integrate trees in the heart of Nancy constitutes a long-standing commitment. The first Charter for Trees of Nancy was signed in 1996. Plant diversity was strengthened and the protection of trees accentuated, in particular thanks to the requirements of the Local Urban Planning. In 2013, the new version of the Charter will make it possible to engage all the actors of urban policy to increase protection of the tree, to be vital to biodiversity and to the quality of the living environment" (Ref. 1). "New legal, urban, ecological and social issues have emerged. The old charter now requires improvements in the face of certain evolutions. It was decided to renew it. This new document is in line with the previous one and faces the new issues of the trees in the city" (Ref. 1, p 9).

Persistently low water levels on the Moson-Danube since 2002, caused by the sinking of and loss of supportive effect from the Danube, caused severe ecological, agricultural and water flow problems (Reference 12). The project, funded by the EU through the Széchenyi Development Plan, was aimed at improving water management and rehabilitating the degraded ecosystem of the area (Reference 1).
The project consists of two phases: the reconstruction and regeneration of the river in the entire Moson-Danube area, and the creation flood gate at the delta. The first phase was completed in 2015, the second phase started in 2017 and is planned to finish in 2021 (Reference 12 and 13).

The Paul Verlaine Garden received the "EcoJardin"(Eco-Garden) label in 2014 (Ref. 2). The EcoJardin repository is intended to be a methodological tool to guide good practices for gardeners and managers of green spaces (Ref. 6)."This garden is labeled as "Tourisme et Handicap". Work has been done so that this place takes particular account of the accessibility to the people with reduced mobility and the visually impaired. The Jardin Paul Garden is a succession of environments and vegetation architectures" (Ref. 1). At the entrance of the park, there is a playground, a garden of le Petit Poucet, and further the forest of birches, vegetable garden and the garden of tall grasses (Ref. 1).