Climate change mitigation

The Gar'den is a Provencal garden and a vegetable garden of permaculture, both a relaxing space and a participatory garden. Indeed, everyone will be invited to participate in the life of this Gar'den, common good to protect. Young and older will be able to discover the Provencal vegetable treasures and relax in a space devoted to the sharing of goods and knowledge. (Ref. 11)

Greened-over urban railway tracks (grass tracks) is a city-wide program in Stuttgart which assumes the construction of tram lines with grassed-over tracks. This applies not only to planning and construction but also long-term maintenance (ref 1).

The construction of a new main bus station inaugurated in 2014, is part of a desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to encourage users to favor bus routes (Ref. 1). Part of this construction project, a vegetal wall of 210 meters long and 8 meters high has been implemented in order to act on noise (-20 decibels) and visual pollution, and improve air quality. It will be the largest public vegetal wall in France. (Ref. 4, page 26)

In 2008, a green wall of more than 500 m^2 using a hydroponic watering system was developed on the side of the Max Juvenal bridge. Designed by Patrick Blanc, french botanist and pioneer in the development of green walls, it is considered an "authentic work of art, which evolves over time and the seasons and contributes to "renaturing" the urban space" (Ref. 4, page 7). The wall is intended to illustrate the benefits that green walls can bring to the environment, such as the reduction of heat islands in urban areas and their contribution to cleaner air due to the production of oxygen and the reduction of CO2 rate by photosynthesis (Ref. 1).

Number One First Street is at the corner of Medlock Street and Whitworth Street behind the train arches near Oxford Road Station in the city center of Manchester (ref. 6). During the redevelopment of the former BT building now called Number One First Street a green roof was installed (ref 2). Whilst the vegetation slowly established, it provided a habitat for invertebrates and insects. A green wall, accommodating 37,000 plants was planned to be installed by 2020 which would replace glass, plastic and metal cladding with greenery (ref 1).

The Revealing the Roch project uncovered two sections of the River Roch to expose a historic bridge which had been hidden for over 100 years (ref 1). Re-opening and deculverting the River Roch and bridge has a tangible benefit by reducing flood risk for the town (ref 4). The scheme, which is a key part of Rochdale town centre’s ongoing regeneration programme will help reduce flood risk in the town center and create educational opportunities. The project also includes enhancing the natural heritage of the river by introducing features that encourage river vegetation and creatures to re-establish themselves (ref 5). The project has since led to a wildlife boost, with brown trout, bullhead fish, heron and kingfishers all being seen since construction work to open the river began. (Ref 3). As the River Roch connects to River Mersey which empties into the North Atlantic ocean, this intervention addresses marine ecosystem restoration as well.

New Bolton Woods Ltd is a development partnership between the regeneration company Urbo and Bradford Council (ref5). This project aims to create a new sustainable urban neighbourhood, linked to the existing Bolton Woods. As the majority of the proposed development is situated on land which falls within Flood Zone, a range of measures including the raising of ground floor levels, and incorporation of sustainable drainage techniques will be used to manage runoff.
The project intends to provide a series of well landscaped, high-quality open areas and parks for the community. There is potential for a long term phased canal restoration (ref. 1). The second stage,145 houses are currently under construction on the slopes off Poplars Park Avenue, overlooking Canal Road, and are due to be completed by 2021 (ref 6). West Yorkshire Ecological Service raised concerns that the development would lead to a loss of woodland (ref 6).

The Carbon Landscape is a pioneering project in landscape restoration in Wigan, Warrington and Salford. Led by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, it will revitalize a landscape left devastated by decades of coal-mining and peat extraction (Ref 5). It works to restore key habitats and reconnect local people with their unique natural heritage, preserving it for future generations. The restoration of the peat base to lowland raised bog provided an opportunity for carbon sequestration and storage (Ref 1). There is a strong vision to reconnect local people with their rich natural heritage, creating opportunities and a sense of pride in the local area (Ref 4).

The roof installation at the Re:center building comprises of a wildlife pond planted with native marginal plants, a native wildflower area, grasses and herbs, bird feeder tables, insect houses etc. Design features encourage the development of flora and fauna on the roofing area and a growing media (from ABG) provides a nutritionally rich base for vegetation. Beneath this surface, a free-draining void allows for storage of collected rainwater to irrigate the vegetation. This roof is part of the Bright Building at the University of Bradford. (ref2) The building was known throughout its building phase as The Sustainable Enterprise Centre, but it is recognised that thinking around sustainability has moved considerably since this project started back in 2007 and the new name will ‘re:flect’ new agendas in a way that is distinctive within Higher Education (ref 6).

The woodland community garden is the main project of the Woodland community. Since 2010 they have transformed a derelict urban waste dumping site into a thriving community garden and ‘outdoor community centre’. Since then it has become an important local space where people make new friends and feel part of the community. It’s also a great place to unwind from the everyday stresses and strains of city life. Each year, around 50 households grow their own fruit, vegetables and herbs in the garden’s raised beds. The garden has over 50 raised beds where local people can grow their own food with beds allocated on an annual basis. For people who do not have raised beds there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved, including via twice-weekly volunteer sessions. The garden is a wonderfully therapeutic space that helps people to recover from the stresses and strains of everyday life. (Ref 1)