Conversion of former industrial areas

Before the intervention, the dam was a derelict former industrial and recreational area. (Reference 6) It was transformed into a green recreational park of the southern part of Budapest. 40,000 square metres of grass was laid, 700 trees, 20,000 shrubs and 20,000 perennials were planted. (Reference 4) The park now is a home to a biodiverse population of wild birds. It is one of the few places of the city that have direct connection to the Danube, giving space for strolling, doing sport, playing and relaxing. In 2018, a large-scale development began next to the dam, with the aim of creating a new city center. This would make the park a place for leisure for much greater number of people, but may be detrimental to the ecosystem of the dam. (Reference 6)

In 2009, the city of Montpellier launched a large census project to valorize its abandoned areas. The study gives guidance on the management of abandoned areas in Montpellier, particularly in connection with environmental education and awareness objectives (Ref. 2). The strategy aims to preserve and promote the natural heritage of Montpellier; promote wastelands as reservoirs of biodiversity, tools for connecting natural spaces; protect and enhance the great green flows accompanying watercourses (biological links and privileged sites for fauna and flora); and develop a network of soft transport throughout the city based on the green network (rivers, agricultural, natural and park areas) (Ref. 4). "The spaces have been classified according to their context, their origin, their potential. This sometimes subjective typology presents a classification of the wasteland and makes it possible to take a particular look on each land. Surfaces of all shapes and sizes fall within this operational classification." Four Experimental projects include: Zenith Friche, Promenade of the Lironde, Pastourelle, Combemale" (Source: uploaded document).

Revitalization of the Brodowski Pond and its surroundings that include: revitalization of the pond itself, modernization of the viewpoints, building alleys, new lighting system, senior corner, playground, gym, greenery, recreational areas and a dog run. The justification for the project emphasizes revitalization of the area, improving its functionality and usefulness as well as aesthetics while preserving the terrain and raising the importance of the pond as a public space of a city of particular aesthetic values. (1)(2)

Ekostaden Augustenborg is the collective name for a program to aims to transform Augustenborg into a more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable neighborhood. Ekostaden Augustenborg is one of Sweden´s largest urban sustainability projects. Aims and implemented measures were based on the wishes of local stakeholders and residents: No more flooding, green roofs, a musical theme playground, an open stormwater system (ref. 1).

FutureBuilt is a program running between 2010-2020, with expectations to continue from 2021-2030 (Ref. 9). One of its projects consists of the construction of a large greenhouse in between a housing complex in an old industrial building. The greenhouse will be the centre of the building and provide a Mediterranean climate with a lot of green facades, green roofs and indoor vertical greeneries (Ref. 1). The nave of the complex will become a greenhouse and the natural gathering point for the residents. (Ref. 1, 3)

With the "Green River" for Milan, the design team coordinated by Stefano Boeri has proposed an urban reforestation project that aims to realise on 90% of the seven abandoned railways a continuous system of parks, woods, oases, orchards and gardens for public use, linked between them by green corridors and bicycles made on the railroad tracks. (1, 3 and 4).

These gardens fulfil several purposes and have become more and more often a point of aggregation and leisure, of socialisation and recreation, didactic and cultural education. Two interventions were made and in 1991, where 36 and 48 ornamental plants were produced. Subsequently, the gardens were built in the PEEP area of ​​Zelarino (in 1997), and in via Pertini (in 2002) and thanks to the environmental context and the available space, an element of novelty is introduced: the gathering area for communities to share environmental common values and activities. (2).

The Alicante City Council will receive 11 million euros from the European FEDER sustainable growth program 2014-2020 to carry out this project, the Integrated Sustainable Urban Development Strategy of Alicante DUSI Las Cigarreras. This funding will allow the integral transformation of an area that extends between The Castles of Santa Bárbara and San Fernando.” (Ref. 1). The specific transformation includes the recovery and dynamization of an important urban area that includes four historical neighbourhoods and two of the most emblematic mountains of the city, surrounded by two castles and with extensive green areas and rehabilitation of the existing city from the social and environmental sustainability, facing new urban development (Ref. 2)

The project is part of the Environmental Billion project (of the City of Stockholm). The aim is to increase biodiversity, mainly linked to the landscape and also to increase the accessibility for visitors to the Kräppladalen (which is also known as Rågsved’s recreation/outdoors area) and make it more of an attractive area to visit. Also, the project aims to develop a programme and work documents that show how the purpose is to be achieved and also to perform restoration and accessibility measures in accordance with these documents. (Ref 1, 2)
Rågsved's nature reserve is the city's latest reserve and was inaugurated in 2018. It contains a mosaic of open meadows, wetlands, moist deciduous forests, deciduous environments and coniferous forests. (Ref. 7)