Enabling opportunities for physical activity

On November 5, 2019, the Committee for Urban Development and Technology passed the building decision for the riverside park Austraße - Neckarterrassen. To the north of Münster, the Neckar has cut deeply into the shell limestone and describes a wide arc on the Prallufer. There is little space between the cliff and the river - that is what makes this place so special. This is where the Austraße riverside park is being built with the elements Freienstein water playground (element 1), Neckarterrassen and Tapach-Link (element 2) as well as Austraße, Neckarufer and Neckarstrand (element 3). The first component has already been implemented: children will find their favorite spot on the Freienstein water playground south of the Max-Eyth-Steg. Students from the Elise von König School in Münster contributed their ideas as part of a child participation program. With the second component and its sub-projects “Tapach-Link” and “Neckarterrassen”, there are beautiful prospects for Münster: Those who have overcome the relay to the Neckarterrassen can rest in the shade and let their eyes wander up and down the Neckar. The third component of the Austraße riverside park - in addition to the Freienstein water playground, Neckarterrassen and Tapach-Link - focuses on the banks: podiums and platforms are planned on the river to linger while the freighters transport their goods on the water. Insects, small crabs and small fish find optimal living conditions on the renatured bank zones with stones and diverse flora. (1, 7).

This NBS is part of a national campaign that was first implemented in 1936 and it deals with an entire month through which local authorities alongside public institutions proceed at plant a large number of trees. The action was resumed in 2008. The Forest Month, how it was named initially, has been over time an opportunity to raise public awareness of the importance of forests, and their essential role in maintaining ecological balance. The current name - Planting month Tree- is regulated by the Romanian Forest Code. (1)

The Liège Expo 2017 Masterplan was developed for the city of Liège, as part of their bid to organize the International Expo of 2017. In this plan, the Expo was not just an exciting stand-alone event, but rather the start of a sustainable transformation and an ecofriendly future of the city. The proposed development on both banks of the River Maaswill aimed to create new access to the river and improve the quality of life and the sustainability of the city, all at the same time (Ref. 1). While Liege was not awarded the 2017 Expo, the decision was made by the City to continue the competitive dialogue procedure initiated with a view to developing the Coronmeuse site into an eco-district (Ref. 12). Construction was launched in 2020 (Ref. 14).

The project provides some improvements in the first part of the itinerary of the Navile river. In particular, it focuses on the restoration of the green system and the recovery of historical-architectural components in the area stretching between the Park of Villa Angeletti, the ancient village of Corticella and the municipality of Castel Maggiore. Restoring the route along the canal is the first step in an ambitious retraining hypothesis that sees Navile and its rich cultural and environmental heritage as the privileged axis for the recovery and development of the adjacent urban area (1).

A new park was created through funding from the ERDF, as part of initiative “Building a Green and Accessible Urban Environment in Plovdiv”. The aim of the project was to provide a place for recreation and to help minimize the density of grey infrastructure in the central part of the city. Activities involved planting trees, as well as many shrubs and flowers. (Ref. 1)

Four hackberry trees were planted in the courtyard of the social center "La Grande Bastide". Children were involved with the support of the association "Aux Actes Citoyens" (in english"Act Citizens"). The planting of the 4 trees by the children was done with the support of animators/leaders (who work at the Social Center and animate diverse activities at the center), Karine Lurcin, president of the association "Aux Acts Citizens" as well as several members of the association. (Ref. 1). The Social Center of the "Grande Bastide"(non-governmental organization) was behind the idea, stating that: "It is the idea of ​​the center to have the children do the planting. We will surely be inspired by it for future actions", and, "from today, [the children] will always associate the earth with a particular and positive emotion: pleasure" (Ref. 1).

The revitalization of the Saski Garden in Lublin in 2013 restored this space of local heritage historic character and cultural significance. Revitalization works included: cleaning and maintenance of existing trees and plants, planting extensive greenery, ICCTV and open access to wi-fi in the area of a renovated amphitheatre, revitalization of walking paths and ponds, small architectural elements like benches and a playground, and rainwater sewage system and a fountain [1,3,7].

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Cymru’s Giving Nature a Home in Cardiff aims to engage thousands of children, their families, and local communities with Cardiff’s wildlife, enabling them to take action for nature (ref 9). To do this, the project provides free outreach sessions in nurseries, early-years settings/schools, and primary schools across Cardiff to help children discover the wildlife in their school grounds. To reach families, nature-based activities are held. Finally, the project supports communities to help improve and manage pollinator-friendly Urban Buzz sites across the city (ref 9).

“Balne Lane Fields are an area of land close to the city centre of Wakefield. The site comprises of an area of nine hectares, which includes a former landfill site that has been restored to open green space. Part of the site is within a flood zone (Balne Beck).” “The field is popular with the local population for informal recreation. The potential to improve the variety of recreational uses, ecological value and environmental quality together with its links to both local communities and strategic greenspaces make it an important piece of green infrastructure in the City of Wakefield.” (Ref. 1)

The project aims to preserve the river ecosystem and provide a suitable place for social life by the river. For the purpose, only natural materials will be used in strengthening the basin. Part of the activities include planting grass and natural vegetation in order to boost the ecosystem, including tall plants that provide shelter and a nesting place for birds. The area under work will cover 10.6 kilometres of the urban part of the river (Ref. 1).