Enabling opportunities for physical activity

In 2017 the City of Bari provided funds to citizens and non profit associations to promote the regeneration of an abandoned area. Eventually an area of 4500 sqm was rehabilitated and the authorities plan to extend the area until the green space reaches 10,000 sqm. Among the planned interventions are the maintenance of greenery and trees, as well as the redevelopment of the side wall that borders the buildings. For the 4500 sqm intervention which was designed by the local community and migrant volunteers, the first multifunctional furniture was built at Bari. It was made with recycled wood, stones, fabrics and lots of goodwill during the natural architecture laboratory.The NBS allowed to have a green area where different activities were implemented such as green and educational laboratories. Also a shared gardening project (in order to promote the importance and the culture of preserving green areas) and social labs were organized(promoting school and sport activities outdoors). (Ref.1, 2, 3, 4)

"The garden was created in 2012 with the Parenthesis Association. The association closed in 2015. In January 2016 a group of gardeners decided to create a new association to continue their garden, that is when the gardens of Fontgiève were born. In the garden one discusses, one shares, one exchanges, one helps one, one gives oneself advice. The garden produces much more than vegetables and fruits; Ideas germinate there, sharing them is collective intelligence" (Ref.1).

In light of the LIFE P.A.R.C. project, the NBS here presented consisted in the restoration of the fluvial and ecological continuity of the Magra and Vara rivers in the Montemarcello-Magra Regional Natural Park. The intervention implemented the removal of artificial barriers blocking the water continuity currently affecting biodiversity conservation. In the meantime, several activities implemented focused on restoring the area along the stream with the creation of walking paths and the use of signs to spread environmental awareness about the key habitat provision services of the area (1).

The primary goal and function of the 29,000 square metres large park in Győr-Adyváros is to provide an accessible, modern sports park for all ages (Reference 6). Before the intervention, the area was a green public park, but the renovation added many sports facilities such as running tracks and water fountains along with the existing urban nature (Reference 1). New plants were added to the existing old trees and a Photinia hedge was planted around the park, which is rare in public spaces (Reference 6). A fence has also been added. As part of the intervention, three football pitches, a basketball court, a running track, a playground, a park for retired people and a building serving the fitness park were also implemented. In 2016, an outdoor gym was added to the park, co-financed between the municipality of Győr and Audi Hungaria (Reference 3).

Bog Meadows is the last surviving remnants of the river Blackstaff's floodplain, which originally extended over 1,000 acres (Ref 3). This is an urban oasis composed of a mosaic of wetland, meadows, ponds, woodland, shrubs, and stream (Ref 1). It situated at the heart of Belfast City and is the last large area of the Blackstaff floodplain that has not been developed. The area is an important site for both breeding and overwintering birds(Ref 3). The Bog Meadows Enhancement Project aimed to improve the access, grazing infrastructure, and overall appearance of the site. It was hoped that cattle grazing will encourage wildflowers to attract insects, birds etc. (Ref 2).

The intervention concerns the regeneration of the neighbourhood Liberta, which is actually in a state of decay. The Gasometro, renamed Maria Maugeri park is one of the few green spots of the area, and the municipality decided to invest 2 million € in the regeneration process. The park was renamed after one of its promoters and advocates, Maria Maugeri passed away suddenly. The project expects the creation of a public urban park (within an area lacking of green spaces) with several activities, such as a cycling path, restaurants, playground for children, sport infrastructures. The overall plan is the result of an announcement promoted by the Council of Ministries of the Italian parliament (Ref.4.)

The Forest of Belfast is an imaginative label for urban tree initiative launched in the 1990s with the aim of conserving and managing existing trees, increasing the planting of suitable trees, particularly in places of public access like parks, and in promoting an interest in and an appreciation of trees and forestry(Ref 3). The project was officially launched in June 1992 (Ref 1). It is active throughout the urban area of Greater Belfast, including Belfast City. It brings together partners from the statutory sector, voluntary groups, businesses, and individual residents who become volunteer Tree Wardens. It shows how urban forestry can forge partnerships between central and local government, environmental organizations and city dwellers. (Ref 1). Forest of Belfast initiative was wound up towards the end of 2010 (Ref 6).

The Sowe Valley Project was a community-based project focusing on rivers restoration. It aimed to link the local community with the Sowe River Valley and to improve the valley’s biodiversity and habitats for the benefits of people and wildlife. (Ref. 2, 6, 11-13)

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 Environment and Me project (TEaM) is operated by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and CWMind (Coventry and Warwickshire Mind) and supported by Coventry City Council. (Ref. 1) It is an ecotherapy-based project which aims to enhance mental health and wellbeing. (Ref. 1, Ref. 2). It provides opportunities for outdoor activities at allotment sites, gardens, woodlands, parks and nature reserves – giving people some much-needed breathing space in the fresh air, whilst learning new skills, meeting new people and giving back to nature.” (Ref. 1)