Flood protection

A project of the local government developed with EU and federal funds that aimed at the development of the green and beach area in the course of the refurbishment of the flood protection system. The initiative sought to provide a model project for urban flood protection, which can showcase that flood protection measures do not require a separation between city and water and new recreational spaces at the water and shore can be created instead. The project involves redevelopment of the shore area, enlargement of the public space at the shore with additional sand deposit and greenery planting (Ref. 1, 2). The bank area with a beach and recreational facilities opened in May 2019 (Ref. 5).

The renaturalization of the water canal Hirtenbach project was part of the larger city-wide initiative that aimed at the naturalization of different parts of the city's drainage system including small trenches and streams. The initiative aimed to decrease the risk of floods, improve the water quality, protect the local flora and fauna from the pollution, as well as provide for an additional recreational area for the citizens. (Reference 1)
In 2000, natural remodelling or the creation of near-natural structures began in sections. A 20, 000 m3 retention basin was also built. These actions improved flood protection and ecology of the area, and it provided local recreation opportunities. However, a study conducted in 2014 revealed that the restoration measures brought positive changes, but it was not enough to achieve a “good water status” defined by the European Water Framework Directive. Intensive care from silting and lush plant growth, wide margins, and the reduction of nutrients coming from the drainage and agriculture, need to be addressed. (Reference 2)
A new landscape is expected to be created when the alder trees grow. Waterbirds and waders, as well as insects like dragonflies, bees, butterflies and crickets, have been observed in the area (Reference 3).
The large drainage system of the city of Hannover includes many small trenches and streams with a total length of 152 kilometres. The intervention in Hirtenbach involved renaturalization worked on the total length of approximately 10,5 km (of which 3,3 km in the urban area). (Reference 2)

The project "Sustainable Support Program for Greening Buildings and Minimizing the use of space using the example of Hanover" was established jointly by BUND (Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland) and the state capital of Hanover. The goal of the project is to transform as many barren house walls and dull grey roofs and asphalted areas into green oases throughout the city. Since May 2013, all house and landowners, housing associations and building communities have been able to apply to the BUND for a subsidy for green roofs and facades. On 2017, the project was expanded to include unsealing of areas like inner courtyards, driveways, etc, thus creating new green areas. Advice on the correct greening measures and on professional unsealing have been also offered by BUND.
The project is funded by the state capital of Hanover, the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU), the Sparkasse Hannover and by proKlima. The "Green Hanover" funding program will end on December 31, 2020. (Reference 1)

The Sea's Corridor is a project that created green spaces with good quality that act as green belts of the city while serving as a support for the sustainable and not motorized means of transport. It was part of a project Plan called "Plan E" of the Municipality of Palma (Ref 1). The project was completed and in 2020 there are plans to do some renovations. They want to join the Sea's Corridor to Platja de Palma, as well as create new green spaces with a wider link with the ocean (Ref 5).

The project is a close-to-nature maintenance concept that combines the diverse usage requirements in public green spaces and the promotion of biological diversity through near-natural care. (Reference 1) It aims to promote biodiversity in the area through the plantings of local trees, installation of deadwood stacks, dry stone walls and boulders, which will help in the increased interconnectedness of the green areas and provide for structured habitat for the local species. The initiative also involves development of ecological standards for the handling of green spaces in the country, such as natural care practices that will protect local biodiversity (e.g. adapted mowing regime for lawns, flower meadows). (Reference 1, 2)
The "Urban green - species-rich and diverse" project is a cooperation project of the alliance "Municipalities for Biological Diversity eV" (Alliance) and the German Environmental Aid eV and with the participation of the five partner municipalities Frankfurt am Main, Hanover, Wernigerode, Kirchhain and Neu- Response. The project is funded in the Federal Biodiversity Program by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety. The experiences and results of the pilot project are further incorporated into the maintenance requirements for public green spaces in the urban area in other municipalities (Reference 1, 7).

In 2015, the municipality of Białystok restored the riverbed of the Biala river to its natural state. The project addresses the rapidly changing climate and atmospheric conditions which cause more frequent storms by improving the water management in the city. The city reconstructed the old riverbanks, built two ponds for retention, which serve as reservoirs and tanks to stop and distribute the excess water [1,2].

The project revitalized two old ponds – previous industrial and derelict area – and created two new ponds on the Marczukowska street in the city of Bialystok. The investment in its current shape is a tourist attraction and a valuable ecosystem for birds and amphibians. The project resulted in the increase of biodiversity in the area (additional ponds for the breeding of amphibians, two nesting islands not accessible to the public), and more effective management of the local water resources (cleaning and deepening of ponds, restoring an outflow for the excess water directly to the Biała river). Finally, it is a popular place with publicly open educational trails and bicycle paths [2,3,4].

To test the newly developed Green Factor Tool for the City of Helsinki, with a focus on water management, two test sites (ätkäsaari pilot block and the three model yards in Kuninkaantammi) were created at residential blocks in Jätkäsaari and Kuninkaantammi. The tool itself is an Excel interface that calculates the quantity and quality of the city's green spaces per unit of area, It is part of the larger iWATER (integrated stormwater management) project (Ref 2). Specifically, after testing it on these two pilot sites, it is to support land use planning processes by providing a way to account for the quantity and quality of green space. The project aimed to analyze the cost-benefit of implemented sustainable stormwater solutions, compile stormwater-related planning tools as well as increase and strengthen the capacity of cities to work with stormwater issues (ref. 2).
One of the key objectives of developing the green factor method was to create green urban environments that have social value. Also, functionality was the second most important and cityscape (or landscape value) was the third most important category in green factor scoring.

Kuninkaantammi is a new energy- and eco-efficient residential district by the Vantaa River and Helsinki’s Central Park that is in the construction phase with a dense urban design, consistent with the ecological, experiential and community requirements of modern housing. It will become a climate-smart neighbourhood for 5,000 inhabitants. Environmental factors have already been noted in the zoning of the area, and energy efficiency guides the design and building processes.
Kuninkaantammi will be a pilot project for stormwater runoff management in Helsinki using green infrastructure. The construction is ongoing (2013-2025). Management of storm waters in the area will be carried out through natural methods (ref. 1, 11).

The city of Wuppertal participates as a model region in the joint research project SAMUWA which aims at developing planning instruments which combine urban drainage with urban and open space development measures. With regards to the work package C.1: open space design strategies for a water sensitive city, one focus area and proposed measure, namely the "Varresbecker" flood channel is of special interest since it has been subject to comprehensive implementation plans in Wuppertal so that its implementation can be expected in the next years (Ref. 1, 2, 4 and 5). Alongside the water channel, a recreational area will be created with information to raise awareness about water management issues and climate change. (Ref. 2)