Habitat and biodiversity conservation

Recreation and Educational orchards were created as part of the Miraflores Park interventions and rehabilitation. These orchards were available for public use and had educational programs where the children would learn and cultivate the land. The Orchards were formed of four separate programs: Huertos Escolares (School Orchards), Huertos de Ocio (Leisure Orchards), Educational Itineraries, and Youth Greenhouse. (Ref 4)

"Kvillebäcken is the first urban district in Gothenburg built according to the new environmental demands. Traffic and buildings will be adapted to a more environmentally sustainable community, where no inhabitants will be dependent on transport by car. Housing and commercial buildings will meet strict demands on energy balance, indoor environment, healthy materials, protection from noise and moisture, greenery in the courtyards and surface water management. New environmental technology solutions will be used in the district, such as the efficient collection of household waste and covered bicycle parking. New solutions will also meet strict demands on economic and social sustainability." (Ref. 1)

The conservation of agricultural activities allows for the preservation of the landscape for all, with the possibility to offer to Milaners a place of leisure, tranquility, nature and tradition within the city, where to taste - also while tasting the products of the earth - what is the the Milanese agricultural world. It is located in the South West of Milan, within the Parco Agricolo Sud, in an area between the two Navigli, the Grande and the Pavese (1).

The Allotment Gardens in Oslo are a part of the Norwegian Allotment Garden Association (NKHF). The allotments were created throughout the 1900s, and are still maintained to this day. The allotments within the NKHF aim to contribute to better life quality and a better childhood for children growing up in urban environments. They also act as “green lungs”, and provide an important resource for the city and the local environment. There are nine different allotment areas in Oslo, consisting of both private allotments and community gardens.
(Ref. 1)

The University's Botanical Garden is part of the National History Museum of Oslo and acts an important green space for both citizens and regional fauna. The Garden was founded in 1814 and is the oldest scientific garden in Norway, which through research, education and plant conservation seeks to increase public awareness of the importance of plant diversity. The Great-Granny's Garden is an important element in the Botanical Garden, aiming to preserve Norway’s horticultural heritage and prevent traditional fauna from disappearing, while encouraging sustainable use in future horticulture. The Garden also act as a sensory garden for people with dementia. (Ref.1,2)

The ReLambro project is based on a metropolitan view where nature becomes an occasion for regeneration of the city: the river is no longer an empty and abandoned space but draws a great ecological and environmental system. The interventions, during the design phase, provide for the restoration of the naturalness of large sprawling areas, the reinforcement of the hedges and rows and channels system, the reorganisation of public and fruiting functions in areas at risk of flooding. The project strengthens ecological function by integrating it with urban functions (2).

The rain gardens of the Great Mosque give an example of a sustainable urban drainage system built 1000 years ago (Ref.1,8,9). The Great Mosque is a world heritage site by UNESCO (Ref. 1); therefore the rain gardens are protected and will continue to provide a sustainable irrigation system needed for the arid climate of Andalusia (Ref. 8,9).

The Sotos de la Albolafia Natural Reserve is situated on a section along the Guadalquivir River, that runs from the Roman Bridge to the San Rafael Bridge (Ref. 3,14). It was declared Natural Monument in 2001 and is part of the Network of Protected Natural Areas of Andalusia (RENPA) due to its wide variety of birds (Ref. 5,15). "The declaration recognized the environmental value of the Sotos de la Albolafia, a singular natural enclave located in the urban center of a large city, in a monumental and historical environment also unique and with an unparalleled concentration in protected species, especially water birds and wetlands." (Ref. 3)

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)

Østensjøvannet is a nature reserve covering an area of 539 acres, which includes both the water body and certain parts of surrounding land. It was established in order to preserve the important wetland area and its associated vegetation, bird and animal life significant for the region. In June 2002, Oslo municipality went further and created the Østensjøvannet Environmental Park, which covers 1187 acres of land and water. The park aims to further protect and strengthen the area, which is one of the most popular recreation areas of Oslo, and acts as an important area for research and education. (Ref. 1, 7)