Health and well-being (SDG 3)

Funded by the ERDF through the financial instrument JESSICA, the aim of the ecopark is to compensate for the tree felling during the construction of the second rowing canal by the river Maritsa, provide a natural place for recreation, and restore the ecological stability of the area. This is accomplished by restoring elements of the natural habitat in the river and the land nearby: trees, terrestrial and water plants, and small islands.
(Ref. 1; Ref. 2)

The intervention will be carried out in the Zen neighbourhood, as part of an overarching project which includes the care of green areas and plantation of new trees in the parks, especially those close to public schools. There will be 11 specific areas of intervention within the Zen neighbourhood. In addition, it is underlined the specific service provided by those new areas, such as the positive impact of the green view, the mitigation of effects such as urban pollution and human impact on the environment. (Ref.1.)

The Climate Friendly Gardeners Project is based at Windmill Community Gardens in the Bobber’s Mill area of Nottingham. The project teaches local residents about sustainable gardening practices in the context of the climate change affecting the UK, through a renovated community allotment garden.”
(ref 1, 2)

Allotment gardens have a long tradition in Hannover, with approximately 20.000 gardens stretching around the city as a green belt. In the last decades, some gardens were threatened by disappearance due to investment interests (Reference 1). With the goal to protect these gardens, the city employed a so-called "Kleingartenkonzept" (allotment concept) in 2016 with the help of the association of allotment gardens (Bezirksverband Hannover der Kleingärtner e.V.). The concept aims to keep the number of existing gardens for social and ecological considerations while allowing for new residential investments which is vital for the growing city. (Reference 2).
As part of the concept, extensive inventory examinations were conducted on areas affected by conversion and restructuring, along with the start of implementation of smaller development projects for housing and the creation of replacement gardens in some areas. Because the need for residential spaces has been covered for until the end of 2019, the conversion of allotments for the said land use has been stopped; it will be revisited in 2024. (Reference 2)
To address the problem of future allotment garden losses, gradual elimination of permanent vacancies has started by creating new smaller and more attractive gardens from oversized ones, by improving accessibility and optimizing spaces, and by modernizing allotments (Reference 2).

The project RUIS (Riqualificazone Urbana Infrastrutture e Sicurezza), stands for the regeneration of urban infrastructure and safety. The initiative is carried out by the municipality of Palermo, in order to improve the urban resiliency of the intervention area, with the creation of further green areas in neighbourhoods dealing with problems of heatwaves and environmental degradation. The main areas which will be the focus of the regeneration process will be those considered to be in degradation state. It is expected that the quality of life of the residents will significantly improve (Ref.1.).

The Belvoirpark has its origins in the 19th century and is one of the oldest landscaped gardens in the region. Set on a beautiful location close to the lake with views of the city and the mountains, the Belvoirpark has retained its specific topography with large level differences and exotic trees. Since the twenties, Gastrosuisse operates here a Hotel Management School with an upscale, publicly accessible restaurant. The former school building was spatially and functionally not integrated into the parkA huge transformation of the Belvoirpark area was done to make the park more green from 2004 – 2015. The transformation of the area around the new construction of the replacement building allowed a reappraisal of the previous situation. (Ref 1)

It is one of the most famous parks in the city. A re-design is offering the opportunity to make use of the full potential of the place and to put it back into the public’s focus – as a place for recreation, a park, a promenade and Zurich’s very own, most central urban park. An urban square was formed, representing generosity and offering space for multiple functions. A gateway from park to courtyard during the daytime, the mirroring water surfaces of the illuminated pools, and the annex’s reflecting façade create the atmosphere of a grotto at night (Ref 1).

The Bahlui river was prone to floods especially during spring and autumn and as a result of the fact that for almost 40 years there has been no work for the decolouration and sanitation of the river and the industrial enterprises in the county have discharged polluting substances in water (mainly nitrogen and phosphates), Bahlu River has become a polluted river. In addition, some citizens of Iaşi have discarded waste in its bed (especially in peripheral areas). In 2011, a larger project funded by the EU, implemented the regularization of the river. (1)

An ongoing extensive expansion of park Lauta in Plovdiv has been carried out. The primary nature-based means used in the project is tree planting. However, animals were also introduced to the habitat. The project aims at creating a suitable place for recreation, purifying the air of Plovdiv, and enriching the park's fauna (Ref. 2; Ref. 3; Ref. 7).

Renovations were conducted on Bayard Street, an artery in Toulouse, between 2016 and 2017 Rue Bayard, in anticipation of the arrival in 2024 of a new metro station and the complete overhaul of the Matabiau district (Ref. 10). Renovations included introducing vegetation to the commercial street leading to Matabiau station (Ref. 5) and its newly renovated city centre via planting 81 trees (44 pear trees and 37 hazel trees of Byzantium) (Ref. 2). Furniture was also added and sidewalks were widened for greater pedestrian comfort (Ref. 2).