Health and well-being (SDG 3)

Belfast is located within the River Lagan Catchment and is at risk from flash floods caused by storm water unable to drain away into the combined storm and sewerage network. The Local Development Plan will facilitate the development of green infrastructure resource or ecosystem services such as the green wedges in Lagan Valley Regional Park (ref 2). Lagan Canal is one of the emerging partnership projects to produce plans to restore and revitalise the Lagan Canal corridor. The river Lagan and the canal is an asset for the city, and for the wider region (Ref 1).

The project created a friendly green recreation area for the elderly in the neighbourhood where there is a lack of spaces dedicated to the elderly. The plans involve the revitalization of a neglected square, plantings assorted greenery and preservation of the existing trees. The NBS should foster physical activity and social inclusion of the elderly residents in the neighbourhood, as well as to lead to the revitalization of the district and improved standards of living [1,2].

The initiative aimed to create a layout of flowers and perennials in the green belt at Ogrodowa Street in the urban area where historically gardens were located. The initiators also took care of the existing tree crowns. The project has created a green enclave in the very heart of the city, a place for walking and relaxation. It has improved the image and increased the attractiveness of the area. The local community is involved in planting and maintaining the flowerbed [1,2].

"Walking pathway located on the banks of the river of the Arc which flows to the south of the city. It follows the meanders of the river and includes games for children, a fitness trail, meadows in the shade of tall trees that border the stream. It covers an area of 10 hectares." (Ref. 1)

In order to improve the Indian Neighourhood, a 'ribbon' of multiple pocket parks was created that improves social cohesion and environmental quality. The area lacked social cohesion previous to the creation of the pocket parks and was faced with nuisance from addicts and drug dealers as they were involved in disturbing behaviour, vandalism and criminality (1,10). This created an unsafe environment for the inhabitants of the neighbourhood (1,5) In the stamp parks, social activities are organized and the green spaces are completely managed by citizens themselves. (1)

The "Sunderland North Community Allotments" project aimed to clear and renovate derelict allotment plots, remove fly-tipping and rubbish and transform the site into brand new resources for local people. The project is expected to increase people’s knowledge of growing healthy produce and aims to enhance their diet whilst improving the amount of exercise and time spent in a green space. The project has been implemented in multiple areas including but not limited to Fulwell, Primrose, Thompson Road, Shields Road, High Southwick, Fulwell and Waterworks Field, Shields Road. Very recently, one of the allotments in Fulwell Mill got destroyed by a devastating fire. (Ref 1, 9 and 10)

Grace House is a charity that provides care to children with disabilities. The staff has created a Sensory Garden and a fruit and vegetable patch to improve the neglected surrounding area. The project is seen as an opportunity for local people to engage in gardening activities as well as a source of health, social and learning benefits. Volunteers have been involved in the execution of the project (Ref 1).

'Blok 54' is a new building on the city island IJburg in Amsterdam, on which a green roof and rain garden were be created in which stormwater can flow from the green roof through a groove with diverse vegetation, reflecting a natural creek. The vegetation with fruit bushes serves as a sensory garden for poly handicapped children and the creek flows into bioswales through which can slowly infiltrate. Blok 54 can thereby be considered an ECOcity-garden. (1,3)

Grangetown is the site for a flagship environmental programme to tackle flood risk and water waste (ref 5). This scheme catches, cleans and diverts rainwater directly into the River Taff instead of pumping it over 8 kilometres to the sea. It will make Grangetown a greener, cleaner place and enhance local biodiversity (ref 2). Every year more than 40,000m³ of rainwater is diverted from entering the combined sewer network (ref 1). Interventions include planters, swales, bio-retention ponds, permeable paving and curb drainage, making use of the existing streetscape. 108 rain gardens have been created, and 130 trees have been planted; the area has been deemed the 1st "bicycle street" in Wales (ref 8). Wider benefits include education, health, well-being (ref 1).

The Tineretului Park is a special vegetation and touristic area, a forest park stretched over an area of ​​over 60 hectares, on the left bank of the Jiu River. It was rehabilitated in 2009 by the municipality and it is the second-largest park in the city. Before its rehabilitation, it was seen as a dangerous area, high in petty crimes. Its rehabilitation was also much needed since Craiova is one of the Romanian cities with the lowest number of green spaces (1,2) .