Health and well-being (SDG 3)

A restructuring of the National Park of Athens is being done from the last few years to revitalize one of the tourists' attractions in the city. The restructuring is mainly focused on the conservation of animal species found in the park. The project also aims to transform the park into a meeting point for culture and sports as well as activities including workshops, yoga, pilates, music, theater, tours and educational games for kids (Ref 7). The park contains a duck pond and a small zoo. In addition to this, it opened a botanical museum and a library for children for educational purposes (Ref 1,2,3). The project was planned to carry out in two stages. In the first stage, Athens will tender a 2.9 million euros upgrade of the infrastructures, and a study that is budgeted at 370,000 euros for the restoration of the Garden’s zoological park, botanical museum, the famed Roman mosaic area, and restoration of the Herod Atticus wall. The second stage concerns restoration of the Garden’s flora and removal of damaged shrubbery (Ref 6).

The intervention included the renovation of lake Jarun and its surrounded park and recreational centre. Efforts were made to improve the amenities at the lake and park in order to bring it closer to the citizens, particularly to disadvantaged groups. It provides facilities for walking, bicycling, various outdoor sports, trim-track of 6500 meters of length, roller skating, etc. Sports facilities are related to an impressive 2250 meters long regatta path where international and world rowing, canoe and kayak contests are held. With daily training and performances, they give Jarun a special, sporting atmosphere (Ref 1, 2, 3, 4).

Lake Rusalka is one of the key elements of Kasprowicz Park, which is a popular recreational area in Szczecin. The shoreline between the Summer Theater and the Japanese Bridge is an attractive stroll. The project aims to improve the functionality, attractiveness and aesthetic value of the coastline and an island on the lake. It envisions going back to the historical tradition of the boats rental as well as includes plans for the revitalization of the part of the shoreline, creation of the Japanese gazebo on the island and construction of mooring berth [1]. In 2020, the project was still on the waiting list in the city’s participatory budget distribution. Local authorities expect its implementation to take place by 2022, the earliest [6].

The project was about restoration of the Aarhus river. The river was piped during the 1930s for hygienic reasons and to give space for road infrastructure. In 1989, the city decided to resurface the river. The river acts as a green and blue corridor running through the city centre. Furthermore, The City Council approved a plan for the recreational vision of the Aarhus River and e.g. flood prevention measures have been taken. (Ref. 1, 2, 3) The Aarhus Å project was completed in the years from 2006 to 2013. (Ref. 15)

Before the intervention, the dam was a derelict former industrial and recreational area. (Reference 6) It was transformed into a green recreational park of the southern part of Budapest. 40,000 square metres of grass was laid, 700 trees, 20,000 shrubs and 20,000 perennials were planted. (Reference 4) The park now is a home to a biodiverse population of wild birds. It is one of the few places of the city that have direct connection to the Danube, giving space for strolling, doing sport, playing and relaxing. In 2018, a large-scale development began next to the dam, with the aim of creating a new city center. This would make the park a place for leisure for much greater number of people, but may be detrimental to the ecosystem of the dam. (Reference 6)

The initiative aims to ensure open access to the river Regalica for the local community and to create a multifunctional recreational area there. Given current spatial development plans, the chosen location is the only feasible solution to facilitate public access to the river. The project will address multiple NBS domains as its plans include: building new water stand, fishing place, and an observation deck, developing an ecological and educational path along the riverside, developing recreational spaces for the community including outdoor and cultural activities. The project relates to the long-term brand strategy of the city: ‘Szczecin floating garden 2050’[1]. The architectural plan was accepted and put forward for the implementation in 2019; currently, in July 2020, the project is still in the planning phase [4].

The Bohnenback Park project was one of the first urban redevelopment measures in Bielefeld and was opened its gates for the public in May 2017. The park is the combination of blue and green areas in the Bethel district. It was created by exposing the Bohnenbach stream which previously had been piped and been flowing underground. The park consists of free, bright spaces and lawns with few individual groups of trees. Along the naturally meandering course of the brook, there is a long, north-south oriented promenade, which also forms the backbone of the park. It separates the neighbouring buildings from a parking lot while also connects the Bethel district to its surrounding areas via a green corridor favourable for recreation (1, 7).

Opened in 2019, the René-Dumont Park which runs adjacent to a railway is "a centerpiece of the urban composition of the Nouveau Saint-Roch neighborhood" in Montpellier. (Ref. 1 and 2). This north/south 1.2-1.3 ha vegetation corridor represents a major of the city's urban renewal plan and "allows a great articulation among existing habitats, infrastructures and a contemporary neighborhood" (Ref. 2). The large area is considered to be exceptional for dense urban centres (Ref. 2). "The Nouveau Saint-Roch district is an example of a social, generational and functional diversity" (Ref. 2).

In 2009, the city of Montpellier launched a large census project to valorize its abandoned areas. The study gives guidance on the management of abandoned areas in Montpellier, particularly in connection with environmental education and awareness objectives (Ref. 2). The strategy aims to preserve and promote the natural heritage of Montpellier; promote wastelands as reservoirs of biodiversity, tools for connecting natural spaces; protect and enhance the great green flows accompanying watercourses (biological links and privileged sites for fauna and flora); and develop a network of soft transport throughout the city based on the green network (rivers, agricultural, natural and park areas) (Ref. 4). "The spaces have been classified according to their context, their origin, their potential. This sometimes subjective typology presents a classification of the wasteland and makes it possible to take a particular look on each land. Surfaces of all shapes and sizes fall within this operational classification." Four Experimental projects include: Zenith Friche, Promenade of the Lironde, Pastourelle, Combemale" (Source: uploaded document).

"The Lez is a small Mediterranean river 28.5 km long, born from a karstic exurgence whose supply zone extends north of the source, over more than 150 km2. The “Le Lez” site was proposed in February 2001 because of the presence of several species and natural habitats protected at European level. The designated part concerns the upstream course of the Lez river, its riparian forest and associated agricultural environments. Covering an area of ​​144 hectares, the area stretches over 14 km from the Lez sources in Saint-Clément-de-Rivière to the Concorde bridge, in the town of Montpellier" (Ref. 4). Strong economic and demographic development near Le Lez implies urban pressure on peripheral sectors, particularly north of Montpellier where many residential areas are developing. The river became protected thanks to the "Natura 2000 European network" which aims to reconcile human activities and the conservation of biodiversity on the basis of the main principles of sustainable development (Ref. 4).