Social cohesion

The Naturfreibad Haunstetten is an artificially designed bathing lake in the south of Augsburg with a water surface of 9,200 m² and a maximum depth of four meters. After the regeneration of 1,5 hectares of green space surrounding the lake, the baths were reopened in 2010 (Ref. 1).

Until the 1990's Bidston Moss was a landfill site and was "unsafe for public access", thus giving a negative impression (close to several residential areas). Restoring work begun in 1995, and in 2006 development started in Bidston Moss through a Newlands scheme: including new features and landscape enhancements to “unlock the full potential” of the area (“as a valued and well-used community woodland for local people and wildlife.”). (Ref. 1, 2)

The project was started by a group of local people with the aim of turning a barren piece of land into allotments. The aim was to benefit residents/members of the public by growing their own (local) food (and learning e.g. how to grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers for wildlife as well as bee-keeping). 29 allotments were created. (Ref. 1, 2, 3)

Hillyfields Community Park is situated in the Ward of Gillingham North in Medway (ref. 1). It is an open space with some remnant orchard. This space was in an area with high social deprivation and unemployment and was improved between 2005 and 2009 to include natural play elements, better accessibility, host community projects and recreational facilities, and be a safer space (Ref 1, 3).

'Proeftuin Erasmusveld' is a new and sustainable urban residential area in The Hague. It will be a new nature-inclusive, energy-efficient, car-free neighbourhood that is created for plants, animals and people promoting healthy living (1). As of November 2020, The building of the neighbourhood with its unique houses and buildings is still in progress (1).

Currently, the area is an 'experimental area' for all kinds of sustainability initiatives that may be used for the realization of the neighbourhood, including self-sufficient 'tiny houses' and urban farmland (1,2). The ambition for Erasmusveld is to become a leading sustainable neighbourhood with a sustainable water system, the use of sustainable energy and a vegetable garden with high connectedness between citizens (4).

Slachthuisplein in the Hague, a large public grey square was transformed into a green ‘oasis’ which provides recreational facilities for adults and a playground for children. The citizens and children were involved in the design of the green square and the initiative was selected by the municipality as one of their climate change adaptation measures as it stores stormwater. (1,2,5).

The Environmental Conditioning Project of the surroundings of the Contraparada (Murcia) intends to environmentally recover one of the most emblematic cultural places in Murcia while enhancing a social and educational use of the area. The project intends to recover and regenerate the river ecosystem, which has practically disappeared and make it easy to visit and to contemplate. This intervention includes the creation of the infrastructure of education and research purposes. It is part the first of a four steps project to recover La Contraparada as a natural and cultural location (Ref 1).

The 'Painting The Town Green' project worked in urban and suburban areas of Medway, Swale and Thanet. They improved or created green spaces in these areas, adding color and enhancing biodiversity together with locals from many different backgrounds. They specifically worked with schools, nurseries and community groups to improve neglected environments. The project aimed to increase participants' well-being as well as leaving improved spaces for local communities to enjoy (ref. 1).

The municipality of Catania has promoted an initiative that involves schools and non-profit associations, for which available space for urban gardens and horticulture has been provided. The main aim was to regenerate areas which were used abusively as landfills and for criminal activities. What will be produced must strictly conform to the principles of sustainable production, by using biological products and 0 environmental impact techniques. (Ref.1.)

Birkenhead Park is one of the most important public parks in Britain. It is registered Grade I in English Heritage’s Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. In 2002 to 2007, funding was made available to restore the park, and now in 2017 a master plan aims to further “enhance and secure” the park. (Ref. 1, 2, 3). Birkenhead park is considered the first publicly funded park in the world, and not only holds the Grade I in English Heritage’s Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest award but also the Green Flag award. (Ref 6, 7, 8)