Social cohesion

The project is a close-to-nature maintenance concept that combines the diverse usage requirements in public green spaces and the promotion of biological diversity through near-natural care. (Reference 1) It aims to promote biodiversity in the area through the plantings of local trees, installation of deadwood stacks, dry stone walls and boulders, which will help in the increased interconnectedness of the green areas and provide for structured habitat for the local species. The initiative also involves development of ecological standards for the handling of green spaces in the country, such as natural care practices that will protect local biodiversity (e.g. adapted mowing regime for lawns, flower meadows). (Reference 1, 2)
The "Urban green - species-rich and diverse" project is a cooperation project of the alliance "Municipalities for Biological Diversity eV" (Alliance) and the German Environmental Aid eV and with the participation of the five partner municipalities Frankfurt am Main, Hanover, Wernigerode, Kirchhain and Neu- Response. The project is funded in the Federal Biodiversity Program by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety. The experiences and results of the pilot project are further incorporated into the maintenance requirements for public green spaces in the urban area in other municipalities (Reference 1, 7).

The project focused on the creation of a rooftop community garden located near a metro station in Bilbao that aims at educating the residents of the neighborhood on how to grow vegetables, how to eat healthily but also offers free practice hours for every person that wants to have their own plot. The project was initiated by the Bilbao's Center of Innovation, a center that aims to contribute to the economic, strategic and solidarity development of the Municipality of Bilbao (Ref 1).

In 2015, Bilbao City Council launched a pilot project of municipal urban gardens in the district of Rekalde. These urban gardens aim to improve the quality of life of residents by promoting a healthy lifestyle within the neighborhood. Additionally, the municipal urban gardens support a broader initiative to create ecological connectivity across the city’s Green Belt, by linking forest parks with urban parks. (Ref 1)

The author of the project (visualized, not completed) designed a recreation area for youth from schools, dormitories and people interested in need of horticultural therapy in one of the school courtyards in Białystok. The project would involve revitalization and modernization of the school’s courtyard to adapt it to the needs of people with disabilities and adequately manage the greenery around. The garden would allow for therapeutic work with plants, art therapy, and activities that support the mental and physical health of the participants [1,3].
In 2015 the project was in envisioned and pitched only, but it did not receive funding from the participatory budget of Białystok.

Ametzola is a neighborhood of Bilbao District 7 located on the left bank of the Bilbao estuary. In 2005 the construction of a park began since the neighborhood was seen as being alienated from other quarters of Bilbao and solicited a regeneration and integration into the urban life of the city. (Ref 1)

Tallinn implemented a community-based action plan for urban development in the Paljassaare conservation area, aimed at raising cattle on the Paljassaare peninsula, creating community-based beauty and vegetable gardens and restoring a wetland and lakeshores (ref. 3). The Paljassaare area several protected areas required active intervention in the form of care. The management of urban animals had the following objectives implemented: Paljassaare Wetland Complex Restoration; maintenance of a mosaic semi-natural habitat based on conservation values; updating protection regimes and organization; modern visitor arrangement based on protection values ​​and visitor intensiveness (ref. 2).

Extending from Kalasadam to the Noblessner quarter, the beta-promenade is a simple footpath along the seaside (from the fish market of the Fishing Harbor to the port town of Noblessner), created by removing fences, opening up gates and fortifying the shore. (ref 1) It is a project for public space creation in Tallinn Seaside by Linnalabor, where the seafront area is heightened in the public interest (Ref 2)
The beta promenade was made by filling an old, impassable landfill on a sometimes bumpy and fenced-in, but sea-view and spacious footpath, opening the old gate of the Patarei Fortress wall and marking the nearly two-kilometre shore route (ref. 1).

The civil society association "Permaculture vorm Eichholz" has made it their agenda to turn a since 2016 abandoned farmhouse into an experience-based, educational, co-design space around the concept of permaculture which is an ecologically inspired design concept for creating resilient and durable agricultural areas while maintaining the diversity of cultural and natural habitats. The farm, which was established in 2017, promotes alternative cultivation methods and energy concepts via seminars and workshops and constitutes an experimental lab for interested citizens who can implement their own ideas or even take over responsibility for parts of the farm they develop and cultivate themselves (Ref. 1, 2, 3). The leaders of the project also plan to implement a sustainable energy concept, with the goal of making the farm self-sufficient in it’s energy consumption by producing renewable energies in a variety of ways. (Ref. 9)

Kuninkaantammi is a new energy- and eco-efficient residential district by the Vantaa River and Helsinki’s Central Park that is in the construction phase with a dense urban design, consistent with the ecological, experiential and community requirements of modern housing. It will become a climate-smart neighbourhood for 5,000 inhabitants. Environmental factors have already been noted in the zoning of the area, and energy efficiency guides the design and building processes.
Kuninkaantammi will be a pilot project for stormwater runoff management in Helsinki using green infrastructure. The construction is ongoing (2013-2025). Management of storm waters in the area will be carried out through natural methods (ref. 1, 11).

Weaver Square Community Garden started in May 2011 on a derelict site owned by Dublin City Council. The site contains the Community Garden and 28 individual allotments let out by the council. The main focus of the Community Garden is to create a safe and relaxing green space for all to use and enjoy. The organizers hope in the future to have more emphasis on the garden as a learning experience, with open days & workshops and other related talks. Dublin City Council has given notice that Weaver Square Community Garden and 27 family allotments are to close at the end of 2018. (Ref. 1; Ref. 2; Ref. 3)