€100,000 - €500,000

The Braid Burn is a highly urbanised watercourse that has been significantly modified to improve drainage. Prior to re-meandering of the Braid burn, it was constrained in a narrow, brick-lined channel with little character, offering a poor habitat and possessing low species diversity. The restoration work reintroduced diversity to allow natural morphological and ecological processes to take place (ref. 2). A new wetland habitat was created, along with a flood storage area. It was a small component of a wider flood alleviation scheme by the City of Edinburgh (ref. 1).

Love Square is a combination of nature and wildlife with a social space for residents and workers. The area has wildflower meadows, lawns and a mini wetland lined with bird-friendly trees (ref 2). Love Square is one of the examples of a new type of ‘smart’ -urban eco-park, combining nature and wildlife with artworks, social and activity spaces. It has a ‘Rain Garden’ and mini wetland that will soak up excess rainwater. It is a prime example of ‘water-sensitive Urban Design (ref1). The rain garden is designed to provide essential urban “greening”; increased soil and vegetation coverage will be able to soak up extra rainfall after a storm, will help to reduce the danger of flash flooding (ref 5).

There are various projects under the Den Grønne Kile initiative or the Green Wedge. The Green Wedge passes through all 4 subdivisions of the new district Aarhus K, and has a building percentage of 25% within the boundaries of the "wedge". (Ref. 3) Citizens are invited to contribute with green projects through the municipal innovation project "Green Citizen" (Grøn Medborger). (Ref. 1) The first and most prominent is a park created by citizens on an old railway track. The park has the nickname 'Kilen' and is a new city park for everyone, including upcoming residents and companies in the new district 'Aarhus K'. The park helps to promote the creative energy in the area and is in line with the development of the new district; it differs from the other city parks in Aarhus by offering space for many different activities and temporary projects that give life to 'Kilen' and make the trip along the railway track an exciting experience. (Ref. 1)

The petrol station is a result of a long-term project of MOL, called as the “The petrol station of the future”. The designers created a building with excellent thermal insulation, green walls, a green roof, solar panels, rainwater utilization and an alternative heating system. Even the interior of the building was created with as much environmentally friendly materials as possible. The building uses LED lighting only to save energy. These environmental efforts resulted in Energy savings of more than 50 percent, and the neutralization of 10 tons of CO2 gas emissions. (Reference 1)

The "Green Play City", a nature experience park on 4,500 sqm exists since 1999. Initiated and administered by the non-profit organization "Wissenschaftsladen" (short WiLa), it combines nature experience and recreation for kids and grown-ups with education about the environment and nature-based design while also serving as a place for social interactions through intercultural events (3,4). The initiative "Raus aus'm Haus" aims at expanding the educational and participatory component of the Green Play City. By closely collaborating with schools and kindergartens on options for related on-site workshops, project days or open-air classrooms will be explored and conceptualized (1).

The project aims to create a floating swimming pool on the Odra river, similar to a floating pool in Berlin. The pool would serve as a meeting place and the recreational area, but also as an impressive architectural and floating artwork. The pool would consist of three modules: a relaxation zone; filter module, composed of suitable plants responsible for clearing water straight from the river; and the pool/swimming area, filled with filtered water from the river. The pool should be mobile - made in such a way that by conventional means it could move within the urban waterfront [1].

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 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 current intervention involves restoration of Bohrova park in the city district of Petrzalka with the implementation of water conservation measures (9).

The revitalisation of the park Gaštanica Koliba in Bratislava Nove Mesto is intended to stop the degradation of its ecosystem, preserving existing vegetation while improving the local climate and efficient use of rainwater. Over 100 trees were treated, including some of the local population of chestnut trees. A local seepage pit was installed to retain water both to the benefit of the local vegetation as well as to prevent erosion and landslides. The park has also been fitted with recreational facilities and is now illuminated to improve its accessibility for the local population. (7, 8, 9)