Achieved impacts

A part of the Translink Biodiversity Project, the garden will support a wide range of native wildlife and plant species as well as enhance pupils’ learning experience. (ref 2). The children of An Droichead will gain a new understanding of the environment around and a biodiversity community garden that could be used by the children and local community as an integral learning resource. (ref 1)

A new wildflower meadow has been created at a new estate on the outskirts of Belfast. The Mount Eagles Drive Action Group held a wildflower planting event with two local Colin primary schools, namely, Christ the Redeemer and Our Lady Queen of Peace to provide a unique opportunity for children to learn about nature, and, in particular, how wildflowers are an essential part of our landscape, enhancing the biodiversity of our native insect, plant and animal species. (ref1) Pupils from Christ the Redeemer and Our Lady Queen of Peace schools spent a morning planting a wide variety of wildflower plugs and seeds in the Mount Eagles wildflower meadow, under the expert supervision of highly trained horticulturalists. (Ref 3)

On the territory of the former train station Vohwinkel (including the train tracks) a brownfield site of 15 ha was turned into a commercial urban area which was created as an economic driver for Wuppertal. However, the site was inhabited by the highly endangered sand lizard, which is why a species conservation island was created as the commercial park was being built. As a habitat of the endangered sand lizard species, the conservation area in the South-West of the commercial park remained free from construction development, and an adequate conservation concept was elaborated and implemented. The nature conservation area is maintained by the environmental protection department of the city. (Ref. 1 and 6). The project succeeded in its goal of creating a commercial area on the former Vohwinkel marshalling yard while simultaneously paying attention to the protection of the endangered sand lizard. (Ref. 2) Additionally to the conservation area within and around the commercial zone, lizards have also been relocated beyond the city limits as a biodiversity offsetting measure. (Ref. 8) Furthermore, the dried out Krutscheider stream, forming part of an important biotope system with its gravel surfaces, was dug out again to serve as a green corridor for compensation against the habitat loss. (Ref. 1, 4 and 6)

Woodland project is a council project to improve woodlands. During the last 50 years, “lifestyles have changed, leading to a change in the state of the woods”. The result is that the trees are ageing, becoming overgrown with dominant species and losing their wildlife. The woodlands in Reading need work to protect them (for future generations) and the council has therefore produced a Woodland Management Plan in partnership with the Forestry Commission. The plan aims to manage 18 sites of woodland in Reading and implementation of these plans will involve benefits for e.g. the wildlife and community. (Ref. 1, 2, 4)

The Heinickeplatz in the Muggenhofer Strasse and its peripheral areas are being upgraded as a new green area in accordance with the objectives of the city redevelopment plan. The new landscape design for the Heinicke Square was developed in dialogue with local citizens through planning workshops followed by the opportunity to vote for one of the 4 landscape bureaus who applied for the reconstruction of the square. (1, 2). The implementation of the plan began in 2019 and is expected to be completed in 2021. (4) The implementation will include the plantation of new trees, grass, the creation of sports areas and the establishment of a new playground. (2)

Offord Road community garden is a place for the residents of West Reading (i.e. those who live, work, go to school in the area). Reading Borough Council set up the community garden (i.e. the green space) at the Oxford Road end of Western Elms Avenue through a grant called ‘Section 106’ (thus giving the site back to the community in 1996). (Ref. 1, 2, 7)

Pegnitztal West is a new corridor and recreation zone along a section of the Pegnitz river in Nurnberg suitable for all kinds of social groups and intended for recreational activities (1). The project instrumentalizes green and blue infrastructure for creating conditions for sport, leisure, and recreation, as well as serving a transitional function for the dwellers of the neighboring Gostenhof and St. Johannis districts (1). The green corridor also provides a protected urban habitat for various species, including more than 8 different tree species, water bats, green woodpeckers and swamp warblers. The project also stabilized the water level of the river and helps flood protection efforts. (2, 7)

‘Colorieten Hof’ is a community garden in which vegetables, herbs and flowers are grown sustainably. The garden is a social meeting place for elderly, neighborhood citizens and female immigrants who can learn Dutch and about Belgian culture (Ref. 1, 3).

In 2017, Park Service of Portsmouth City Council has introduced a new approach to its annual 'In Bloom' campaign, aiming at increasing urban biodiversity, promoting pollinating insects and making the city more colourful (1,5).
As part of the initiative, 15 wildflower meadows have been created with information boards at various spots in the city including parks, gardens and schoolyards as well. Planted seed mixes had been carefully tested and selected to fit the local environmental conditions, including native species and promote pollination (5). The campaign has been appreciated by citizens and visitors of the Urban Meadows (5).
The urban meadows are planted as a part of an annual campaign (3)

This intervention was a proposed citizen project to connect the southern districts with Murcia by converting the abandoned railroad tracks into a green corridor. The intervention aims to transform the abandoned space into a green mobility corridor for various forms of transportation, from public buses to bicycles, and for pedestrian and leisurely use as well. (Reference 1 and 2). In 2019, there was the opening event to show this Green Corridor's construction, which is now the longest in the region.