Achieved impacts

The project relating to the waterfront of San Girolamo di Bari is an important piece of the mosaic that provides a new design for the entire city waterfront, from North to South: Santo Spirito, Palese, (precisely) San Girolamo, the connection between Bread and Tomato and Torre Quetta, temporary uses on the San Giorgio waterfront, up to the redevelopment of the South promenade. The project which is almost completed, regenerated the seaside part of Bari, making the seaside accessible and link the city with the coastal area by creating a multi-functional space where playgrounds, a cycling path and green open spaces were built to enhance the liveability of the area. In this way, what was previously considered just as an economic and working part of the city became a new center of social interaction by creating a new institutional green space. (Ref.1, Ref.6).

The city of Clermont-Ferrand has 2 sites of family gardens, located at rue Robert Lemoy and rue du Château des Vergnes at which they have installed on a total area of 40 216 m², 172 parcels leased to, mainly, Clermontois residents in apartments without gardens. The gardens are a true place of life for gardeners where families and friends may meet and share convivial moments. Inscribed in a practice respectful of the environment, the gardeners and their cultivations turn toward a kind of agriculture that expects from each gardener an eco-responsible behavior in the production of food (Ref. 1).

The park has been upgraded to include newly planted trees and shrubs, a meadow, children playgrounds, sitting areas for adult visitors, a wooden footbridge, and a water retention pond which collects rainwater from the roofs of nearby houses. The aim of the project was to establish and restore near-natural vegetation in the urbanized area, enhance biodiversity at the site, handle rainwater in a smart way, and provide a place for recreation (Ref. 2; Ref. 3; Ref 4). Additional restorations have included the creation of barbecue areas for gathering and cooking, and events are hosted at the space as well (Ref 8). Through voting, wider park expansions have also been approved (Ref 9).

The Kersentuin (Cherry Garden), an environmentally, socially and economically friendly community in Leidsche Rijn, an urbanization-from-scratch area in the west part of Utrecht, has been founded and developed by the residents themselves. The area is very popular and is seen as an interesting best practice in ideal green neighbourhood developments (ref. 4). It is a sustainable neighbourhood which integrates technical and social sustainability by building sustainable houses and creating public green spaces that promote biodiversity and social cohesion. The main characteristic of the Cherry Garden is the self-management of the green spaces which is achieved by gardening days. The project was innovative at the time of implementation and inspired many other projects (ref. 1).

Coventry City Council's 'Public Realm Scheme' included a shared space scheme at Gosford Street. Work included newly planted trees, and landscape areas as well as an enlarged and improved pond. The project was funded by Coventry University and the European Regional Development Fund. (Ref. 1-4)

In an effort to improve the Holásecká lakes for both recreation and local natural conditions, the revitalization project has modified areas on the shores of the Holásecké lakes reconstructed culverts between the lakes, and removed the panel which fortified the Opleta and Lávka lakes (Ref. 4). The largest restoration activity includes removal of mud from the lakes (which can be repurposed due to low contamination) for the sake of ecologically restoring the area (Ref. 4). Plans also include improving recreation by installing wooden piers and developing a paved footpath with benches (Ref. 1). The ecological restoration will be important for wildlife, especially birds and amphibians (Ref. 8).

A temporary new pocket park in Bishop Street. "Previously the plot had been boarded off since a 2009 fire led to a row of shops and takeaways being demolished. The park has been created to improve the derelict land on the corner of Bishop Street and Well Street before any future developments and is part of the second phase of city centre improvements following work which included transforming Broadgate and the station to Bull Yard link." (Ref. 1)

The project focuses on the development of a sustainable, social and ecological park that promotes citizen participation (ref. 2), which is one of the largest city parks in the Netherlands. It combines various blue-green infrastructure elements (ref. 1). The park includes recreational facilities, a butterfly garden and special constructions that provide habitat for species. The Máximapark runs largely on volunteers and the citizen participation is the outstanding character of the development of the park (ref. 2).

La Tiretaine is a river in Clermont-Ferrand which, in the past, was harnessed to run underground in order to address hygiene concerns and create more land for construction and industrial purposes (Ref. 5). Rehabilitation efforts have been made throughout the city in order to 'renature' the river. Efforts include the creation of a small park along the river near the school Saint-Alyre in 2008 (Ref. 1) as well as a vision to develop a park surrounding a section of the river by 2026 (Ref. 4).

“The Hub, a new purpose-built student building (at the heart of the Coventry University campus) was designed to enhance the student experience, i.e. offers space to meet up with friends or study informally.” The building also includes a number of green credentials such as: ground source cooling from a borehole on-site; natural ventilation; grey water harvesting (rain water for the toilets); solar water heating and a green roof.” (Ref. 1)