Utility companies: water, sewage, etc.

The creation of the AGOA Sanctuary was first envisioned in 2006, officially established in 2010, and continues to evolve as a vital initiative for marine conservation. Located in the waters of the French Antilles, the sanctuary encompasses the entire Exclusive Economic Zone of Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint-Martin, and Saint-Barthélemy. Spanning 143,256 square kilometers, it is the second-largest marine protected area in France, just behind the Coral Sea Natural Park in New Caledonia.
AGOA was established to ensure a favorable conservation status for marine mammals, aiming to protect both the species and their habitats through a combination of direct and indirect actions. The sanctuary’s long-term strategy is grounded in five core principles: reducing harmful interactions between human activities and marine mammals; enhancing scientific understanding of these species, their habitats, and the pressures they face; increasing public awareness and disseminating knowledge about the sanctuary; strengthening collaboration with governmental agencies for effective surveillance and enforcement; and fostering regional cooperation with Caribbean nations under the Cartagena Convention and its SPAW Protocol.
Together, these guiding principles reflect AGOA’s commitment to sustainable stewardship of marine biodiversity in the French Antilles, creating a lasting sanctuary for marine mammals in the Caribbean. (1, 2, 3)

The Ecological & Citizen Restoration Project in Carbet, led by ASSOMER, supports the city in sustainably developing its coastline. This coastal area serves multiple purposes—recreational, economic, and subsistence—making it essential to include the voices of its key user communities: fishermen, restaurateurs, residents, and tourists.
However, both these uses and critical spawning habitats are increasingly threatened by coastal erosion, which is worsened by urbanization. Beyond reducing nesting areas, urban expansion also creates light pollution, which disrupts nesting females and hatchlings that rely on moonlight reflections to navigate.
This project was selected during the inaugural Biodiversity Lottery, a French government initiative inspired by the Heritage Lotto (established in 2018). The funds will be dedicated to protecting Carbet’s turtle population. Key efforts include reforesting the beach to combat erosion and creating new nesting spaces for turtles.
By restoring vegetation in a way that addresses multiple environmental challenges, this initiative aims to raise public awareness and ensure long-term coastal preservation. (1,2)

In 2012, PRZHT (Pôles Relais Zones Humides Tropicales) initiated Project REMA, an effort dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of ponds in the Antilles, with backing from the IUCN. Wetland ecosystems in Martinique and the Caribbean had long been overlooked. However, interest in these habitats grew after PRZHT introduced an interactive virtual tour of Antilles ponds in 2019. Project REMA emerged in response to local concerns about the lack of technical resources for pond restoration in the French West Indies. While similar initiatives had been undertaken in France, there was no specific guide tailored to this region. Though originally conceived in 2012, the project remained dormant for several years before fully launching in 2019. Between 2019 and 2021, restoration experiments were conducted on 12 ponds across Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Saint-Martin, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive technical manual.
Building on this success, REMA II was introduced in January 2024 with a three-year scope. This new phase will focus on restoring and maintaining 80 ponds, both public and private, in Martinique and Guadeloupe. Additionally, it will address the management of invasive species and incorporate eDNA analysis to enhance conservation efforts. These small wetlands play a fundamental role in flood regulation, water storage, pollutant filtration, erosion control, and carbon absorption. They also provide refuges for biodiversity and contribute to the resilience of territories in the face of climate change.
(1, 2, 3)

To reduce the risk of urban flooding, the city of Seville, through its metropolitan water company Emasesa, established several "sustainable urban drainage systems". One of the pilot locations is on the Avenida de las Ascociaciones de Vecinos, where a rain garden complemented by an infiltration zone was established. The main aim of the project is to reduce the risk of flooding, but the system can also improve the urban landscape by offering green space, preventing desertification and reducing pollutants carried by runoff [Ref. 1-4]. After implementation, the project was shown to be effective during heavy rain [Ref. 5]. The system can store up to 34 m2 of water and reduce flow rates to the sewage network by 69 % and the total runoff to sewage by 93 % [Ref. 3-5]. The project was initiated and led by Emamesa, while two different companies were employed to design and construct the system [Ref. 1, 2, 6, 7]. The total budget of the project, which also included some renovations of grey infrastructure along the street, was 165000 EUR [Ref. 1].

Located between the Rotes Rathaus, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße, Nikolai Quarter, Spreeufer and the television tower, the old founding centre of Berlin is one of the capital's most important urban open spaces. This open space between the TV tower and the Spree is being redesigned on the basis of an international open space planning competition and many years of public participation. With further development, this touristically significant location in the historic centre of Berlin will undergo a climate-resilient redesign and upgrade with great design and functional quality. (Ref. 1)
The listed areas of the Rathausforum and the Marx-Engels-Forum will in future be connected to form a continuous ribbon of open space that runs from Alexanderplatz to the Spree. Central areas will be unsealed and green spaces will be created that can be used in a variety of ways, which will also be attractive places to spend time and improve the microclimate. Trees and shrubs will be planted on already existing and new green areas. The aim is to respectfully consider the numerous visible and hidden historical references and at the same time transform the site into a sustainable urban open space that combines a high quality of recreation, sustainability and culture. Next to plants, a new rainwater management system is being implemented that stores rainwater and uses the created green spaces to evaporate water. Playgrounds and a water fountain are further additions to a new recreational area. (Ref. 3; Ref. 4; Ref. 5)
The project is characterized by a years-long participation process. Around 10.000 citizens participated in feedback rounds, workshops, dialogues, and information sessions in which they could voice they wishes and ideas for the area. The project is implemented and organized by the state-owned company Grün Berlin, which engage with various stakeholders since 2015. Preparations for the construction start in late 2024 and the project is expected to be finished in 2030. (Ref. 5; Ref. 9)

The Far West Detroit neighborhood faces significant challenges with its aging infrastructure. The neighborhood’s stormwater and sewer systems are combined into a single system that is only capable of handling a limited volume. During heavy rain events, the system's capacity is exceeded, causing excess stormwater and untreated sewage to overflow into the Rouge River, which negatively impacts the environment (Ref. 1).
Detroit is investing $40 million in a transformative stormwater management system in the Far West neighborhood near Rouge Park. Described by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department as the largest project of its kind, it will redirect 98 million gallons of rainwater and snowmelt into two new detention basins and a renovated sewer system. The new wastewater system is expected to significantly reduce water volumes in Detroit’s combined sewer system during heavy rainfall and to provide flood relief for approximately 1,200 homes that have experienced flooding in recent years. This expansion, informed by community feedback, marks one of the city's most notable investments in green infrastructure to improve its overextended wastewater management system.
The project has been planned through extensive studies and community coordination since 2016, with construction set to occur in three phases, extending through 2026. Crews broke ground on the South Basin, North Basin, and sewer overhaul in July 2022, and progress is reportedly on track. In addition to the basins, the stormwater management initiative includes neighborhood improvements to enhance recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Planned enhancements in Rouge Park will introduce wetland spaces with native flora, creating greener, more inviting areas in the community for residents to enjoy (Ref. 2).

The Fenkell Stormwater Project in the Brightmoor neighborhood of Detroit is an initiative led by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) to mitigate the impact of heavy rain events on the local sewer system. By transforming 92 Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA) parcels into 24 bioretention gardens, the project aims to significantly reduce street flooding and basement backups in the area. These gardens, spread across approximately 50 acres of mostly vacant land, utilize permeable soils and landscaping techniques to absorb excess rainfall, which helps prevent the overloading of the city’s combined sewer system. This is particularly important in reducing combined sewer overflows (CSOs), which occur when the system's capacity is exceeded during heavy rains, leading to untreated stormwater and sewage being discharged into the Rouge River.
The project is expected to manage and treat about nine million gallons of stormwater annually, making a significant impact on both the neighborhood’s infrastructure and the environment. In addition to the bioretention gardens, the project includes the partial removal of Blackstone Street between Keeler and Midland streets to further enhance stormwater management.
Community engagement has been a critical component of the project, with residents of Brightmoor and Minock Park participating in meetings to share their preferences for the types of trees, plantings, and other features. The DWSD will maintain the gardens under its Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) program, which already includes 19 other similar projects across the city. The project is currently in the construction phase and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, modernizing Brightmoor’s stormwater infrastructure and providing long-term environmental and community benefits.
(Ref.1-3)

The Fairy Garden, also known as the WOW Recreational Park, is a distinctive green space located near Diósgyőr Castle in Miskolc, Hungary. Since its opening in April 2020, the park has quickly gained popularity, earning third place in the 2020 Tourism Attraction of the Year award in the professional category. Once a neglected and polluted site with historical significance, the area was transformed by a local entrepreneur. After removing over sixty containers of waste, including hazardous materials, a park was created that harmonizes with the natural environment, preserving existing willow trees and integrating water features fed by local streams. When creating the park, the creators respected the plants of the area to the maximum, not a single tree was cut down, and the fruit trees were also kept.
The park boasts various decorative elements, including a carousel, a garden cinema, and other amenities. However, in September 2021, it was closed indefinitely for renovations. Gábor Vaszil, the lessee who had rented the land from the Miskolc municipality, intended to purchase the property for further development. Despite initial support from the local government, the transaction was halted due to concerns raised by the regional Water Management and Protection Authority regarding the protection of Miskolc's drinking water resources. Their ongoing investigation has delayed any further decisions about the sale or the future of the park. In the meantime, the garden remains open to the public for leisurely walks, similar to other municipal parks in Miskolc.
(Ref.1-4)

The environmental and public space recovery project around the Bazurto Market in Cartagena is a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing the severe environmental degradation and chaotic urban conditions in this vital area of the city. The Bazurto Market, one of Cartagena's most important economic hubs, had experienced increasing levels of disorganization, pollution, and public health risks due to the encroachment of informal vendors and improper waste management (ref 1,2,5). The primary goals of this project are to restore the ecological health of the Caño de Bazurto and the Ciénaga de las Quintas, enhance the quality of public spaces around the market, and improve the overall urban environment (ref 1). Project activities included removal of waste from the surrounding water bodies, installation of protective barriers along the Ciénaga de las Quintas, and the planting of trees to revitalize green spaces (ref 3,4). Emphasis was placed on planting of a variety of tree species, such as Guayacán Amarillo, Ceiba, and fruit trees like níspero and mango. These efforts were concentrated in areas around the Bazurto Market, where green spaces had been neglected or overtaken by informal commercial activities. The project also included the restructuring of vendor locations and public spaces to reduce congestion and improve the flow of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic (ref 5). Educational campaigns were conducted to encourage better waste disposal practices and enhance community involvement (ref 1).

On the site of a former malthouse in Berlin, a company has developed a sustainable rainwater storage system to prevent flooding in the sealed environment, which had been vacant for several years. Once used for malt production, the site is now home to offices, studios, manufacturing businesses, and hosts sustainable events. The site's transformation includes natural gardens, tenant gardening beds, green roofs, and two outdoor water basins that retain rainwater, creating a blue space for recreation. (Ref. 1)
The two ponds are filled with filtered rainwater, and an underground tank stores additional water, allowing it to seep away gradually. Native plants surround the ponds, creating a habitat for local wildlife. Given that much of the surrounding area is sealed, the ponds help mitigate urban flooding by managing and storing rainwater, reducing the site's reliance on the urban sewage system. Additionally, as Berlin faces extreme heat in summer, the project offers a cooling effect and provides access to filtered water during droughts. (Ref. 1; Ref. 2)
The project is managed and financed by IGG Malzfabrik mbH, which oversees the entire site in Berlin's industrial area and rents out office spaces to various companies. This initiative is part of a broader sustainability strategy that addresses social, economic, and ecological factors, and it is featured in the company’s common good economy report (Gemeinwohl-Ökonomie Bericht). (Ref. 5)