Last updated: October 2021
A local government-led project of the renaturalization of the part of the Weser river shore. The initiative aimed to restore part of the river bank to its natural state and to create habitats for the typical local flora and fauna. Additionally, a sand beach for the public was created. The project aimed to increase biodiversity, increase the river shore protection and water management, as well as to improve public access to the recreational area at the water and the attractiveness of the river landscape (Ref. 1, 2, 5).
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Lakes/ponds
- Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Flood protection
- Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
Focus
Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas
Project objectives
The goals of the intervention:
1) To renaturalize the river shore and to create habitats for the typical local flora and fauna;
2) To improve the experience and attractiveness of the river landscape;
3) To increase biodiversity;
4) To create a sand beach and a lively and attractive space for walking, playing and resting;
5) To improve the possibilities of nature observation and access to the river water;
6) To protect the shore from severe erosion by the waves (Ref. 1, 2, 5).
Implementation activities
Restoring the river bank structures by measures: 1) The section of the river between Fuldahafen and Hemelinger Sporthafen to be redesigned at a length of approx. 100m to a natural sand bank with a flat slope; 2) Developing a near-natural river bank in the area of the "Landzunge", with the terrain above the changed water zone to be removed on a width of approx. 100 m; 3) Creation of a 130 m long bank strip with flat water zone; 4) Creation of a natural sand beach; 5) Removing the existing, fortified bank structures (stone bedding) above the middle tidal low water line; 6) Clearing the natural sandy soil layers and converting them to near-natural sand banks with shallow water zones (Ref. 2, 3, 4). "The measures in Hemelingen were carried out in February and March of 2012; the restructuring in Habenhausen was implemented in 2014. Half of the costs were defrayed via funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and the remainder from sewage fees." (Ref. 5).
"This measure aimed for the following: reinstatement of links between floodplains and the Weser federal waterway; hydromorphological improvement; making the area conducive to tourism and municipal recreation. To this end, 650 meters of Weser riverbank were renatured in the Bremen Hemelingen area and a link was established between the Weser and its floodplain. The Lake Hemelinger peninsula was planed down and watercourses were created that run through it" (Ref. 5).
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Renaturalization of rivers and other water bodies
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Unknown
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The renaturation of the right shore of the Weser river in Bremen-Hemelingen between Fuldahafen and Sporthafen as well as Lake Hemelingen was planned and implemented by the planning group grün gmbh as part of the project "Lebensader Weser" (WFD) on behalf of the Bremischen Deichverband. The project was supported by the local Department of Environment, Construction and Transport and co-funded by the EU (Ref. 1).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Yes
(Within the scope of the "Lebensader Weser" program launched by the State of Bremen, the renaturation projects were financed as a priority measure for the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive, inter alia by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).(4))
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(The initiative is a part of the project "Lebensader Weser" (WFD) (Ref. 1).)
Financing
Total cost
€500,000 - €2,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- EU funds
- Public local authority budget
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
- Other
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Water management and blue areas
- Increased protection against flooding
- Improved stormwater management
- Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Reduced biodiversity loss
Economic impacts
- More sustainable tourism
Socio-cultural impacts
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Planungsgruppe grun website,'Renaturation of Weserufer Fuldahafen / Hemelinger lake' (Renaturierung Weserufer Fuldahafen / Hemelinger See). Available at: Source link (Website not available in 2020).
2. Source link, (2012), 'Summer feeling with sand beach' ('Sommergefühl mit Sandstrand'), AVailable at: Source link (Accessed: October 19, 2020).
3. Source link, Janz, L., (2012), 'The Hemelinger Weserufer is being renaturalized' ('Das Hemelinger Weserufer wird renaturiert'). Available at: Source link (Accessed: October 19, 2020).
4. .Source link, 'Lebensader Weser - Bremen'. Available at: Source link (Accessed: October 19, 2020).
5. Renaturalization of the Weser river - project description, ('Renaturierung Weserufer zwischen Fuldahafen und Atlas-See'). (Document attached).
6. Umwelt Bundesamt (2015). Water Framework Directive: The Status of German Waters 2015. (Page 101). Available at: Source link (Accessed: October 19, 2020).
2. Source link, (2012), 'Summer feeling with sand beach' ('Sommergefühl mit Sandstrand'), AVailable at: Source link (Accessed: October 19, 2020).
3. Source link, Janz, L., (2012), 'The Hemelinger Weserufer is being renaturalized' ('Das Hemelinger Weserufer wird renaturiert'). Available at: Source link (Accessed: October 19, 2020).
4. .Source link, 'Lebensader Weser - Bremen'. Available at: Source link (Accessed: October 19, 2020).
5. Renaturalization of the Weser river - project description, ('Renaturierung Weserufer zwischen Fuldahafen und Atlas-See'). (Document attached).
6. Umwelt Bundesamt (2015). Water Framework Directive: The Status of German Waters 2015. (Page 101). Available at: Source link (Accessed: October 19, 2020).