The Urban Nature Atlas is a collection of more than 1000 inspiring nature-based solutions from European cities and beyond.
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Key challenges
Nature-based solution
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Mangrove Ecosystem: Community environmental awareness
Monrovia, Liberia
The Mesurado mangrove forests, which is the focus point of the intervention, covers an area of approximately 6,760 hectares. It is situated within Montserrado County, around Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia, West Africa. It is surrounded by 38 human settlements some of which are regarded as slums. The area is currently one of those five Ramsar (Iranian city wherein 1971 was signed and ratified the Convention on Wetlands) designated sites in Liberia and a home of three species of mangrove that stands at the point of extinction due to human encroachment. (3) Adding to this, the area is used as a colossal waste dump, and, in cases, for cutting of mangrove trees for fish drying. In addition to the huge species richness of the area, it also serves as a habitat and breeding ground for marine species and provides a number of important ecosystem services. This intervention seeks to address the issue of ignorance on the part of the communities about the importance and benefits of mangroves in communities within and around the Mesurado wetland. As it is a soft measure project, the main implementation strategy includes a series of educational episodes through a system of religious conservation awareness and education and alternative livelihood options for the communities engaged. (1,2)
Mangroves Restoration for Climate Adaptation
Quelimane, Mozambique
Quelimane is a port city in Mozambique. It lies below sea level right alongside the Good Signs river (Rio Bons Sinais), and just a few kilometres from the coast. The frequent extreme weather phenomena such as rain and marine flooding render the city extremely vulnerable to climate risks. In 2013, the municipality concluded that one solution involves restoring large areas of mangroves, which act as a nature-based solution against flooding, helping to stem the tide by preventing soil erosion. In the past mangroves were cut down by the locals for building and cooking but now with the help of the municipality and local communities, the trees are restored and used as the first line of defence against climate change (1).
Marshes protection in the Laguna of Venice
Venezia, Italy
LIFE VIMINE is a project that aimed to define and apply a new type of integrated approach to the management of the territory, based on the erosion protection of the most indigenous barns and marshes in the Laguna of Venice. These unique habitats are rapidly disappearing due to natural processes and human impacts of varying nature. The project has contributed to repair and protect salt marshes borders as soon as erosion starts, build micro soil bioengineering works that are able to absorb wave energy, reduce erosion, promote sedimentation with a low effort and cost and improve coastal resilience and protection (1).
Mary Ellen Welch Greenway
Boston, United States
The Mary Ellen Welch Greenway (previously East Boston Greenway) is a mixed-use pathway and linear park built on a former rail corridor" linking several parks in the neighbourhood and also connecting the East Boston district to the beachfront (1, p23). In the 1950s after the Consolidated Rail Corporation stopped using the railways, it became a derelict dumping ground. To the initiation of a local community organisation with the collaboration of governmental authorities, the redevelopment of the area has started as a rail-to-trail conversion program. When completed, the Greenway will link several important open green spaces in the East Boston neighbourhood, increase the acres of park per resident in the area, provide a place for recreational activities and direct greenway to the Boston Harbor (1). Furthermore, with water management amenities the area would serve as a buffer zone in case of flooding by barricading the waterfront. (1)
Máximapark
Utrecht, Netherlands
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).
Medway Green Grid
Medway, United Kingdom
The Green Grid aimed to link urban and rural neighborhoods with a network of quality green spaces and corridors of landscape, recreational and ecological value. The aim was to achieve the added benefits by managing open space resources as a set of linkable sites rather than in isolation. It was a planning intervention that was focused on connecting a high quality, functional green space network (Ref 1). The intervention was part of "Greening the Gateway Kent & Medway" (Ref 2).
Melcul Verde Teaching Garden
Iaşi (FUA), Romania
This NBS was developed in 2015 by the Romanian Association of Permaculture in order to bring nature and its benefits in the middle of the city. The approach was to implement a vegetable garden in a high school in Iasi located in a quarter dominated by building blocks. The implementers had in mind to reconnect children with nature, to present to them the organic process of how food is produced and to teach them basic occupational skills (1)
Mersey Forest - Liverpool Mab Lane
Liverpool, United Kingdom
The Mab Lane Community Woodland was planted on a former playing field at Mab lane and Croxdale Road West in Liverpool. It is a part of the larger Mersey Forest initiative which has been increasing the amount of woodland and green spaces across Cheshire and Merseyside since 1991.
The new woodland which has a network of native trees, wildflower meadows a community orchard as well as seasonal wetland areas and footpaths, was officially opened by the local community in 2010. It also includes new pathways for walkers and cyclists and areas for family picnics (Ref. 2, 10). Mab Lane Community Woodland is a partnership project involving the Forestry Commission, Northwest Development Agency, Mersey Forest, Big Lottery, Riverside Group, Liverpool City Council and the Local Community (Ref. 10).
The new woodland which has a network of native trees, wildflower meadows a community orchard as well as seasonal wetland areas and footpaths, was officially opened by the local community in 2010. It also includes new pathways for walkers and cyclists and areas for family picnics (Ref. 2, 10). Mab Lane Community Woodland is a partnership project involving the Forestry Commission, Northwest Development Agency, Mersey Forest, Big Lottery, Riverside Group, Liverpool City Council and the Local Community (Ref. 10).
Metrobosco Project
Milano, Italy
This is a pilot project part of the strategic plan "Città di Città" in the Milano province, launched in 2006 by the Direzione Centrale Risorse Ambientali, by the Parco Agricolo Sud Milano and by the Multiplicity.lab of the Politecnico di Milano. The project consists in the realisation of a green ring surrounding the city for an extension of 30.000 hectares (15% of the metropolitan area). The ring will connect a series of green areas already existing in the city. The project will insert a total of 3 million new trees along different areas of the city (2). The "metrobosco" is described as: a green belt made up of new forests, parks and rows that extend along the borders of the capital of Milan. A continuous ring of trees and small and large clearings to meet farms, abbeys, watercourses, agricultural areas and spaces for recreation and sports. The project arises from the need to redefine the relationship between city and country, to intensify plant and animal biodiversity, the preservation of existing and the construction of new "ecological corridors", the mitigation of climate imbalances, the abatement of noise and atmospheric pollution, the care and maintenance of the territory and the production of sources for agro-energies (4).
Metrodom Panorama vertical forest
Budapest, Hungary
Metrodom Panorama is a private investment containing four 17-storey residential buildings. Following the model of Bosco Verticale of Milan, the facades of the buildings will be created as vertical forests. In the balconies of the buildings 3 to 6 meter high trees are planned to be planted. The construction was finished and the buildings were opened for residents in 2020. As the building is still very new, the green elements of the building are not fully grown in their size, but in 3-4 years the buildings of Metrodom Panorama will be covered with especially lush vegetation. (Reference 9)
