About the project
These soil desealing measures and the wadis have created more opportunities for biodiversity, along with better water management that helps maintain biodiversity. Trees were also planted to help foster ecological connectivity. The project is located on the edge of the city, drawing the natural outdoors into the city. Through appropriate roadside vegetation management, opportunities can be further enhanced by the city.
How are the criteria of the objective met?
- Using nature/natural processes fostering biodiversity which address challenges related to climate change, water management or soil degradation, and providing socio-economic and environmental benefits while having a net benefit for biodiversity -> Infiltration with blue-green elements combined with a social use of the newly created green spaces
- Integrated/holistic approach with other relevant actions to address the challenges related to water management including flood control (inland and along coast), soil degradation and climate change adaptation and mitigation. ->Climate adaptive, water management, social tissue
- Respect of environmental and ecological qualities of the specific area
- Respect of landscape values and integration in the surrounding nature -> Draws the green suburban zone of Turnhout into the city
- Fostering the ecological connectivity ->Draws the green suburban zone of Turnhout into the city
- Adequate maintenance of the nature-based solution on the long term -> Robust and supported design
What are the benefits of the project ?
There is more nature experience, the open space can be used for meeting people and recreation, and the desealing and greening measures also had traffic calming effects. Biodiversity gets much more space here than in the original situation with soil sealing or small patches of lawn/plants lined with high curbs. With appropriate mowing management, this might even improve in the future.
