Parks and Gardens in Spatial Development Policies

Transcription

1 Combining abilities, creating synergies, enhancing performances Parks and Gardens in Spatial Development Policies North Rhine-Westphalia - A best practice case study

2 2 This best practice case study is one of the seven to be compiled within Component 3 of the INTERREG IVC project Hybrid Parks ( ). While two each have their focus on social and environmental aspects, three best practice case studies focus on economic aspects. This study is one of those three with economic focus, in particular on the use of parks and gardens for spatial development policies in the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. This case study was jointly agreed, commissioned and supervised by the four project partners in North Rhine- Westphalia: Schloss Dyck Foundation Jüchen; Coordinator: Jens Spanjer State Chancellery North Rhine-Westphalia Düsseldorf; Coordinator: Wolfgang Rembierz Rhineland Regional Council (LVR) Köln; Coordinator: Roswitha Arnold Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe (LWL) Münster, Coordinator: Udo Woltering The case study was written by: Plan+, Gelsenkirchen, Christian Grüssen Published in December 2012 All best practice case studies and many other documents are available as downloads on: Content: Page 3: The Provision of Public Green in North Rhine-Westphalia Page 9: International Building Exhibition Emscher Park (IBA) Page 13: REGIONALE in NRW Page 18: Emscher Landscape Park Page 21: State Garden Shows Page 25: Federal Garden Shows Page 27: European Garden Heritage Network EGHN Page 29: Hybrid Parks INTERREG IVC Page 31: Photo Credits and Bibliography

3 3 The Provision of Public Green in North Rhine-Westphalia In the system of the Federal Republic of Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia is one of 16 federal states. With about 18 million inhabitants in an area of approximately 34,000 km2, North Rhine-Westphalia (often called NRW) is not the largest German state, but the most populous. There is a long tradition of the provision of public green, urban parks, allotment gardens etc. in North Rhine-Westphalia (or its predecessor regions and states). Already in 1807 the first public parks, financed by citizens or associations, were established in Wuppertal and Aachen. Other urban parks followed in the middle or late 19 th century, e.g. in Essen and Bochum. Over this long period of time, parks and gardens and other open spaces had to serve a number of purposes and objectives. They all add to the attractiveness of the municipality and to the wellbeing of their inhabitants, some had or still have representative functions, some fulfil educational or scientific objectives, e.g. the botanical gardens, and they all favour environmental needs such as cleanliness of air, noise reduction, reduction of temperature. Economic requirements and objectives need to be mentioned too: Even in times and areas of strong industrialisation processes, such as in the Ruhr from about 1820 to 1950, regional plans have been agreed and provisions been taken to maintain the green corridors and public green needed for air and water supply and transport infrastructures. At the same time allotment gardens were given to the workers to balance their low income not always allowing them buying sufficient and healthy food. Sites that have become derelict since then have often been transferred into green spaces here. Green urban squares create attractive housing areas with higher real estate prices and rents. Attractively designed and greened business districts help to attract companies even in flourishing capitals such as Düsseldorf or Cologne. The green city as such profits from a better image raising its competitiveness when investors and high skilled employees chose their locations. Well designed and maintained green public sites are much enjoyed and used by citizens and visitors alike. But particularly visitors from abroad often notice the high number of trees in the streets, not only present on major avenues but also on smaller streets and squares in the historic centres, in business districts and housing areas. It is at the latest then, when they ask how the care for public green is organised.

4 According to the political and administrative structure of Germany, based (among others) on the principles of federalism - with strong federal states, counties and municipalities (as a term including cities, towns etc.) with their own income (e.g. by taxes) and own budgets (e.g. for investments) - and subsidiarity, a matter ought to be handled by the smallest, lowest, or least centralized authority capable of addressing that matter effectively. Accordingly the development of and care for public green is a matter to be dealt with by the municipalities (cities, towns etc.). Two examples: 4 In Düsseldorf, the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia with inhabitants, they consider the tall trees (among them along the streets) to be one of the dominating green elements in the city. About 600 members of staff take care of the parks, graveyards, woods and other green spaces. Of those about 210 staff members of the so-called Gartenamt (garden authority), which exists for more than 130 years now, maintain (without using any chemical pesticides etc.) the public parks, including 9000 sq. m. of beddings changing in spring and summer and 400 flower pots on public squares etc. They produce their own bulbs and cultivate about plants each year. Dortmund, a city of about inhabitants too and located in the Ruhr area, reports 49% of its total area to be open and green spaces. The management of this public green is in the responsibility of a division of the local building authority. About 800 hectares (nearly acres) urban parks and more than trees along km of streets are to be maintained. There are very few statistics about the costs for maintaining and about the investments for enhancing public green in German cities. Moreover, due to different organisations, dimensions, topography, traditions etc., local budgets cannot be compared definitely. But here are some indications: A European project within the 5th Framework Programme called URGE (Development of Urban Green Spaces), led by University Leipzig-Halle in Germany, proposed a reference value of 2% of the total local budget to be used for the development and maintenance of public green. It can be assumed that this value has been true for many municipalities only in times of economic wellbeing and might be a target value to achieve. The Gartenamtsleiterkonferenz GALK, an association of the heads of local authorities or divisions caring for the green in Germany, has published (on Heribert Eschenbruch;

5 5 Kennzahlen für die Erstellung und Unterhaltung von Grünanlagen; kennzahlen_eschenbruch_ pdf) some indicative figures. According to their research the investment for a new average public green is between 20 and 70 Euro per square meter. The annual costs for maintaining a public green of square meter with lawns, shrubs, pathways etc. has been calculated with a total of Euro (including staff, machinery, materials etc.) respectively 1,89 Euro per square meter. For some of their investments municipalities can apply for additional funding from the federal state, in particular from the Ministry for Building, Housing, Urban Development and Transport and the Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Agriculture, Nature Conservation and Consumer Protection. ten years for a specific area and as a promising way to integrate different policies. They include an analysis of the situation, priorities for the area, measures to improve the situation and a financial plan. Funding of integrated urban development in NRW is based on the agreements made in the Leipzig Charta, in particular inward development, climate protection and energy saving, knowledge-based economy of cities and integration. As a result, policy programmes agreed by the state government, include the support of liveable cities, the enhancement of housing districts or the green city in the context of the mitigation of climate change. In 2012 the state gave a total of 181 million Euro additional funding to 141 cities and towns, of that 88 million Euro for 117 measures to revive city centres and historical centres and 93 million Euro for 60 projects devoted to urban redevelopment and social city. priority on enhancing nearby sites, many of the balancing areas and measures are on distant public sites. Often now, the management of public open spaces and the care for the green has been organised in the form of more independent administrative units or businesses. In these companies the municipality remains the unique or most important shareholders or partner, but the legal form allows a greater flexibility especially while acting on the market. But there is not much funding for green as such. As with all other investments, an Integrated Local Action Plan is an obligatory basis for funding by the state. Such plans need to define a comprehensive strategy for five to Other sources for green investments are those obligatory payments to be made by people and companies who are allowed to use green sites for buildings, parking etc. To balance the negative effects of their construction work, e.g. the sealing of green areas, these payments are often used to enhance remaining green areas, e.g. by planting trees. Even if there is a

6 6 But there is a second rationale behind this restructuring process: in times of lower income and restricted public budgets requesting higher expenditures for social tasks and leaving a very limited budget for investments and socalled voluntary expenditures (with green, culture etc. often regarded as such), those new forms of administering public tasks are hoped to save money by reducing the number of staff members, by paying lower wages to new staff members or by generating higher income as well. This objective or strategy is also often pursued by outsourcing some of the maintenance work, such as mowing the green or cutting trees, to private companies. The inclusion of the private sector first of all landscape architects - into the design of open spaces and green areas has a much longer and well acclaimed tradition. However, the number of open competitions for finding high quality designs or master plans is diminishing as they are said to be too lengthy or costly. On the state level, the State Chancellery coordinates the various ministries of the state and is itself responsible for European policy, spatial planning ( Raumordnung ) and planning activities on the level of the federal state North Rhine-Westphalia ( Landesplanung ). A new objective is the so-called "protective cultural landscape development." Future spatial planning will be requested to be aware that spatial planning interferes with historically matured landscapes and redesigns those landscapes. The key objective is to preserve the diversity and variety of cultural landscapes and other important cultural heritage assets. This will allow experiencing the development of sites and areas within the landscape and enhancing regional identity. All this adds to the appearance of a region, to the wellbeing of the people living there and to the international economic competitiveness. The preservation and creation of parks and gardens will be a piece of the puzzle in this 'protective development of cultural landscapes'. Certain green tasks, in particular large scale activities benefitting more than one community, were also handed over to regional bodies. One newer example is the maintenance of the Emscher Landscape Park (see below). Here the Regionalverband Ruhr RVR (Regional Association Ruhr), partly financed as the regional hub by 11 independent municipalities and four districts of the Ruhr Metropolis and by the state North Rhine- Westphalia, has taken over the care for central sites of this huge regional park. Two other key organisations are the Rhineland Regional Council (LVR) and the Regional Association of Westphalia- Lippe (LWL). While their histories, obligations, rights and activities can be compared in many ways, the following two characterisations - taken form their Situation Reports compiled for Hybrid Parks (available on - exemplify the broad range of approaches.

7 7 In the situation report, the LVR states that raising public awareness for garden art and enhancing the cultural and touristic resources of parks, gardens and their environments as close to the heart of the LVR. Gardens and parks, in combination with the landscapes that surround them, are essential parts of our cultural heritage and key ingredients of liveable cities. In combination with cultural landscapes they are cornerstones to foster economic and regional characteristics and to balance deficits in policies dealing with economic, ecologic, social and cultural aspects. Backing is given by intense cooperation between the LVR and local actors in the Rhineland, such as the Biological Stations and the green departments of local administration, in particular in the networks Culture and Environment. The situation report by the LWL states the LWL-Department for Heritage Preservation, Landscape and Building Culture working intensively on the topic of gardens and parks since So far 600 gardens in the region have been recorded and documented on websites and books. Based on the depth of knowledge about the history, the design and the condition of the gardens the LWL participated in several working groups or initiated them, e.g. the Garten_Landschaft_OWL (see below), arranging art exhibitions and lectures in gardens since the year LWL took on the role of advisor on the refurbishment of 14 gardens and parks. In total, around four million Euros were invested. At present, the LWL-Department for Heritage Preservation, Landscape and Building Culture is working on a management plan for the park of Nordkirchen to obtain funds for the restoration of neglected areas. Most of the public parks and gardens that are open to the public, and most of them without any entrance fee, are owned by the public sector, mainly the local municipalities. Some are in the ownership of a company (as some of the parks that result from a former state gardens show) or of a foundation (such as Schloss Dyck Foundation or Museum Island Hombroich) where the public sector often is a main owner, shareholder or trustee. But not to forget, there also are a considerable number of privately owned parks and gardens, often adjoining a castle or the house where the owner lives and/or runs a business. Many of these gardens are open to the public and very well maintained. On some sites a small entrance fee has to be paid, while others only generate some income by organising events or by running a restaurant, a hotel, a nursery or others businesses on the premises.

8 8 It should also be mentioned that the nearly hectares (about 2,3 million acres) of woods and forests in North Rhine-Westphalia are intensively used for leisure and holiday. Of those about 65% are privately owned and under economic use, but in general open to the public. To increase the tourism effects of parks and gardens, the state government also agreed to finance a project on sustainable garden tourism based on the EGHN gardens in North Rhine-Westphalia from its Ziel2.NRW programme, which is confinanced by the European Regional Development Funds. The project partners are Schloss Dyck Foundation, Rhineland Regional Council (LVR) and the Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe (LWL). There are many other organisations and associations, and in particular many initiatives and voluntary groups in NRW supporting parks, gardens and landscapes. As it would certainly go beyond the scope of this case study, only a few can be mentioned in this report, but you will certainly come across the others and appreciate their work too when you will visit or study the (history of) parks and gardens here. While much of the above can be observed in a way at other places too, there are some policies and measures in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) that we and the partners in Europe too think of being worthwhile to be shared as best practice examples within the Hybrid Parks. Within these policies, restored and new parks and gardens are also used to restructure and to enhance urban quarters, to establish new links between municipalities or separated areas within a city, to revitalise a whole region suffering from economic decline, to foster rural economies, to solve environmental problems, to secure heritage assets and landscape qualities and much more. Being implemented in North Rhine- Westphalia over the last 25 years, each of the policies presented here is a good practice example in its own right. Following up each other and thus making use of and enhancing the outcomes of their predecessor(s) and/or running in parallel and supporting each other they can be considered as a quite unique best practice example, which includes: International Building Exhibition EmscherPark (IBA) REGIONALE NRW Emscher Landscape Park State Garden Shows Federal Garden Shows European Garden Heritage Network EGHN INTERREG IVC Hybrid Parks

9 9 Internationale Bauausstellung EmscherPark (IBA) International Building Exhibition Emscher Park (IBA) The after-war economic recovery and subsequent growth (the so-called Wirtschaftswunder ) in the 1950ies and 1960ies would not have been possible without the Ruhr area as the industrial heart of Germany. It was only in the late 1970ies that the region was hit by a dramatic economic crisis. For the German economy it was cheaper to buy coal and steel and other related products on the global market. As a result many or most mining sites and iron and steel factories in the region were closed. This affected many other companies (suppliers, manufactures etc.) too. Many jobs were lost and the unemployment rate caused many social problems. The sub-region along the Emscher River, in the north of the Ruhr, was affected most. On the planning side, unused buildings, derelict land, a fast decline in the housing and retailing sector etc. asked for an innovative problem solving strategy. Such a strategy was officially started in 1989 with the International Building Exhibition Emscher Park or IBA. The IBA was an ingenious attempt to change a characteristic region that was shaped and wounded by industrial development and to open a new future for this region. From the very beginning, the IBA was so ambitious to say that within ten years only, a strategy will be developed and anchor projects be realised as remedies for the most urgent problems and as contributions and resources for future activities. Six main areas were identified as key for this strategic approach of transforming and developing an old industrial region: Emscher Landscape Park Regeneration of the Emscher River System Working in the Park / Recycling for Production Industrial Monuments and Heritage Housing Construction and Urban Development Social Initiatives, Employment and Training In this context the work of the IBA was also based on four main innovative ideas: Crossing administrative borders and linking sector policies Understand all those "problematic" sites, buildings etc. as characteristic assets and values of the region which can be secured, improved and reused to support a new identity and image and to attract new investors, inhabitants and visitors Ensure high quality planning and architecture and an ecological benefit And finally - and as many experts say most important - to break down the barriers that did exist between ecology and aesthetics with the result of a change in paradigm.

10 10 In other words (based on a presentation of Michael Schwarze-Rodrian (RVR) on a Hybrid Parks workshop), the IBA s reaction on the challenge to find integrated and sustainable solutions for the industrial urban landscape (much more than cleaning brownfields ) was the vision to understand and to use the structural change in economy and society as a unique resource for sustainable urban development by methods that use a strict combination of strategy and projects (without hierarchy and at the same time). During the ten years of the IBA, more than 100 single projects in 17 cities were implemented; including new business districts, technology centres, physically and socially improved housing areas, try-outs with renewable energies, environmentally enhanced landscapes, renaturation of the Emscher River, cultural events and festivals. Each single project was unique, but as a whole they created new networks. Not only a network of projects, but also a network of inter-local cooperation grounded on people s trust, nourished by clever moderation and informal management and benefitting from qualities in different fields. This new policy approach was essential for one of the key elements of the IBA, the Emscher Landscape Park. In 1999, at the end of the IBA this regional landscape park stretched out over more than 300 square kilometres and thus also included numerous municipalities within an area of about 70 by 30 kilometres along the Emscher. A new landscape park of that size needed to be built on existing assets, such as parks, gardens and landscape elements, but also required creating new approaches and attractions and joint agreements about priorities and finance. Based on the traditions of landscape parks, but influenced by the size of the park, contemporary design and actual needs, the new park also includes landmarks, sundials, works of art, viewpoints, bridges etc. Many of the new parks and features created within the Emscher Landscape Parks since the 1990s are characterised by emphasising the remains of the industrial past and of the natural aesthetics of unused industrial land. The most prominent and best known example can be found in the north of the city of Duisburg. Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, IBA Emscher Park, 1992: The former Meidericher Hochofenwerk, a disused blast furnace works, 5 kilometres north of downtown Duisburg, is the centre of the Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park. The park covers an area of approximately 200 hectares. Over the last forty years the step-by-step end of crude iron and steel production and the closure of collieries, coking works,

11 11 foundries and other similar plants has created an extremely diverse terrain with different topographies, soil substrates, and vegetation that has been able to spread spontaneously. Some wooded areas are still jungle-like and one could imagine the remains of a sunken city beneath them. The area lies in what were the original plains of the Alte Emscher River. In 1906 the conversion of the meandering Emscher River into an open canal system to collect all regional sewage water in the Ruhr region (with the Ruhr River providing fresh water) was started. This process is under reversion since many years now with investments of some billion Euros. The structures left behind by the industrial past were unearthed by Peter Latz and his team. The structural concept of the park is based on the idea of several layers connected at various points. From , the park was divided into various areas and developed in separate stages. The blast furnaces are the former hot heart of the park and formed the widely visible centre of iron and steel production. The Wasserpark consists of the Alte Emscher river system and a new water collection network. All the roofs and other sealed surfaces in the park are used for water collection in open channels and old pipes. A network of railway embankments at different heights structures the park into separate sections and offers sweeping views into the surroundings. The Vegetationskonzept is based on the diverse natural vegetation which spread spontaneously throughout the area. An unusual variety of plants became established due to the different locations, varying conditions and the import of iron and other materials. Visitors can find the Gärten im Park (gardens within the park) at selected locations. The singularity of each location is brought to the fore and presented in themed gardens. For example, the sinter bunker gardens were created within chambers with concrete walls formerly used to store minerals and to treat them with higher temperatures. The variety of material from all over the world is reflected in the various garden designs. The park s spectacular appearance at night is the result of Jonathan Park s light installation in the bright colours also used for the IBA (see logo below). Duisburg Nord s unique approach to dealing with the heritage and remnants of its industrial past has earned it local and international recognition. The park is a very special place for all the senses and appeals to many different target groups.

12 Today, the parks and gardens in the IBA zone (and the larger Ruhr area) are more than just important open spaces for the population of the region. They are also of major relevance for the identity and image and for regional development strategies which do not deny periods of prosperity and crisis, but actively use all these as unique assets. With their high aesthetic quality they are a sign of a dynamic and forward-looking mood and a request for others, including private investors, to follow this example and to implement high quality of architecture, design, and open spaces and thus quality of jobs and services. 12 This approach and this cooperative network have been and are essential also for many follow-up projects such as the REGIONALE NRW (see below) and the enlargement and further enhancement of the Emscher Landscape Park (see below). Then, the entire approach and story contributed to the success of the RUHR.2010 European Capital of Culture but that is another issue.

13 REGIONALE in NRW In the context of this policy, local stakeholders are asked to gather as subregions and to work out ideas on how to use regional characteristics, in particular cultural and natural resources, for raising the regional attractiveness, quality of life and economic outlooks as well. Common history, resources and the wish to cooperate rather than administrative boundaries should be used to define joint resources, objectives and measures. With their innovative concepts, these new entities then had to apply - in form of a competition - for support by the state. Between 2000 and 2010 there has been a REGIONALE every two years, and the seventh and eights REGIONALE are scheduled for 2013 and For each REGIONALE a managing body (REGIONALE Agency) is set up and assisted by external experts. This is acting according to strategic decisions taken by a steering group formed by regional politicians and other stakeholders and controlled by a group of shareholders and funding bodies (i.e. the cities, municipalities and the state). 13 At all, the IBA was so successful that other regions in North Rhine-Westphalia asked for comparable policies in their regions to make a better use of their resources and to solve their even much smaller problems. A new development policy, called REGIONALE, was installed by the state government. The term is a combination of: Region + Biennial / Triennial = Regionale

14 14 Each REGIONALE develops specific objectives, activities (investments and events) and the specific theme for the implementation and in particular for the presentation year. While the year of the presentation (as indicated in the name) will be key, with many new or improved sites and attractions to be (re)opened and events to be held, some results are to be seen and used by the public even earlier. Some building works will also be continued after a first phase achieved in the presentation year. Already the first REGIONALE in the year 2000 had a strong focus on parks and gardens. It was held in the eastern part of the state, in East Westphalia-Lippe. Here the landscape is more rural and hilly, formed by a long tradition of smaller noble houses and strong citizenships, which includes the members of many family owned major companies (such as Miele, Oetker, Bertelsmann). Within this REGIONALE 2000 a policy called Little Paradises was started with four major elements: the enhancement or restoration of parks and gardens as New, old gardens, such as the Convent Gardens around the Westphalian Monastery Museum at Dalheim, based on archaeological research and remains an ambitious literature festival Wege durch das Land - Pathways through the countryside with specific productions for parks, gardens and other sites an arts project Rauminszenierungen with sitespecific art installations and environments in various gardens by artists such as Holzer, Kabakov, Condo or Eliasson joint promotional activities. The entire package was very successful and continued by the regional initiative Garten_Landschaft_OWL (Garden Landscape OWL) after the year In total 14 parks and gardens could successfully be refurbished and restored,. Here the Landschaftsverband Westfalen- Lippe (LWL) acted as an advisor, not only by sharing the knowledge about the history, the design and the condition of the gardens, but also by supporting financial concepts and by applications helping the (often private) owners to apply for (public) grants and state funding, both for the total investments of about four million Euros and for the continued preservation and maintenance of gardens and parks. While the literature festival is successfully continued until today, the arts project is looking for a new curator, funding and sponsors. The second REGIONALE, held in 2002/2003, the so-called EUROGA 2002plus, with its presentation period of 18 months included more than 120 major projects or measures, 1200 events and 60 exhibitions. The planning area in the Rhineland involved more than 50 cities and municipalities with a total of 2.7 million inhabitants and crossed the border to the Netherlands.

15 15 One key issue for this REGIONALE in 2002/03 was the rediscovery of landscape gardening in the Rhineland, merging ecology and aesthetics (thus responding to the successful theme of the IBA). A huge investment was made to improve 20 park monuments. Also within this context, the State Garden Show (see below) followed a decentralised approach. Across the region, seven heritage gardens were enhanced, new features and facilities added. This time the State Garden Show attracted more than visitors to the parks and gardens and another visitors to the Illumina (a light and sound event at various parks and sites). Until today, there is an Illumina each year at Schloss Dyck, which was the key site of this decentralised festival. With support given by this REGIONALE, the Straße der Gartenkunst zwischen Rhein und Maas (Street of Garden Art between the Rivers Rhine and Maas) was established. Crossing the borders to the Netherlands, this association now brings together 35 members with 55 high quality and mostly historic parks and gardens. Their main objectives are the preservation of this garden heritage and its stronger promotion and tourism use. Schloss Dyck, REGIONALE 2002: The most recent chapter in the long history of Schloss Dyck began in 2002, when the grounds were reopened to host the central show grounds of the decentralised state garden show as a key element within the REGIONALE Some years earlier, and after more than over 900 years of ownership by the Princes and Counts of Salm-Reifferscheidt- Dyck, the Schloss Dyck Foundation was established in While the Countess Metternich contributed the castle grounds as well as the English landscape garden, other capital and support was given by the Rhineland Regional Council, the Rhine County Neuss, the municipality of Jüchen, Neuss savings bank and the Government of North Rhine-Westphalia. The county and the state also mainly covered the costs for the restoration of the large moated castle grounds and for the extension of the significant landscape park with new gardens. In addition, funding for exhibitions, single restorations and other projects, such as the European Garden Heritage Network or Hybrid Parks is supplied by the European Union, the German Federal Government, the "Deutsche Stifung für Denkmalschutz" (German Foundation for Monument Conservation ), " Kunststiftung NRW " (Art

16 16 Foundation NRW), the Foundation Culture Conservation and Culture Promotion of the Sparkasse Neuss as well as the regional authorities for the Rhineland (LVR) and Westphalia-Lippe (LWL). Furthermore, money from the industry has helped maintaining the grounds and individual gardens, and contributed towards cultural programmes and the creation of a scientific institute. Today the park appears as it did when laid out by Thomas Blaikie in the early 19th century. Behind the themed gardens in the entrance area, avenues and shady paths through woods lead to the castle and the various historical areas of the park. The large meadows and gentle hills provide an ideal location for the more than 200-year-old groups of trees and solitary trees. Wonderful displays are produced by the sweeping meadows in April and by the azaleas and rhododendrons in May. On the orangery peninsula numerous small compartments with flowerbeds and shrub gardens form clear lines. The new design of the former agricultural site Dycker Field was created on the occasion of the State Garden Show Designed by Stephan Lenzen, lawn areas cross a field of China Reeds and with the adjacent old Chestnut Grove highlight the connection between the Convent St. Nikolaus and the castle. Within the sea of China Reeds more than 20 contemporary gardens await discovery. As one of the most recent supplements, an espalier fruit garden has been opened in 2012 in cooperation with the Rhineland Regional Council (LVR). This garden uses a contemporary design and materials to display old and regional fruit varieties. As one link in a chain of fruit gardens by the LVR, this garden, inspired by the EGHN partner garden Gaasbeek in Belgium, raises the public awareness for (old) fruit trees and espaliers in private gardens. Well established events add to the appeal of Schloss Dyck and attract about visitors per year. Events include garden markets and the Christmas market, Classic Days (as the largest event for vintage cars in Germany) and the Illumina. As a Centre for Garden Art and Landscape Design, Schloss Dyck Foundation is also active in education and research, e.g. in leading European projects such as the European Garden Heritage Network EGHN and Hybrid Parks (see below).

17 17 Within the REGIONALE 2004 along the river Ems, gardens were surveyed and guides published. The very old landscape Bagno was refurbished and in the historic deer park in Raesfeld a visitor centre now informs about the park s history. Analysing the REGIONALE as an innovative policy tool, accompanying research by the ILS Research Institute for Regional and Urban Development identified seven thematic areas and a number of projects within the REGIONALE as a policy programme that can be considered as particularly pioneering and influential: Innovative Urban Development (including built heritage and garden art), Landscape as a Tourism Resource (including enhanced parks and the Garten_Landschaft_OstWestfalenLippe), Treasures of Architecture (including Schloss Benrath and Schloss Dyck), Impetus for a Site (including the Illumina at Schloss Dyck), On the way to Europe (including the cycling network within the EUROGA), Culture, Education and Offspring (including Hombroich Missile Station), and Environment, Energy and Mobility. As the previous map (by courtesy of ILS) shows, most of regions in North Rhine- Westphalia have now been covered by either a REGIONALE or the IBA (as its predecessor). Thus a new question arises: Will this innovative and successful policy with so many positive and sustainable effects then be finished or will new challenges and new opportunities ask for a continuation? Municipalities, cities and regions seem to be prepared to go on, but a decision has to be taken by the state government first and will among others be based on the availability of budgets, including match funding to be made available by the European Union within programmes such as ERDF, INTERREG (or its successors) etc. In 2012 the state NRW has given a total of 45 Mio. Euro for 36 projects started or ongoing in the context of a REGIONALE.

18 18 Emscher Landschaftspark Emscher Landscape Park The Masterplan Emscher Landscape Park confirmed existing sites and identified growth areas and priorities for additional green links, parkways, urban projects, water projects and new landmarks and was and will be the platform for the development of the regional park system. But already now, the Emscher Landscape Park is the green heart of the Ruhr Metropolis. It covers about 450 square kilometres and includes about 200 projects that have been started since the IBA in Meanwhile the Ruhr Regional Association (RVR) has taken over the maintenance and development of the Emscher Landscape Park. The Emscher Landscape Park combines industrial heritage and landscape art with cultural landscapes and natural elements. The park consists of: gardens and parks often including industrial remains paths for walkers and cyclists often on former railway tracks or along canals, bridges often art objects rather than only connections tips as viewpoints often with landmarks by famous artists canals and rivers often forming islands that have not been accessible for years art installations and events often using the industrial remains or unknown land The IBA (International Building Exhibition) and its projects still have their urban, economic, social and aesthetic effects and helped to emerge follow-up activities and new visions. One follow-up is the enlargement of the Emscher Landscape Park. After the end of the IBA, key elements of an analysis, of future needs and many visions have been put together in the Masterplan Emscherlandschaftspark 2010.

19 19 The park and its projects already have and will further significantly and sustainably improve regional structures and connections, environmental conditions, the image of the region and the quality of life and the pride of the people living in the area. Curing the wounded nature and topography as a core constituent of the IBA and the Emscher Landscape Park could not be sincere without healing the River Emscher. The Emscher was turned into a sewage water system serving the rapidly growing industry and population. Mining and collapsing ground did not allow building an underground waste water system in the 19 th and early 20 th century. With the re-naturalization or conversion of the Emscher started in the 1990ies by the Emschergenossenschaft - which was established in 1899 to manage the regional waste water system - the New Emscher Valley as the core of the Emscher Landscape Park is evolving. Today more than 50% of the new underground sewers along an 80-kilometre stretch in the middle of Europe s biggest conurbation have been completed. Much of the river has been re-profiled and retaining areas have been added to allow a better flooding management. Native trees, shrubs and plants have been introduced along the banks to further improve water quality and the ecosystem. The total investment is estimated to match 4.5 billion Euros and implementation will take decades. But those investments are also securing many jobs in the region and provide a highly visible symbol of positive change and sustainability. Also many anchor points or sites of the 25 thematic routes of industrial heritage crisscrossing the Ruhr are located in and/or have a thematic relevance for the Emscher Landscape Park. One of those routes is the Route of Industrial Nature with its 19 locations. Here visitors can explore how flora and fauna have adapted to a twofold change. When the industrialisation started, many plants and animals arrived with the imported raw materials and found new habitats on the industrial sites, with their often very hot, wet or dry conditions. When the industry was gone, the derelict sites and remaining buildings gave home to other species. Visitors are invited to enjoy the interactive exhibition about the Emscher Landscape Park at Haus Ripshorst in Oberhausen. 1990: Haus Ripshorst A relic of the pre-industrial landscape has managed to survive for more than a century between collieries, blast furnaces, rolling mills and the arterial roads of heavy industry. This small idyllic area, which

20 surrounds Haus Ripshorst and covers approximately 40 hectares, was used for farming in the midst of the highly industrialised core of the Ruhr area. In 1990, the Ruhr Regional Council (RVR) purchased the grounds. Here, as one of the first projects of the IBA an information centre for the Emscher Landscape Park was installed in the former farm buildings of Haus Ripshorst. trees from the pre-ice age to the industrial age. An expedition from tertiary to reforestation after the ice-age to cultured trees and shrubs presents visitors with exotic beauties. Visitors can also admire the decorative fruits of various trees including ornamental apple trees. Adjoining in the south is Ruderalpark Frintrop, one of 16 locations on the Route of Industrial Nature. The term industrial nature is used to denote plants, insects and animals which have established themselves on former industrialised areas. The designs drawn up by landscape architects Davids, Terfrüchte and Partners develop the area carefully merging elements of landscape architecture with former railway tracks and the dynamics of nature (succession). 20 A bold bridge spans the Rhine-Herne Ship Canal with a steel tube arch, connecting the Gehölzgarten Ripshorst with the regional Emscherpark bicycle routes. Here a multimedia exhibition presents 15 important park sites and much more. Around 100 events dealing with nature and environment are on the programme annually. On the site, in the Gehölzgarten Ripshorst, visitors are taken on a journey through time over 60 million years of natural history and can discover 6,000 trees and shrubs. The site was designed by the landscape architects Irene Lohhaus und Martin Diekmann. Their aim was not to create a stylishly designed park but primarily to preserve the character of the pre-industrial cultural landscape. A sixty-meter wide and nearly two kilometres long stretch of trees and shrubs illustrates the development of The parks and gardens in the Ruhr have been a key element in the successful application for Europe s Capital of Culture 2010 and have attracted and fascinated many visitors. Some of the attractions within the Emscher Landscape Park have been made possible by the system of State Garden Shows and Federal Garden Shows which will be further described below.

21 21 Landesgartenschauen State Garden Shows Since 1984, the state North Rhine-Westphalia and the green industry jointly support State Garden Shows. In total 15 shows have been organised in the 26 years between the first show (1984 in Hamm, see below) and the most recent show (2010 in Hemer). The next shows are scheduled for 2014 in Zülpich and 2017 in Bad Lippspringe. For Zülpich for instance, the ministry for urban development has agreed a funding of 5,14 million Euro from the state s programme to support heritage protection within an urban development context. More funding is given by the ministry for the environment. Similar to many other garden shows (in Germany and elsewhere) there are, in particular in the year of the presentation (normally from April until October), abundant flower beds, various show gardens inspiring the private gardeners, presentations by groups and organisations (such as environmentalists, bird lovers, beekeepers, schools), indoor flower shows, markets, concerts and many other events. But for this type of shows the main infrastructure always had to be sustainable and a certain level of variety and quality of the green to be maintained in the years to come. What is more, these investments in new, enlarged or enhanced parks and gardens are often made to improve the urban environment, to link urban quarters, to create new leisure facilities, to connect a city to its river or to revitalise derelict sites. Each show also acts as a showcase for the green industry and their services (such as nurseries, construction companies, landscape architects) and presents trends in landscape development and garden design. Environmental issues are presented in attractive and entertaining show gardens and exhibitions. At the same time, the early and active inclusion of the citizens is a factor of increasing importance. It is not only that plans are presented and discussed. Citizens are given opportunities to contribute, e.g. by designing community gardens, by presenting local initiatives or by acting as guides. There are many indications and proofs that successful gardens shows have increased local identification and pride. Municipalities have to apply for support given to a State Garden Show according to agreed requirements, forms and deadlines. A jury with representatives from the funding bodies, the green industry, professional associations and organisations, decides based on the submitted plans and documents and on on-site visits. The selected city or town will be the sole bearer of the show, but be joint organizer with the Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft Gartenbau und Landespflege Nordrhein- Westfalen (LAGL NW), an association of landscape architects, gardeners of all kinds, both professionals and amateurs and florists. The LAGL assists all cities during the application, the detailed preparation and implementation phase. The organizers set up a company for the construction and operating process. There is no doubt that these enhanced or new parks and landscapes not only added to the quality of space, the quality of life and to the attractiveness as locations for businesses, but also created attractive destinations for leisure and tourism. Parks and gardens have been in the focus of the German presentation in 2008 on the major International Tourism Fair in Berlin. Tourism agencies and tour operators are promoting parks and gardens (including the sites of federal or state garden shows) in a wider cultural context. The three examples below may further illustrate the ideas behind, the activities and the success of State Garden Shows in North Rhine-Westphalia.

22 : Maximilianpark, Hamm: Ecological issues and planning objectives were weighed up carefully against each other during the transformation of the former colliery grounds for the first State Garden Show in North Rhine-Westphalia in Here the revitalisation process which had already started by nature on the derelict colliery grounds was respected. Most of the themes in the landscaped areas of the garden thus found their counterpoints in the already existing situation: the display areas of roses, perennials, grasses and shrubs form a contrast to the wild areas. This contrast is likewise evident in the landscaping of the terrain. The Lake Maximilian for instance, created as a natural pond with small biotopes, contrasts an area of water with plenty of opportunities for leisure activities. The mining history of the terrain also found its way into the park's new design. Fragmentary ruins of the former mine were integrated into the landscape and given a new architectural twist, in particular with the huge glass elephant created from the former coal washing plant. A scented garden with scented rambling roses awaits the visitor at the main entrance. In the vegetable and herb garden a central raised herb bed is surrounded by vegetable patches with old and new types of vegetable and berry bushes. The apothecary garden informs about medicinal plants. Plants for natural dyeing grow in the neighbouring garden. The fuchsia garden can be found at the edge of the wood and the roses and perennials unfold their profusion of blossoms on the south slope opposite the butterfly house. The park has been further enhanced since July 2011 by two plantings of perennials and grasses by garden architect Piet Oudolf. Curving paths thread their way through Piet Oudolf's compositions of plants, which continue today to invite visitors on floral excursions through a sea of impressive perennial and grass formations.

23 : Neulandpark, Leverkusen: Leverkusen s Neuland-Park is a contemporary green space which, after a long interruption, now links the city centre with the river panorama of the Rhine again. Leverkusen was confronted with a particular challenge when designing the park. It should be located on a 550,000 cubic metres landfill which had been in use right up to the 1960s. Following the demolition of a residential development which had been built on the land after the dump was closed, an elaborate process was carried out to make the polluted area safe. The park on the terrain of the State Garden Show 2005 is situated between the contrasting scenes formed by the backdrop of the neighbouring Bayer chemical factory to the south and an almost rural river landscape to the north. It is now a further green area of retreat for the town. The artificiality of the park landscape was emphasised by using strictly architectonic elements, contrasting these with the classical Rheinpark and its large areas of grass. The park architecture forms a strong contrast to the renaturalised landscape of the Dhünn, a small river which was freed from its concrete bed as part of the State Garden Show. The futuristic Neulandbrücke connects the Neuland-Park with the Rhine promenade - likewise newly designed and attracting many citizens and visitors who enjoy the new views on the River Rhine with many ships passing by. Using the unique opportunities of a State Garden Show, the city of Leverkusen not only managed to transform an old dump into a flowering landscape without forgetting the past, but also succeeded in impressing experts in terms of both urban development and environmental policy. The citizens of Leverkusen were involved in the project at an early stage as the aim was to design the park in such a way that they could make peace with the area. The Bürgerallee (Citizens Avenue) with 120 donated ash trees and sweet gum trees is a living sign of this commitment.

24 : Gartenschaupark Rietberg: The Garden Show Park is a 3.5 kilometre stretch of land in the south of Rietberg. It starts at the Chapel of St. John, passes through a nature reserve before reaching the historical town centre and continuing along another nature reserve to the town district of Neuenkirchen. The undisturbed areas of vegetation along the Ems River have created new links for cycling and walking. For the State Garden Show in Rietberg a funding of 4,43 million Euro has been given from the programme to support historic centres. The concept was based on two principles: Embedding the show into the landscape shaped by the Ems River, its tributaries and the nature reserves and linking the town centre of Rietberg with its mediaeval structures and half-timbered houses. The historical town centre is surrounded by a network of moats, which were reinstated and made accessible for the State Garden Show, forming a continuous body of flowing water along the historical route of the embankments. This has also improved flood protection. Adjoining the town centre, the main area of the Gartenschaupark is designed for families: it has flowerbeds which are regularly replanted, play areas, an area of grass for relaxation, a high ropes course and a lake with a beach. The park restaurant can be reached by crossing a bridge. A path runs around the reedgrown lower lake, which also provides flood protection in the case of extreme rainfall. The New Park in Neuenkirchen is surrounded by a strip of trees and shrubs which mostly consists of native trees with some exotic plants added on the site. The park communicates with the Rietberg cultural landscape through "landscape windows". A loop path winds its way through the park, connecting the two spreading herbaceous borders in the north and the south. In 2011, the Klimapark (climate park) was opened on a refurbished site of the park. Here visitors can experience different forms of renewable energies and how they can be used for cars or houses and can visit a house that follows the daily path of the sun.

25 25 Bundesgartenschauen Federal Garden Shows Federal Garden Shows (BUGA) and International Garden Exhibitions (IGA) are often regarded as the Olympic Games for gardeners and the green industry. But every two years everybody, and not only the youth of the world, is invited to a new location to come and see. Since 1951, with the first BUGA taking place in Hannover, 31 BUGAs and IGAs have attracted a total of 140 million visitors. The last show was in Koblenz and the next ones are scheduled for Hamburg 2013, the Havel region in 2015 and for Berlin in North Rhine-Westphalia hosted nine of those 31 shows. The early shows have been an excellent tool to revamp existing parks. While this was very much appreciated by the municipalities and visitors alike, there was some upcoming criticism then about too much flower shows and about a festival character not leaving sufficient positive effects for the site on the long view, in particular when a Bundesgartenschau was hosted in the same city or even same place twíce or three times (as with the Westfalenpark in Dortmund on the photo). But some very successful shows, with lasting positive effects for the park and the hosting city then helped to silence the critics. Many shows have contributed a lot to urban regeneration and development policies, e.g. the two most recent ones in Schwerin and Koblenz. On its website, the managing body, the Bundesgartenschaugesellschaft, lists these four decades of development of public green and in particular of the main objectives of the Federal Garden Shows: : After war refurbishment - Parks closing the gaps in ruined cities : Renovation of the green and creation of new parks Parks offering relaxation and attractions : Urban development in the new federal states Military sites and derelict industrial areas turned into parks : Public realm and ecological objectives Parks unlocking dense inner city areas. To host a Federal Garden Show, municipalities have to apply by delivering a first draft idea and concept for the show. After discussion with the DBG - Deutsche Bundesgartenschau GmbH (the agency managing and supporting the Federal Garden Shows as such) a feasibility study has to be delivered. A jury by the DBG will then visit all applying municipalities, see the sites and give recommendations to improve the concepts and plans made. After a second presentation by the applicants, taking in account the given recommendations, a decision will be made and contracts be signed then. From that point it normally takes eight to ten years until the show can start.

26 : Nordsternpark Gelsenkirchen, Federal Garden Show (BUGA): Nordsternpark, which evolved from the Federal Garden Show in Gelsenkirchen in 1997, presents post-industrial garden design in the spirit of the International Building Exhibition Emscher Park (IBA) in a landscape park on the disused terrain of a former colliery and on old industrial land. The history of the area the history of Nordstern colliery and the widespread excessive shaping of the industrial landscape remain present as no attempt is made to create aesthetic harmony or a smooth transition where the legacy of the past meets new elements. Former winding towers and colliery buildings are important landmarks which form identification points in the landscape. A slag-heap passage and a slag-heap pyramid create new views and provide focuses. New impressive bridges form outstanding elements of the new infrastructure and connect the town districts across the canal and the Emscher River. The landscape park uses oppositeness to highlight elements. Barriers are broken in order to create links. The park structures satisfy due to their formal transparency and simplicity. The new earth architecture is technological. It is a sign of what has been artificially created. Due consideration is given to the urgent need for ecological renewal through the development of a sufficient number of areas where flora and fauna can regenerate. The reclaimed land and its attractions such as Kinderland and the "Amphitheatre" is an important area for local recreation for the adjoining town districts. There are also economic benefits as the former mining structures are now reconverted into attractive and unique offices, among others for one of Germany s biggest housing companies.

27 European Garden Heritage Network EGHN The rationale to start this initiative in North Rhine-Westphalia was manifold: as outlined above, many spatial and economic policies have made use of parks and gardens and there was a great interest to share the experiences made, to learn more about best practice in other regions across Europe and to discuss common challenges and future policies. Additionally, the European cooperation was identified as an excellent tool to promote the garden resource, to raise public awareness and to attract more (local to international) visitors. 27 The idea for the European Garden Heritage Network (EGHN) started in North Rhine-Westphalia since the year 2001 at the Institute for Spatial Planning of the University Dortmund and was then further developed regionally with the ministries supporting European policies, regional and urban development, urban regeneration and green development, the Schloss Dyck Foundation as the Centre for Garden Art and Landscape Design, the two regional associations caring for landscapes, culture and built heritage (LVR and LWL) and other organisations as well as internationally with European partners supporting the idea of applying for funding by the European INTERREG IIIB NWE programme. Since its accreditation as an INTERREG IIIB NWE project in 2003, the EGHN has strengthened the profile of gardens and has underlined their sizeable importance for politics, society, urban design, tourism and regional economic development. Resources and knowledge have been exchanged and programmes and guidelines have been developed which will ensure that Europe's wealth of gardens will be secured and enhanced by way of regional garden routes and European themed routes, innovative planning strategies, the networking of cultural landscapes, improved accessibility and new information and education programmes and activities. Since 2003, contacts and partnerships have been formed on both the professional and political level, and new collaborative projects have been initiated. This resulted in the EGHN becoming established and continuing to grow as the European Garden Heritage Network, even when EU funding period has expired. The EGHN Masterplan which was adopted in 2009 sets out future prospects and has proven itself to be an effective actionoriented guideline for new concepts and projects. On the regional level, the EGHN

28 28 routes helped their regional coordinators (i.e. working at the LVR, LWL or RVR) installing new local working groups with people in charge for the gardens and to work on new projects and activities. Jointly they also strive to raise the awareness and support by politics, NGOs and the business sector. The twelve regional garden routes and five European themed routes currently consist of approximately 150 gardens in Germany, Great Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Ireland and Denmark with gardens from Austria and Malta to be joining soon. Along with 120 cultural landscapes, they are presented on and in publications to people interested in garden design landscape and culture, They are invited for visits and to spend longer periods of time in the regions. Looking towards the future, EGHN is working on new concepts in relation to sustainable tourism, climate change as a challenge and an opportunity, stronger regional networks, and collaboration with the business sector. To accomplish these objectives, EGHN with its partners and other bodies has successfully applied for funding to organise projects in this regard, notably HYBRID PARKS in the European programme INTERREG IVC (below) and the tourism project GartenKulturReisen or Gardens, Parks and Culture Germany s Finest (Objective 2 Programme of the State of North Rhine- Westphalia, co-financed by ERDF) which is based on the four regional garden routes in the state with their 52 EGHN gardens and agreed quality standards. By own means and by sponsoring, EGHN has started lecture series, workshops and conferences as well as in 2010 the European Garden Award to raise the esteem for the development of historic gardens, for contemporary gardens and for the work of individuals and organisations in documenting, preserving and promoting parks and gardens. As a whole, EGHN has - according to Evamaria Küppers-Ullrich, Ministry for Building, Housing, Urban Development and Transport in her presentation during the Hybrid Parks Workshop in October provided up-to-date information that underlines the potential of gardens for innovative and sustainable regional development: not just contributing to a region s soft infrastructure, but as a part of the cultural landscape and as an economic generator. Especially in the Ruhrgebiet, the development and reconstruction of parks and gardens is one way of rehabilitation and revitalisation of post-industrial areas on their way on a structural transformation. The cultural development and touristic promotion as done by the garden owners, municipalities, organisations, tourism agencies, EGHN and many others also raises the quality of life in the cities and makes a substantial contribution to increased family friendliness.

29 29 Hybrid Parks INTERREG IVC Parks, both historic and modern, are intensively managed, high quality environments. They add to the attractiveness and success of cities and regions and to the quality of life for citizens and visitors. New activities can combine their abilities, create synergies and enhance the performance of parks for sustainable development policies. These are the key beliefs and motivations behind the application for the INTERREG IVC project Hybrid Parks, which was finally approved in March They all acknowledge the need to achieve additional economic, social and environmental benefits to diminish the risks of decline or loss caused by conflicting demands, budget reductions etc. They also understand climate change as a growing threat which will affect park features and plants directly, attract more visitors using parks as comfort places and await the contribution of parks to risk prevention and mitigation strategies. It is the project s key objective that parks can fully be used for sustainable local and regional development and for policies to mitigate climate change by enhancing their abilities to better serve economic, social and environmental purposes; by combining the improved capacities to create synergies and to enhance performance and benefits; and by promoting guidance on how to relate the above with local and regional mitigation policies. Such policies ensure that in each park different functions work "hand in hand". The term Hybrid is often used in plant and animal breeding, where hybrids are commonly produced and selected because they have desirable characteristics not found in the parent individuals. Today Hybrid is common to cars as well, when different engines and sources of energy are combined to reduce fuel consumption and environmental impacts. Analogously, the idea of Hybrid Parks came into being. The partnership includes many of those cities and regions energetically enhancing and using parks in a wider policy context such as economic development, rural diversification, urban renewal, protection of environment, landscape and cultural heritage. There are some newcomers having started similar policies recently.

30 30 Individual and interrelated activities cover the 3 pillars of sustainability, based on experiences and resources of the partnership and the objectives of Hybrid Parks. Best practice studies include Economy: Tourism and urban (re)development", Social: Widening the audience" and Environment: Public awareness. Policies using parks for economic, environmental or social development are investigated in two workshops each. Cross-cutting or "hybrid" workshops investigate how to combine these approaches to increase the contribution and synergies of parks to sustainable development policies and mitigation of climate change. Study tours to the UK (focus: economy), Sweden (social) and Lower Austria (environment) and conferences will support exchange and transfer. This will feed into improved skills and regional development plans, championed by regional support teams. The final conference will present the project report, with best practice case studies and the Hybrid Parks Model for integrated management of parks within sustainable development and climate change policies. News about the project, presentations given and reports written within the context of the project and much more can be found on the project s website. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the State Chancellery, as one partner in the project, promotes landscapes including parks and gardens as a valuable asset for large scale planning and for climate change mitigation strategies on the regional level. The two regional councils, LVR and LWL, will inform the municipalities in their domains and will use the outcomes of Hybrid Parks for own projects or projects financed by them whenever feasible. Schloss Dyck Foundation is likely to use the new skills and inspirations for future activities on its premises and for research activities. The Ministry for Building, Housing, Urban Development and Transport is considering the activities and outcomes of Hybrid Parks within their policy development for Green Cities. Accordingly, and considering all the other policies and activities by the state, regions, municipalities, the business and the private sector, there is, in spite of reduced public funding, a positive outlook that the best practice examples in North Rhine- Westphalia, inspired by a broad and intense European exchange of experiences and cooperation, will be continued in the future and that people in charge will be ready and able to deal with new challenges for the public green caused by changing user demands, the environment (climate change) and other factors.