New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023

Initiative category

Identify the award category for which this initiative is being submitted
Reconnecting with nature

Email user
cristina.dinu@unith2b.com

Basic information
Initiative title
Tasnad Urban Garden

Full initiative Title
Feasibility Study for "Tasnad Urban Garden"

Please provide a short, catchy description of your initiative to be used in communication towards the public.
Tasnad Urban Garden Project rethinks the way green public spaces can provide an identity-centered educational experience raising awareness on the local endangered botanical heritage, while at same time addressing the needs for outdoors sports activities for modern healthy individuals of all ages. The mid-term goal is to support a paradigm shift and encourage both the locals and visitors of the Garden to support nature-based projects through educational means.

What was the geographical scope of your intiative?
Local

Where was your intiative implemented?
Member State(s) and Western Balkans
Romania

If relevant, insert names of region(s)/municipality(ies) involved
Tasnad Municipality

Does your initiative address mainly urban or rural issues?
Mainly urban

Does your initiative refer to a physical transformation of the built environment or other types of transformations (hard or soft investments)?
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)

Has your initiative benefited from EU programmes and/or funds?
No

Has your initiative won an EU prize with a monetary value awarded?
No

Does your initiative has a minimum level of maturity? The minimum level of maturity is exemplified by stakeholder/ initiative promoter commitment to implement the initiative in practice and a clear methodology /approach.
Yes

On whose behalf are you submitting the application?
As a representative of an organisation
Please provide the contact details for the project promoter (the individual or representative of the organisation authorised to represent the project)
- Name of the organisation(s): UNITH2B
  Type of organisation: For-profit company
  First name of representative: Hildegard
  Last name of representative: Brandl
  Gender: Female
  Nationality: Romania
  Function: Sole Administrator
  Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Pache Protopopescu No. 81
  Town: Bucharest
  Postal code: 021408
  Country: Romania
  Direct Tel: +40 745 219 782
  E-mail: cristina.dinu@unith2b.com
  Website: https://www.unith2b.com/
Social Media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)
- URL: https://www.facebook.com/unith2b
In case my initiative is selected as a finalist of the NEB Prizes 2023, I agree to share the name (individual and/or organisation’s), email address, website and social media accounts indicated above with other NEB Prizes finalists. I also agree to publish the name (individual and/or organisation’s), website and social media accounts indicated above next to the public description of my initiative in the channels of the European Commission.
Yes

How did you hear about the New European Bauhaus Prizes?
Press

Description of the initiative
Please provide a summary of your initiative
The Tasnad Urban Garden project came about from the need to create a public space that brings members of the local community of various ages together. The Garden spreads on 4 ha. of land, of which over 90% is natural soil, offering opportunities for community members of all ages to enjoy nature. It provides both leisure and educational experiences meant to highlight the importance of preserving the botanical heritage of the area and also facilitates sports accessibility.
Tașnad has some of the largest geothermal springs in the region and during weekends its population is doubled due to tourists. The town-resort is located in the southern part of Satu Mare County, on a hill with an altitude of 220 meters. The site of the Garden is in a state of degradation and requires rehabilitation, both for change of perspective and improvement of the urban image.
The Urban Garden is organized into three main areas: one equipped with kids’ playgrounds, pump tracks and volleyball fields for teenagers and young adults, one containing a basketball court bordered by a natural amphitheater, and last but not least 10 meadows as themed “outdoor lounges” .
Three of these “lounges” are located in the active area of the Garden where athletes and spectators can meet and spend time together. Seven of them are hidden in the preexisting deciduous forest so that the experience equals a complete immersion in nature. All are unique in fragrance and aesthetics.
The most ambitious scope of the project is to offer a change of perspective over the role of nature in a contemporary landscape. It aims to prove that nature-based materials are not only feasible, but also offer an educational purpose.
Over 5000 will be added to the pre-existent flora, of which 12 species are on the endangered list, protected by Romanian environmental laws. Dedicated information totems will raise awareness of these species in story based explanations, providing added educational value to the concept.

Please indicate the main themes of your initiative with 5 key words.
reconnecting with nature

Please indicate the main themes of your initiative with key words
social inclusion

Please indicate the main themes of your initiative with key words
environmental awarenss

Please indicate the main themes of your initiative with key words
education

Please indicate the main themes of your initiative with key words
fun

Please give information about the key objectives of your initiative in terms of sustainability and how these have been/will be met. Please highlight how the initiative can be exemplary in this context.
Being guided by the principle of social inclusion and taking into account factors such as affordability and accessibility, but also a minimal carbon footprint, we considered the local community and nature as the main beneficiaries of this project. The garden will be opened to all visitors, providing an interactive space for locals of all ages to enjoy.
The space is designed with nature-based solutions and materials in mind. Alleys are built from compacted gravel and forest walkways are created out of stabilized soil, solutions that insures water permeability as well as resistance and regeneration at lower costs than traditional paving. This will also reduce residual heat otherwise generated by other non-friendly materials such as asphalt.
The natural amphitheater that borders the basketball court is provided with tree logs as benches, recycled on site and all outdoor furniture, including the playgrounds, are made of environmentally friendly materials.
5000 plants will be added to the existing flora, of which 12 species are on the endangered list of species protected by Romanian environmental law. The plant selection includes everything from seeds to large trees of which 51 added species are exclusively native to Romania and others are from similar European climate regions.
With so well acclimatized and native species planted, irrigation systems are not required, reducing maintenance costs for the Municipality and throughout Tasnad's community. Most existing subterranean ecosystems remain untouched, with infrastructure interventions being restricted to less than 10% of the land. This also highlights the small investment cost compared to the positive public impact.
Last but not least alternative energy sources were taken into account for the architectural light systems of the Garden during the night, such as solar panels.

Please give information about the key objectives of your initiative in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people (through design, positive emotions and cultural benefits) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the initiative can be exemplary in this context.
The most ambitious scope of the project is to offer a change of perspective over the role of nature in a contemporary, mostly urban landscape.The Garden is structured into 3 areas: a more public one comprising of sports facilities, one being a private basketball court bordered by its own private natural amphitheater and a third one made out of 10 secluded “outdoor lounges”, former meadows inside the existent deciduous forest.
Passing by the first pedestrian area, the playgrounds, pump tracks and volleyball fields, visitors experience a complete immersion in nature. Here, in the forest's meadows, our primary intent was to convey a sense of tranquility. In order for the seclusion of the “lounges” to not become an orientation obstacle, all of them are plant themed: rose, rock and herb “lounges”. All are unique in fragrance and design, being in itself local landmarks, so dates can begin with the words "We'll meet at sunset in the rose garden".
The space is designed with nature-based solutions and materials in mind. Alleys are built from compacted gravel and forest walkways are created out of stabilized soil.
The project addresses local educational and learning needs of the community through the experience of a year-round horticultural exhibition on over 4 hectares of natural land. These species were specifically selected as a tool to raise awareness among visitors and information panels are provided along all the planted areas.
The mid-term goal is to support a paradigm shift and encourage both the locals and visitors of the Garden to support nature-based projects through educational means.

Please give information about the key objectives of your initiative in terms of inclusion (ranging from accessibility and affordability for all to inclusive governing systems, design for all principles or new societal models) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the initiative can be exemplary in this context.
Following the principle of affordability, the Tasnad Urban Garden is opened to visitors completely free of charge. There is no admission fee of any kind. The sports facilities, namely the two volleyball fields, the basketball court and the pump track do not require a fee either.
In terms of accessibility, the designed slopes, alleyways and walkways are mobility-friendly, requiring low physical effort exploring. The range of access is purposefully made to foster a sense of community and identity within this new natural hallmark, all landscaped areas observe the principles of accessibility.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the initiative and civil society have been/will be involved in the initiative and what has been/will be the impact of this involvement on the initiative
The local community will benefit from a new modern public space that connects them to nature and provides social interactions in nature: new meeting points for young groups of friends, dating landmarks, family destination for relaxation, sports, picnics and immersive educational experiences.

Interview with local community members about the Urban Garden: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhYK0-a9igE

Please explain how different stakeholders at various levels (local, regional, national, European) were engaged in the design and implementation of the initiative.
In regard to the community's needs and the rising number of tourists attracted by the thermal waters of the touristic town, the Municipality of Tasnad contracted UNITH2B to create a Feasibility Study for an Urban Garden, which involves a detailed analysis and required studies of the land in order to pave the first steps towards an urban oasis with new sports facilities opened to the public. Moreover, the space preserves the existing deciduous forest as a leisure space for recreation and reconnecting with the nature.
New 3D Topographic maps were built by local topographers in collaboration with our architecture office, preliminary Geo-technical studies were carried out by regional collaborators and planting detailed plans according to the soil's chemical composition, local climate, local and European environmental laws, were delivered by our collaborators from Germany.
Furthermore, actions were taken by acquiring building permits and carrying out extensive Geo-technical studies towards obtaining a Building Authorization.

Please explain which disciplines and/ or knowledge fields were reflected in the design and implementation of your initiative. Please explain how representatives of these different fields interacted with each other, and what the added value of this process was
Multiple specialists representing different disciplines were involved in this project so far: architects, landscape architects, botanists, road engineers, structural engineers, installation engineers, Geo-technical engineers, Geo-technical experts, topographers, photographers and representatives of the municipality.
For us, architects, the first step of the project was to address the necessity of earthworks in order to balance the rather steep natural slope towards the South side of the Pisicii Hill.
Due to landslides recordings dating 30 years ago, an extensive Geo-technical survey is needed further on in order to assure accurate solutions for a stabilized ground during the building process, for which the municipality offered its full support.
Given the intent of the project and the particularities of the land, the policy of minimum disturbance of the soil and of the preexisting ecosystem lead the process of landscape design.
Irrigations were reduced to a minimum coverage, in controlled areas, so that properties downhill the Garden would not be endangered by possible landslides caused by over saturated ground and planting was done accordingly, enforcing the educational theme envisioned for Tasnad Garden regarding the importance of the native botanical heritage.
Earth terraces were planed in the Eastern part of the site, where topography and existing Geo-technical date allowed, in order to accommodate easy accessibility for all categories of age. They were also vital to ensure enough space for proper placement in regard to sun movement during the day for the outdoors sports facilities.
A thorough photographic investigation of the existing trees was made and the project took into account preserving as many of them as possible.

Please highlight the innovative character of the initiative, when compared to mainstream actions in the field of the initiative
Landscape design acts as an educational and learning tool to raise awareness among locals and tourists on endangered species and the importance of preserving native ecosystems through the experience of a year-round botanical exhibition. The mid-term goal is to support a paradigm shift and encourage both the locals and visitors of the Garden to support nature-based projects through educational means.

Please describe which elements of your initiative could be replicated or transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries and contexts. This may involve, for example, aspects of the methodology, technology, processes, products, learnings, etc.
Nature-conscious and low maintenance landscape architecture can be implemented further on as methodology for regional green public spaces design, setting an example on the basis of which landscape designing local guides can be drawn later on.

Please describe the methodology or approach used in your initiative.
Regarding the built environment, the approach is minimally invasive, paying special attention to the carbon footprint. Keeping in mind that it is a public space, obtaining minimum maintenance costs were taken into consideration.
The space is designed with nature-based solutions and materials in mind. Walking paths through the garden are created out of stabilized soil compacted in layers. They are permeable to water and have self-regeneration properties against surface wear and tear. Compacted soil was chosen due to the natural appearance they offer as well as the increased elasticity. Compared to asphalt or natural stone paving, compacted earth does not heat up as strongly in contact with the sun, so the heat released by the surface of the pavement is drastically reduced. Alleys will be built of compacted gravel bound by a binder and permeable to water, anti-slip, mechanical resistant and durable, at the same time having a lower cost compared to other covers.
We took into consideration space perception when designing the Garden, underlining a gradual immersion in the wilderness of nature. There are both public areas in the Garden as well as secluded ones, spread between larger patches of vegetation, providing an option both for enjoying the tranquility of nature and the thrill of sports.
As for the landscape design, the approach is creating awareness thorough beauty and joy about nearby ecosystems and their fragility that finally adds to a future cultural component of the Garden.

Please explain what kind of global challenges the initiative addresses by providing local solutions
Saving endangered native species of plants and raising awareness with regards to their benefits and beauty through landscape design of public spaces.

Please detail the scope of progress in the implementation of the initiative. This can include already demonstrated results/outputs related to the chosen Prizes category, and the already achieved benefits from the initiative for direct and indirect beneficiaries. This can also include a development plan of the initiative, with a particular attention to the steps envisaged in the year following the application, and including envisaged results and benefits from the initiative
The mid-term goal for this project is to use naturally immersive designed spaces in order to educate the local community as well as tourists about the benefits of forgotten native species, and to preserve endangered species throughout the future. The number of tourists that visit the city of Tasnad doubles that of the population over the weekend, so we strongly believe it will reach a broad audience of all ages and from all walks of life.

Please provide documents that demonstrate the maturity level of the initiative and commitment to implement the initiative in practice (e.g.: evaluation report, final or mid-term initiative report, certification, publications, building permit, grant agreement, letter of support, partnership agreement, etc.)
PDF
PDF
- pdf-1-13422.pdf
- pdf-1-13422_0.pdf
If relevant, please describe how your initiative contributes to developing new competences, especially in the context of the European competence framework on sustainability.
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Please attach at least 6 high resolution images or visual representations of your initiative to your application.
If you would like to upload additional documentation, please upload or write below.
By submitting your application you confirm that you are the copyright owner of the images provided and that they can be used by the European Commission for the purposes of promoting the New European Bauhaus on all platforms (websites, print, social media and other).
Yes

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Yes

By submitting this application, I declare that I am not related to the entities subject to EU restricted measures under Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and subject to Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU)1, and entities covered by Commission Guidelines No 2013/C 205/05), which are not eligible to participate in any capacity.
Yes

By ticking this box, you declare that all the information provided in this form is factually correct, that you assume sole liability in the event of a claim relating to the activities carried out in the framework of the contest, that the proposed initiative has not been proposed for the New European Bauhaus Prizes in any other category or strand and that it has not been subject to any type of investigation, which could lead to a financial correction because of irregularities or fraud.
Yes

By submitting your application, you guarantee that you are the author or have the rights to proceed with the application and to authorise the use of the initiative and that you have obtained any necessary consents, licenses or assignments from third parties and included copyright notices when necessary
Yes

By submitting your application, you understand that all the applications that meet the eligibility requirements will be shared for the purposes of the selection processes, and notably published on the secured platform prizes.new-european-bauhaus.eu and for the purposes of the promotion of these on the New European Bauhaus website and/or other European Commission communication channels. In this sense, the applications would be widely available. Applicants should ensure that they present their initiatives, initiative, in such a way that they could be shared without giving rise to intellectual property related concerns. If your submission is selected as one of the finalists, it will additionally be shared for the purpose of the public vote that will take place. The European Union is granted a licence to use and share your application with the general public and the official external experts for the purposes of the selection process, including the voting. The European Union has the right to use the images and visual materials and the description provided in the application for communication purposes related to the contest and beyond. Rights granted comprise the right to store, reproduce, display, publish and communicate or distribute copies in electronic or digital format, including, but not only, through the internet. Unless you have disclosed your name, the European Commission has no obligation to share your name when using or disseminating your contribution to the public. The European Union cannot be held responsible in case any submitted initiative, initiative is found to infringe third party’s rights. The European Union shall be neither responsible for the use that third parties may do of the applications or related content.
Yes

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you read and understand that the ‘Guide to Applicants’ of the NEB Prizes 2023, available online in the website of the NEB Prizes 2023, is an integral part of this application form and that it must therefore be observed when completing and submitting your application.
Yes