New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023

Project category

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

Email user
martin.vysoky@edges.se

Basic information
Project title
From grey into bluegreengrey

Full Project Title
Reconnecting with nature and its processes in our streetscapes

Please provide a short, catchy description of your project to be used in communication towards the public.
The Rundelsgatan in Velligen use to be a space mainly for traffic - dominated with impermeable hard surfaces that lead stormwater without treatment into sewer system. Today the street is safe space where rainwater is managed on site in way that new biodiverse plantations with trees can use it as resource. The result is lush green street that provides with wide range of ecosystem services to its local residents that can experience the nature and its processes right in front of their doorstep!

What was the geographical scope of your project?
Cross-border/international

Where was your project implemented?
Location 1
Sweden

Location 2
Czechia

Member State(s), Western Balkans and other countries
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If relevant, insert names of region(s)/municipality(ies) involved
Vellinge kommun

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

Does your project 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 project benefited from EU programmes and/or funds?
No

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

Is your project fully completed
Yes

Please indicate a date (mm/yy)
2018-01-30

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): Edge
  Type of organisation: For-profit company
  First name of representative: Martin
  Last name of representative: Vysoky
  Gender: Male
  Nationality: Czechia
  Function: Landscape architect
  Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Strandgatan 14
  Town: Limhamn
  Postal code: 21612
  Country: Sweden
  Direct Tel: +46734393902
  E-mail: martin.vysoky@edges.se
  Website: https://bluegreengrey.edges.se/
Social Media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)
- URL: https://www.facebook.com/edges.se
In case my project 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 project in the channels of the European Commission.
Yes

How did you hear about the New European Bauhaus Prizes?
Social Media

Description of the project
Please provide a summary of your project.
On Rundelsgatan the sidewalk and the traffic lanes are paved with asphalt. This kind of surface traditionally generates rainwater runoff that flows directly into the sewer system without local treatment. The design brief for this project was to apply nature based solutions know as Bluegreengrey systems in order to increase street safety and at the same time create new stormwater functions to manage rainwater on site while providing generous rootspace for new trees.

Blue Green Grey System is nature-based technology for designing multifunctional spaces where elements like Blue (water) Green (vegetation) and Grey (hard surfaces) are integrated in a way that function in close synergy. The result is a more beautiful, healthy and climate resilient urban environemnt that is better prepared for future challenges.

Please indicate the main themes of your project with 5 key words.
nature-based solutions

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
climate adaptation

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
biodiversity

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
sustainable stormwater management

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
circular economy

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of sustainability and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
The natural water cycle has been disturbed within the modern
urban environment,where there is heavy competition for a
relatively small amount of space. Previously,trees had the
space to extend their roots so that rainwater could seep to
them through the ground, but decades of urban construction
have created dense superstructures above impermeable
surfaces. This kind of environment lacks both adequate space
for planting as well as natural water management.
Disregarding circumstances which are crucial for vegetation
and stormwater management during city planning causes a
number of costly problems. High water flows and floods
alternate with damage from drought. Roots destroy
construction as they seek better growing conditions.
Continued expansion and densification of cities causes an
increase of stormwater and the need to replace existing
pipes. Climate change and increased demand for both water
purification , and better overflow management are also
consequences of increased density.
To address the complexities of cities both today and
tomorrow, urban environments require smart infrastructure
that can address multiple issues at the same time. Building
separate solutions for each function becomes costly and
space consuming. Instead, stormwater management and
planting beds can coexist with hard surfaces and their
intrinsic requirements for traffic loads and a safe
environment. In this way a greener, more attractive urban
environment is created which lowers the risk of flooding and
damage from drought.
BGG systems contribute to better stormwater
management by:
• Regulating stormwater flows, reducing flood risk,
purifying stormwater
BGG systems improve conditions for
vegetation by:
• Creating large volumes for planting beds, Enabling
gas exchange in planting beds, Increasing water access
BGG systems additionally:
• Create aesthetically pleasing and appealing
streetscapes, Lower temperatures of urban streets,
Function as a carbon sink

Please give information about the key objectives of your project 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 project can be exemplary in this context.
BGG projects can be built with natural elements that are
designed for public use and with attention to beauty and
aesthetics. By providing main function of plant and retention
zone underground we create good growing conditions for
trees even in extremely dense environments. As a result the
vegetation can provide a strong sensorial experience to
people who use public spaces.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project 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 project can be exemplary in this context.
When BGG is well-integrated in the urban space, it acts as a
strong motivator for social interaction. It provides with public
space where people can engage in recreation and be
physically active – alone, in social groups, or with their
families. People can use BGG to engage with their own social
networks at the same time as they can look and see how
others spend their leisure time. It has strong benefits for
enhancing social interaction and integration, including:
• Increasing activity of people interacting in groups outdoors.
• Increasing people’s predisposition to spending time with
family and friends. Therefore, well-integrated BGG has many
social benefits, such as inspiring individuals to spend more
time with their relatives and friends and proving an
aesthetically pleasing space in which to interact.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the project and civil society have been involved in the project and what has been the impact of this involvement on the project
BGG provides many services that enhance human capital on
the citizen level. For instance, BGI provides natural spaces
that support more active lifestyles, the recreation of life
energy, the relief of work. A community having access to
nature has positive effects on mental refreshment through
stress relief and the reduction of sensory overload. These
effects are well documented for social spaces provided by
high-quality, well-integrated BGG. BGG helps urbanites feel
more connected to nature and other people – emotionally and
intellectually.

Please explain how different stakeholders at various levels (local, regional, national, European) were engaged in the design and implementation of the project. Please highlight what the added value of their engagement was.
If necessarly can provide later.

Please explain which disciplines and/ or knowledge fields were reflected in the design and implementation of your project. Please explain how representatives of these different fields interacted with each other, and what the added value of this process was.
If necessarly can provide later.

Please give information on the results, outcomes and impacts achieved by your project in relation to the category you apply for. This includes also benefits from the project for direct and indirect beneficiaries
IMPACT ON CARBON DIOXIDE REDUCTION WITH BIOCHAR
In a BGG System carbon dioxide can be stored as biochar at a
possible amount of 135-300 ton CO2e/ha.
IMPACT ON WATER FLOW
Stormwater flow is slowed by raingardens but is also
safeguarded by flow regulators in control pits. This results in a
stormwater outflow is 5-30 l/s/ha including climate factor 1.25.
IMPACT ON RETENTION
The system is dimensioned for at least a 30-year rainfall
including climate factor 1.25. The system can retain 40-100
mm of precipitation from the street including front yards and
50% of roof runoff from nearby properties.
IMPACT ON POLLUTION LOAD
BGG systems purifywater with the help of biochar, plant roots,
microbiotic life, filtration and sedimentation, they are
expected to make a purification level of 70-80%.
IMPACT ON PLANTING AREA VOLUME AND WATER ACCESS
Planting areas in BGG systems are at least 15 m3 per tree,
and usually much larger. Roof runoff can be directed to
planting areas which improves access to water even during
drier periods. The system is adapted to be able to collect city
water (drainage and grey water) in the future.
IMPACT ON PLANTING AREAS
Systems contain a macadam-based growing medium which
has a simple grain structure that neither falls apart under
loads during construction nor in contact with road salt. This
creates improved growing conditions with good infiltration
and gas exchange qualities.

Please provide documents showing the results, outcomes and impacts of your project
Web link
Web link
- https://bluegreengrey.edges.se/project/rain-gardens-with-osl-on-rundelsgatan-in-vellinge/
Please highlight the innovative character of the project, when compared to mainstream actions in the field of the project
If necessarly can provide later.

Please describe the methodology or approach used in your project.
If necessarly can provide later.

Please describe which elements of your project could be replicated or transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries and context. This may involve for example aspects of the methodology, technology, processes, products, learnings etc.
If necessarly can provide later.

Please explain what kind of global challenges the project addresses by providing local solutions
If necessarly can provide later.
Please attach at least 6 high resolution images (or other types of visual representations, if images are not possible) to your application.
If you would like to upload additional documentation, please upload or write below
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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

By ticking this box, you declare that you are not in in one or more of the exclusion situations foreseen under Article 136 of the Financial Regulation.
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 project 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 project 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 projects, 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 project, 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