Healing gardens, boosting the regaining of fitness during cancer recovery
Cancer is a demanding disease, both physically and mentally. Gardening is assumed to have a positive influence on the recovery process of cancer patients. Gardening means being outside, being active, taking in sunlight, engaging fresh and healthy food, and looking towards the future.
Room for the river in densely populated areas
Countries in temperate zones are particularly susceptible to a range of climate change impacts: higher average temperatures, more extreme rainfall in shorter periods of time and longer periods of drought. Low-lying countries are also affected by rising sea-level. Some of these changes will be gradual, others more intense. The Netherlands are a classic example of a low-lying country in a temperate zone.
Coastal city waterfront adaptation to combat sea-level rise
Coastal cities are attractive, as they offer a more moderate climate, diverse natural ecosystems, access to water for commerce (ports) and recreation and an entryway to the hinterland, through rivers that connect with oceans. As many coastal cities are in low-lying areas and prone to land subsidence, they are vulnerable to coastal flooding and will only become more vulnerable in the face of rising sea-levels and more frequent storms. Cities, therefore, need to adapt themselves to these changes.
'Greening' privately owned urban areas
Our climate is changing. Increasingly we are dealing with enormous downpours, heat and periods of persistent drought. Heavy rain showers cause flooding. Drought and heat cause damage to infrastructure and lead to low groundwater levels. When citizens pave their surroundings such as gardens, this prevents water from sinking into the soil, builds up heat and has negative effects on the social well-being and health of humans, animals and nature. Therefore, 'greening' of gardens and public space in the cities is of utmost importance.