From a sharp edge to a reed bank – The beginning of a new era
Short description
How can Gothenburg’s hard quay edges be transformed into living waterfront zones that both protect the city from climate change and create new habitats for plants and animals?
The project will develop and test nature-based solutions along the Göta River. By using recycled materials from construction and infrastructure projects, the project will investigate how soft shoreline zones, reefs and other structures can contribute to climate adaptation, biodiversity and attractive environments for people.
A physical testbed will be established in the Frihamnen area, where solutions can be developed, tested and evaluated under real-world conditions. The project brings together researchers, the public sector, the construction industry and architects to integrate ecological, technical and social perspectives.
The University of Gothenburg is leading the scientific evaluation of how the solutions affect biodiversity and ecosystem services in and near the water.
Purpose
The project aims to:
- develop and test nature-based solutions for climate adaptation in urban aquatic environments along the Göta River
- investigate how recycled materials can be used to create living shoreline zones and other nature-based structures
- develop solutions that simultaneously enhance biodiversity, ecosystem services and social values
- develop methods that can be scaled up and applied in Gothenburg and other coastal cities.
Objectives
The objective is to develop and validate a system solution for climate-adapting existing quays using nature-based solutions and circular materials.
The project will, among other things, develop physical prototypes and a framework of indicators for evaluating technical and environmental requirements, costs, biodiversity, ecosystem services and social values.
In the longer term, the ambition is to contribute to a connected blue-green infrastructure along the Göta River that can manage rising water levels and cloudbursts, while at the same time creating habitats for species and attractive places for people.
Research questions
The project investigates, among other things:
- How can nature-based solutions be designed to contribute to both climate adaptation and increased biodiversity in urban environments?
- Which species, structures and materials are suitable given the ecological conditions in the Göta River?
- How are biodiversity and ecosystem functions affected when hard quay environments are complemented or replaced by more diverse habitats?
- How can circular materials be used in nature-based solutions without compromising ecological, environmental or technical requirements?
- How can ecological and social values be balanced with technical and economic requirements when planning the quay environments of the future?
Research at the University of Gothenburg
The University of Gothenburg is responsible for research and evaluation of biodiversity in and near the water.
In the first part of the project, the researchers will conduct a systematic review of the scientific knowledge on methods that can promote biodiversity. At the same time, a baseline survey will be carried out to document the species and ecological conditions present in the area before the measures are implemented.
The researchers will then participate in the development and testing of prototypes and investigate which methods and species are suited to the conditions at the site, such as water depth, salinity and existing species.
To measure the results, biodiversity and environmental indicators will be compared before and after the measures are implemented, as well as with nearby reference sites. The methods include genetic environmental monitoring using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Systems (ARMS) and underwater video using Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV), combined with computer-based image analysis.
From prototype to the waterfront of the future
The testbed will provide knowledge about what actually works in a real urban environment. The results will then be used to develop recommendations for how the solutions can be scaled up.
The project will also develop a shared vision for the future, showing how large-scale implementation could transform the waterfront. The vision will be presented both in writing and visually and used as a basis for dialogue with decision-makers and the public.
The ambition is for the experience gained in Gothenburg to be applicable elsewhere. Many European coastal cities face similar challenges related to rising water levels, former industrial harbours, hard-engineered quay environments and the need for more circular management of construction materials.