Rivers by Design

Rethinking development and river restoration

Restoring Europe’s Rivers
A guide for planners, developers, architects and landscape
architects on maximising the benefits of river restoration

Restoring Europe’s Rivers

This guide has been written and prepared by RESTORE. Case study material has been supplied by
RESTORE partners. All pictures have been supplied by RESTORE and the River Restoration Centre
unless otherwise specified.

RESTORE is a partnership for sharing knowledge and promoting best practice on river restoration
in Europe. It is supported by LIFE+ funding from the European Commission and works closely
together with the European Centre for River Restoration (ECRR).

RESTORE encourages the restoration of European rivers towards a more natural state. This
delivers increased ecological quality, flood risk reduction, and social and economic benefits.

This guide has been written with the contribution of the LIFE+ financial instrument of the
European Community working in partnership with ECRR.

Published by:

Environment Agency, Horizon House, Deanery Road, Bristol BS1 5AH

Email: [email protected]
www.environment-agency.gov.uk

© Partners of the Restore Project 2013

This work is copyright. This work may be reproduced in whole or in part, provided that it is
not sold or used in any way for commercial benefit, and that the source and author of any

Restoring Europe’s Rivers

material used is acknowledged.

Further copies of this guide are available from: http://www.restorerivers.eu

Email:[email protected].

Disclaimer: The publishers, authors and the organisations participating in this publication
accept no liability whatsoever for damage arising from interpretation or use of the
information, or reliance upon views contained herein.

Restoring Europe’s Rivers

Front cover photo by ©SYKE/RESTORE, Rekolanoja Brook, Vantaa, Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
Contents

Foreword by Bart Fokkens 4

1 Introduction 5

2 Who this guide is for and how it works 6

3 What is river restoration and why do we need it? 6

4 The benefits of improving our rivers 8

5 Policy and legislation 10

6 Economic value and funding river restoration projects 11

7 How to get started 12

8 What do you want to achieve? 13

9 A community approach to planning 15

10 Designing sustainable schemes 17

11 Effective project delivery 19

12 Sharing best practice 21

13 Case studies 23

Further information on planning projects 40

Glossary41

Bibliography and further reading 43

Foreword by Bart Fokkens
'River restoration' describes a wide range of activities aimed at restoring the natural
state and functioning of rivers and the water environment.

Restoring a river’s natural conditions brings considerable benefits for people and the environment, from
improving wellbeing by creating attractive landscapes to ensuring a healthy, thriving ecosystem. Restoration
has become increasingly popular worldwide and, as the case studies in this document demonstrate, there has
been a substantial improvement in river restoration techniques over the last few decades.

The most widespread pressures on rivers in the past have been caused by inappropriate development in
floodplains, dam construction for hydropower, improvements for navigation, land drainage, flood protection
and over abstraction of water. Integrating effective spatial planning within future development, therefore,
has a key role to play in securing the restoration and enhancement of Europe's rivers.

Recent European Environment Agency reports for the EU Water Framework Directive show that currently only
43% of European rivers are at 'good ecological status'. The river basin management plans for these rivers
show that by 2015 at least 53% should achieve this standard. This means substantial improvements to our
rivers are planned for the next two years.

"Integrating effective spatial planning within future development has a key role to play in
securing the restoration and enhancement of Europe's rivers."
Bart Fokkens

These improvements will often be in highly urbanised and industrialised or intensively used agricultural areas.
This will be a great challenge to developers, architects and planners and will require innovative planning
approaches, creative design concepts and effective project delivery. Engaging with local communities can be
highly conductive to making these improvements happen.

This river restoration publication is a useful guide for planners, designers and developers, providing practical
advice and information on restoring and protecting rivers and sharing best practice case study examples of
projects that have been successfully implemented across Europe.

Bart Fokkens is the Chairman of the European Centre for River Restoration, a pan European network of
national river restoration centres and other members bound by a common mission to promote and enhance
river restoration throughout Europe.

Rivers by Design 4
1 Introduction

©RRC

As our towns and cities have grown and the way in which we use the land has changed,
we have spent enormous amounts of money, time and effort altering our rivers.

Rivers have been straightened and culverted to provide flood protection and to make maximum use of land
for housing, industry and agricultural use. As a result of this activity the European Environment Agency said
in 2012 that "there are many national examples illustrating that a large proportion of waters have been
significantly modified. For example, only 21% of German rivers are still in their natural state or are only
slightly to moderately altered."

These changes have often led to rivers losing their economic value and created problems of flood management,
drainage, waste management and a lack of quality open space.

To halt the damage being done to the water environment and bring our rivers back to life it is vital that future
development is well located, planned and designed.

"Between 1998 and 2009, floods in Europe caused 1126 deaths, displaced
half a million people and cost €52 billion."
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/flood_risk/index.htm

Rivers by Design 5
2 Who this guide is
for and how it works

©Stockton Borough Council

This guide is designed to show planners, architects and developers the crucial role that they
can play in river restoration.

It provides practical advice and information aimed at maximising the ecological, social and economic benefits of
development by integrating water management into the planning and design of development at all scales.

The document explains the context and need for river restoration and provides guidance on planning projects to
make sure sustainable development is achieved.

A series of case studies, provided by RESTORE demonstrate successful examples of how well located, planned and
designed development can increase ecological quality, reduce flood risk and create social and economic benefits
such as improved recreational facilities and public spaces.

3 What is river
restoration and
why do we need it?
©RRC

River restoration aims to improve the quality and function of rivers and to restore them to
support healthy and thriving ecosystems.

There are different degrees of restoration. On a larger scale, a restoration project might include the entire floodplain,
removing past structures and restoring more natural processes and channel forms to the watercourse. On a smaller
scale, restoration might be simply removing the hard banks and replacing these with more natural features. Even using
systems such as green roofs can contribute to restoration by enhancing sustainable drainage and biodiversity.

It is important to think about river restoration wherever development is taking place and at whatever scale.

Rivers by Design 6
What has happened to our rivers?
The changes to our rivers to meet the demands of development over many years have taken their toll on the natural
environment. Typical problems include:

4
5

2
3

1 Poor drainage: rain now falls onto hard surfaces such as roofs, paving and roads and drains quickly into the river
system increasing storm flows and runoff increasing the potential for flooding. This can also quickly enter sewerage
systems risking overload and flooding.
2 Development within the floodplain: housing, industry, infrastructure and agriculture can lead to greater flood risk,
loss of habitats and biodiversity.
3 River profile: raising river banks, culverting and straightening were used to try and reduce flooding and drain land.
They might have solved a local problem but they often put pressure on the watercourse and downstream land.
4 Water supplies: abstracting water from rivers, canals, reservoirs, lakes or underground aquifers to provide public
water supply for agriculture and industry. Over abstraction can lead to problems such as drying-out of watercourses
and wetlands and sinking water tables.
5 Pollution: waste dumping, chemicals from industry, sediment, pesticides and fertilisers from agriculture and drainage
from roads containing oil are all contributors to river pollution, leading to loss of water quality and biodiversity.

Rivers by Design 7
4 The benefits
of improving
our rivers
©London Borough of
Barking and Dagenham

Healthy rivers are good for people and for the environment. Restoring our rivers can improve
water quality, tackle flooding and pollution and secure water supplies, as well as enhancing
the natural environment for plants and animals.

In this section we outline some of the general benefits of naturally functioning rivers and focus specifically on the
ways planners and developers can contribute to, and benefit from, river restoration.

A better quality of life

By providing new green spaces, people can reconnect with nature and enjoy recreation opportunities, which
benefits their health and improves their sense of wellbeing.

Reducing polluting run-off into rivers means better quality water, improving health and cutting the costs of
purifying water.

"Diffuse pollution from agriculture remains a major cause of the poor water quality currently
observed in parts of Europe. Agriculture contributes 50-80 % of the total nitrogen load
observed in Europe’s freshwater, with point discharges, including from wastewater treatment
plants, providing much of the remainder"
European Environment Agency, 2010

Makes economic sense

With less risk of flooding, the costs of maintaining flood protection schemes are reduced, while better water quality
means lower treatment costs for drinking water.

Nurtures new habitats

Re-establishing natural river channels and creating wetlands improves biodiversity.

Better flood protection

Restoring floodplains increases flood storage capacity and reduces volume and speed of water. This improves the
likelihood that urban settlements will be able to better mitigate flood risk.

Tackles climate change

Climate change is leading to more flood prone areas and more droughts that threaten homes, businesses and
ecosystems. Restoring rivers creates new floodplains for increased water storage, green networks and increasing
biodiversity and more natural spaces to provide refuge for people and wildlife from higher summer temperatures.
Rivers by Design 8
The benefits of river restoration to land use professionals
The table below shows the range of benefits river restoration can bring for those involved in the planning and
development process.

We have separated the benefits between planning and development, as the main focus for planners will be to meet
government targets, while developers aim to maximise their investment and profits.

Benefits Planning Development

1. Improved open spaces Opportunities for river restoration High quality design – improved
in parks and open spaces sales and reputation

More communal space, increased Support from planning authorities
access and recreational facilities

Opportunities for education

2. Sustaining habitats and Integral part of successful eco-strategies: adaptable, resilient environment
species and contributing to
biodiversity Conserves local variation and existing habitats

3. Partnership working Involving local people and businesses in decisions about their environment
and homes through consultation

Opportunities to promote jobs and training in construction for local people

Reduces local opposition

Opportunities for match funding

4. Improved drainage techniques Natural drainage techniques in line with national planning policy

Improved water quality

Drainage incorporated into landscape (also improves landscape resiliency)

Reduced risk of flooding by using Long-term costs of drainage
sustainable drainage systems maintenance reduced

5. Improved water and soil quality Decrease in pollution

Decrease in taxes spent on water

purification and soil decontamination

6. Economic benefits Encourages regeneration and business growth

Increased land and property values

7. Government, regional and Achieves aims of national and local planning policy (water quality,
local policy restoration of habitats)

Helps determine outcome of planning applications (planning permission

granted or refused based on quality of environment and restoration achieved)

Contributes to wider aims of good spatial planning

Rivers by Design 9
5 Policy and
legislation

©State Office for Water Management, Munich

Europe's rivers and other waterbodies are protected through a framework of European and
national policy and legislation.

Below are the key European river restoration policies and supporting legislation that inform the development of
spatial plans.

Water Framework Directive

The Water Framework Directive, adopted in 2000, is the key piece of European legislation supporting river restoration.
It introduced an integrated approach to water management through the development of river basin management
plans and aims to restore Europe’s rivers, lakes, small waterbodies and wetlands to good ecological status.

River basin management plans (RBMPs) are aimed at protecting and improving the water environment. These plans
contain the main issues for the water environment and the actions needed to tackle them.

Further information can be found on the European Commission's website

Floods Directive
This requires member states to assess the risk of flooding from all watercourses and coastlines. The extent of
flooding together with the risk to people and assets are being mapped. Flood risk management plans focusing on
prevention, protection and preparedness are being drawn up in accordance with these maps.

EU Floods Directive

Habitats Directive
The EU Habitats Directive supports river restoration across Europe. It aims to protect the wild plants, animals and
habitats that make up our diverse natural environment.

The directive created a network of protected areas around the European Union of national and international
importance known as Natura 2000 sites.

Habitats Directive

Rivers by Design 10
6 Economic value
and funding river
restoration projects
©RRC

An attractive water environment is a valuable asset. It makes economic and environmental

sense to design and construct developments working with the natural environment.

Lack of funding is often cited as a key reason for failing to consider the restoration of watercourses and rivers, but
there are many potential sources of funds including the EU LIFE programme, environmental organisations and
government bodies.

Many funding streams support integrated initiatives that look at both social and environmental concerns. River
restoration schemes are well placed to exploit these funds because of their ability to provide a wide range of
social, economic and environmental benefits.

Natural space can increase property values and reduce healthcare costs. Views and access to waterways can
increase the value of property as well as helping to sustain values over and the long-term and improving the
image of regeneration sites. This can be seen, for instance, in the Mayesbrook Park restoration project which
is highlighted in the case studies in this guide. A calculation made by the Environment Agency estimates that
Mayesbrook Park will bring up to seven times the €4.6million cost of the project over the next 40 years. Most of
the benefits will be in health, recreation and tourism (Environment Agency, UK 2011)

"Improved landscapes and views of waterways can increase property values by

between 6-8%."
Source: Does Money Grow on Trees, CABE Space, 2005 and Biodiversity by Design, TCPA

Planning how the water space will be used at the start of the process will help with costs. If changes are necessary
late on in the project, designs will become more restricted and potentially costly. For example, fitting hard
flood defences retrospectively is more costly than designing land levels within the landscaping to protect the
development.

While developing an area, improvements to the water environment can be secured from the landowners’ increase
in land value and as part of development agreements. The resourcing of ongoing management also needs to be
considered from the outset. Revenue funding can be secured in a number of different ways relating to specific river
space or as part of community-wide green spaces. A trust could be formed, the residents could pay service charges,
or partnerships could be established with the knowledge and skills to manage the river and any green space.

Rivers by Design 11
7 How to
get started

©RRC

The following sections provide a step-by-step guide on how to get started in

incorporating river restoration in your development project. The approach you
take will vary depending on the scope of the project.

There are five steps you need to consider:

1 What do you want to achieve?

2 A community approach to planning

3 Designing sustainable schemes

4 Effective project delivery

5 Sharing best practice

The following sections look at each of these areas, providing useful and practical advice and
guidance to help your development successfully and sustainably meets the needs of local people
and the local environment.

Rivers by Design 12
8 What do you
want to achieve?

©Nicholas Pearson Associates

Considering what opportunities may be feasible at an early stage of your project and
incorporating them into your design will increase the likelihood of public support, and may
help to increase the potential value of the site.

Policies are now emerging across Europe to make sure goods and services that the environment provides us, like
clean air and good quality water, are valued alongside goods such as food. Many governments have committed to
what is known as an 'ecosystem services approach'. Ecosystem services are the benefits provided by the natural
world such as clean water, air and soil. It can also refer to intangible benefits these services offer such as well-being
and happiness. Guidance on this issue is now widely available. The Mayesbrook Park restoration project is a good
example of this approach in practice where the value and benefits of the scheme were assessed.

Typical benefits of river restoration

Improved quality of housing and landscape

Improved sustainable transport - footpaths and cycleways, jogging

Opportunities for education and informal learning about the environment

Having a positive impact on people's health and well-being

Climate change adaptation and reduction in flood risk

Improving the river corridor and green space networks

Increasing access to nature and recreation

Improving biodiversity

Addressing water quality and land drainage

Rivers by Design 13
What are your aims?
It can be a challenge incorporating different aims within your project, but implementing a scheme that has a wide
range of benefits for people and the environment is likely to mean greater public support. This table briefly describes
the different areas you can focus on. We have provided a case study to illustrate each point.

Access and recreation Restoration schemes present opportunities to incorporate areas for walkers,
cyclists, families and other groups. Involving all groups using the area will
be a great help. The ‘Urban River Concept’ on the Isar River in Munich
provides a river for people and wildlife.

Green space Local neighbourhoods benefit from attractive, accessible and safe
environments where people can get closer to nature. Restoration can
help create quality natural environments. A riverside access and flood
protection project on the River Marden in Calne town centre has proven
popular, serving as a focal point for local events.

Biodiversity Encourage natural colonisation and utilise existing habitats wherever

possible. Wetland areas for example can store and filter water, capture
carbon, provide food and fuel, and support a wealth of uniquely adapted
wildlife. The Ciobarciu Wetland Project led to a significant improvement
in the ecological value of grassland, which had been disconnected from the
river.

Heritage and cultural environment Accentuate features of archaeological or heritage importance. Evidence
of the historic river channel by using old maps can help guide restoration
work. A case study on the River Vidå illustrates the need for careful
planning when considering fish passage and heritage.

Education A restored environment can provide valuable opportunities for learning.

Signage should be eye-catching, artistic and straightforward. Launch
events are a good way to communicate the project to the public. The
Cheonggyecheon stream project in Seoul is hailed as a world leading
urban greening project, which has had a profound impact in educating a
population of more than 25 million people about the importance of green
and blue corridors.

Natural flood risk management Natural flood risk management can offer more than traditional hard
engineered approaches. Carrying out a feasibility survey to identify any
site-specific hazards is important in helping you decide which approach to
take. Re-connecting a river with its floodplain has improved the coverage of
floodplain forest on the River Great Ouse, habitat that has been in decline
across Europe.

Maintenance costs Restoration of the Ritobäcken Brook in Finland was a good example of a
low cost, sustainable approach to drainage. If viable, discharge rainwater
through ditches and swales linking into the river to create a variety of
habitats. Bad drainage design, such as poorly designed outfalls may lead
to localised erosion, an increase in flood risk or habitat degradation.

Be creative and consider all possibilities when thinking what your project could achieve.

Rivers by Design 14
9 A community
approach to
planning
©SYKE

Understanding the needs of local people and involving them from the outset in the planning
and design of your project is vital to its success.

It is important to deliver projects that benefit people and wildlife - multi-faceted schemes ensure better value
for money

Effective local planning

To help you gather the detailed information and local knowledge you need about the proposed area for your site,
including current pressures, risks to watercourses and opportunities to improve the local environment, it is important
to liaise with local experts.

Try and incorporate your project within existing planning strategies and neighbourhood plans. Speak to your local
authority and/or environmental body to find out about plans already in place in the area you're interested in.

Involving and consulting with the public

Local people are a very important and often undervalued resource in helping design, implement and maintain the
site. Consultations should focus on what local people and businesses want, and their impressions and understanding
of what can be achieved. Involving and consulting with them brings a number of benefits:

• Encourages local interest – communities are well informed about policies affecting them in their area. This is an
important factor in creating a sense of ownership of the finished project.

• Fosters partnership working – local groups know the area best.

• Can offer a fresh insight into how to approach problems.

©RRC ©Environment Agency

Recreation is an important part of local community life. Public event on flood risk, England
Rivers by Design 15
Local people are a very important and often
undervalued resource in helping design, implement
and maintain the site.

Involving interested groups

Seeking the views and priorities of all groups and organisations that have a vested interest in the location will
ensure that you consider everyone's needs and priorities. While a private organisation funding a project may wish to
demonstrate corporate environmental responsibility, the priority for local people and the local municipal authority
will be in providing services that benefit local communities. Below is a list of some other organisations that may wish
to be involved.

Organisation Involvement

Rivers trust, wildlife trust, River conservation and education and facilitate volunteers and resources
voluntary organisations

Local authority/ council/ municipality Project management or steer, local partnership broker

Environmental body Project management or steer, statutory consultee

Academic institution Project monitoring

Non-departmental public body Statutory consultee and project advisor

Design organisation Project design and planning

Private Environmental corporate responsibility support funding

Local community liaison Represent local community aspirations

Landowners, local people Long-term support for the project and knowledge of the local area
and businesses

Try and incorporate your project within existing

planning strategies and neighbourhood plans.

Rivers by Design 16
 ©State Office for Water Management, Munich

10 Designing
sustainable
schemes

Successfully creating a project that will be sustainable in the long term depends on
combining the advice and support of a specialist team, working together with natural river
processes and in partnership with local authorities and groups.

Creating a specialist team

Depending on the scope and nature of your project, you will need to bring together the skills, advice and support
of a number of specialists. It is important to work with these experts at the start of a project so that its full
possibilities can be achieved.

Archaeologist/ heritage professional

Shares knowledge of local heritage and culture to help guide project planning and restoration.

Biologist/ecologist
Checks that project approach and restoration techniques benefit habitats and species found at the site and
within the catchment. They also help shape the design.

Community contact
A trusted locally based contact between the project team and the public, and decision-making.

Construction contractor
Makes sure the project is completed on time and budget.

Design engineer
Inputs into designs and is available to answer any questions on-site to steer works.

Geomorphologist
Provides advice on river channel and floodplain regarding morphology, sediment and natural river processes.
Also advises on project design.

Hydrologist
Expert knowledge about river flow, floods, drought and groundwater systems and how these interrelate.

Landscape architect
Gives direction on project design, landscape and planting.

Project manager
Has overall responsibility for the project, day-to-day management, controlling budgets and communicating
with specialists and the public.

Site supervisor
Makes sure everyone meets their health and safety responsibilities on- and off-site.
Rivers by Design 17
Making the benefits last – the importance of maintenance
Maintenance may be necessary to make sure the project continues to provide sustainable benefits. You must make
sure you:

• Liaise with landowners, local people, the local authority and statutory organisations to maintain the restored site.

• Develop links with local people who may be able to act as stewards on your behalf.

• Suggest building in repeat site visits after the project is completed and include this within the project budget so
unforeseen problems can be identified and dealt with. Clients may appreciate this level of support.

Working with natural processes

Working with natural processes means 'taking action to manage the risk of flooding and coastal erosion by
protecting, restoring and emulating the natural regulating function of catchments, rivers, floodplains and coasts'
(Environment Agency, 2010).

It is widely accepted that flood risk cannot be managed by simply building bigger and taller hard flood defences.
Sustainable 'soft engineering' approaches must be considered. More space can be made for water through, for
example, widening river corridors.

©Dave Brady ©RRC

Sourcing materials locally and implementing measures Natural flood alleviation scheme, River Skerne
to mimic natural processes to provide more sustainable restoration project, UK
environments.

Rivers by Design 18
11 Effective project delivery

©RRC

This section offers useful advice and tips to make sure your works stay on track. It is
also important that you recognise that local projects can also have an impact across
the whole catchment.

Top tips to a successful project

• Identify key masterplan aims and look at site specific options. Consider existing and future use of site.
• Involve experienced contractors and consultants from an early stage to steer the design of an
appropriate scheme.
• Confirm funding delivery mechanism at the start to ensure effective delivery of project.
• Manage the expectations of different audiences, including the project team and the public.
• Work with appropriate organisations to produce technical specifications for river restoration designs,
products and materials.
• Use locally sourced sustainable materials if feasible and appropriate.
• Plant only where necessary. Natural recolonisation will normally establish a more sustainable landscape.
• Where possible use softer solutions. Look to the surrounding area to guide your design.

There are many different elements to a successful project. Most importantly look at the following:

Masterplanning
• Key masterplan aims
• Identify key problems and issues by talking to local authorities and landowners and those with expertise
• Look at options for site, considering existing and future users
• Discuss options with users and partners

Construction
Follow a construction code during development to minimise adverse effects on wildlife and the environment. Be
aware of animal breeding seasons and spawning areas and plan works accordingly. Minimise disturbance to plant
life by erecting temporary barriers.

Utilising drainage ditches

Drainage ditches, or small streams and ponds, allow developers the opportunity to achieve significant improvements
at low cost and with low effort. Benefits include:
Rivers by Design 19
• Reduction in flood risk by opening up (daylighting) a channel that may have been constrained in a culvert.
• Aesthetic improvements to the local area and improvements to the landscape.

Make sure you:

• Obtain local service maps (for example gas, electricity and sewer pipes) for your site.
• Identify misconnections from sewage and waste water pipes at an early stage and design a suitable and
sustainable solution.

Recognising that local works have a catchment-scale impact

Whilst from different countries, the two examples below emphasise the need to carry out works at a local scale, and
incorporate these within wider catchment-scale planning.

• Community led restoration schemes

In southern Finland, many small-scale brook restoration projects are carried out by local volunteers and fisheries
groups, who are keen to restore habitat for brown trout. Local municipalities (councils) and non-governmental
organisations (NGO) provide technical support and guidance.

The benefits include:

• Encourages greater local stewardship of rivers.
• Strengthens local community togetherness.
• Increases local volunteering opportunities.

• Catchment scale planning in practice

Le SAGE – Implementation in the Sèvre Nantaise basin, Loire Valley, France

'Le SAGE' refers to the programme of activities carried out in France in relation to the river basin management
planning cycle. Work was carried out in three stages:

1. Hydraulic and other technical criteria were used to assess structures in order to select appropriate sites where
restoration could take place.

2. Liaison with groups representing the local area. This included statutory agencies, water company
representatives and importantly local interest and recreational groups.

3. Social, economic and environmental criteria were used to prioritise sites where projects were feasible.
The 10 year process has improved relations between the environmental bodies and local groups. Restoration
work has been carried out at a majority of the prioritised sites across the basin.

©RRC

Local interest in the works.

Rivers by Design 20
12 Sharing best practice

©Cranfield University

Learning from others and sharing lessons and experience from your own work improves best
practice and may influence funding for similar schemes in the future.

Support and guidance

The RESTORE RiverWiki is a tool for sharing best practice and lessons learned. It showcases river restoration
examples from across Europe in a Wikipedia website that anyone can freely add to and edit. It provides project
data (including objectives, techniques and outcomes) as well as information on ecosystem benefits, stakeholder
participation and costs.

Learning lessons from other's schemes and documenting your own for all to see
Users are encouraged to:
• Search for suitable examples to help plan your project.

• Submit your own project to celebrate your success.

• Discuss the benefits of using certain techniques and approaches.

You can draw upon evidence and information such as green infrastructure guidance and strategies available at
European, national and regional scales in order to develop your approach. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/
nature/ecosystems/index_en.htm

Evaluation should be included in the costs of a project to avoid it being overlooked.

Gathering evidence of success
Under the Water Framework Directive, statutory agencies are responsible for routinely monitoring watercourses,
and it may be possible to use their data to evaluate the outcome of your project. In many EU countries, technical
universities and academic institutions may also be able to support project appraisal. You may wish to monitor public
perception or the cost-effectiveness of the scheme.

Benefits:
• Justifies the project spend.

• Effective way to demonstrate the benefits to clients, politicians and the general public.

• Outputs feed into future work and any modification to the project.

Rivers by Design 21
How to share good practice
• Share project benefits with the public.

• Demonstrate the project work you have carried out to the public and interested stakeholders with site tours,
seminars and exhibitions.

• Share information through industry accredited events and meetings.

• Add project to the RESTORE RiverWiki

©RESTORE

Realising the vision – site visits bring projects to life

Celebrating your successes

Benefits of communicating your project
• Increase in project exposure (awareness raising).

• Positive knock-on impact on available funding for similar schemes.

• Increased awareness of benefits of river restoration.

• May be used as an exemplar project or case study by other prospective developers.

• Continues to build the pool of available best practice for all to use.

Rivers by Design 22
13 Case studies
The following case studies draw on lessons from six different countries and could
potentially be applied in a variety of river settings. The projects are grouped according to
size, and illustrate how river restoration can be carried out at all scales, from the smallest
site to the catchment scale.

For further information about the project and case studies visit the
RESTORE Riverwiki.

Small scale – site specific projects

Restoring a natural river channel River access in a local urban setting Climate adaption and social benefits

Ritobäcken Brook, Finland P24 River Marden, UK P26 Mayes Brook, UK P28

Medium scale - river continuity and connectivity with floodplains

Balancing fish passage and heritage Natural flood risk management

River Vida, Denmark P30 River Great Ouse, UK P32

Large scale – river corridor and landscape planning

'Blue and green' river corridors Creating wetland and habitat Recreation, access and flood defence

Cheonggyecheon Stream,  P34 Ciobarciu Wetland, Romania P36 River Isar, Germany P38
South Korea

Rivers by Design 23
 CASE STUDY

Restoration of
Ritobäcken Brook
The restoration of Ritobäcken Brook was carried out to address flooding and to reduce the
need to maintain the river channel. This was achieved by cutting a new channel, which
allowed the river channel to carry more water. The risk of flooding has been reduced and
there have been improvements in wildlife and water quality.

Project summary ©SYKE © Kaisa Västilä

Location: Municipality of Sipoo,

Southern Finland
Length: 800m
Cost: €15,000, planning €2,500
Dates: 2010

Delivery A flood terrace was built on the left hand

Delivered through: Regional river bank. The right hand river bank was
Before – poor drainage and left untouched. Soil dug for the flood
environmental authority,
unstable river banks terrace was used on nearby fields.
Uusimaa ELY-centre.
Partners: Aalto University School
©SYKE
of Engineering, Jami Aho Ltd.

After – low flow water in the river all year round

Background and issues

• Poor drainage • Artificial channel due to dredging and straightening
in the past.
• Regular maintenance (such as dredging) necessary
• Poor habitat for fish caused by river banks being
• Unstable banks causing erosion and sediment build
eroded.
up in the river channel

• Agricultural areas frequently flooded.

Rivers by Design 24
 CASE STUDY

Step-by-step
1. A digger was used to excavate
the flood terrace above the
existing river channel, to allow
it to carry more water.

2. The excavated soil (2,500 m³)

was transported to nearby
arable land to fill in the lowest
areas.

Benefits
• Reduced risk of flooding to
nearby arable land.

• Less maintenance required

• Cost of maintenance is lower

as dredging and managing
vegetation is no longer needed.

• 2 stage channel with flood

terrace improves plant and
©Kimmo Lemetti
wildlife in agricultural areas.

• Quality of water has improved.

• Vegetation has stabilised the

bank, reducing erosion

• Wet channel year round better

for aquatic life

Lessons learned
• Low cost project delivered a sustainable approach to drainage.

• Excellent demonstration of a successful local project involving a number of partners.

• Interested groups were willing to test new ideas, which was extremely helpful for the project.

Project Contact: Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)

Rivers by Design 25
 CASE STUDY

River Marden, Calne

As part of a larger town centre regeneration project, the River Marden, which had previously
been straightened, was re-meandered and stone, gravel and planting were used to create
a more natural river channel. The project has reduced the risk of flooding in the town and
increased public access to the river.

Project summary
Location: Town centre at Calne, Background and issues
Wiltshire, UK • Artificial concrete channel - canalised and culverted.
Length: 100m
• Restricted access for the public.
Cost: Unknown
Dates: 1999 • Lack of local amenities and ‘sense of identity’.

Delivery
Delivered through: Part of €5.1M
town centre rejuvenation project,
led by district council.
Partners: RRC, Nicholas Pearson
Associates, Calne Town Centre
(local authority).
Visually pleasing Public access points Straightened
culverts to fit in with created on inside of channel
character of the town meanders re-meandered

Flood gates that can be closed off to prevent the town from flooding
during high water and prevents public access during these events

Rivers by Design 26
 CASE STUDY

Step-by-step
1. Redevelopment of Calne town
centre designed to give access
to the riverside.

2. Works: removing artificial

channel and weirs and
improving flood defence
standards, re-meandering river
to more natural form, using After – inner bend of each meander configured
to allow the public close access to the river ©NPA
natural stone to stabilise river
and bankside planting.
©RRC ©RRC
3. Local Castlefields Canal and
River Park Association (CARP)
set up to develop and improve
the environment, and provide
public amenities for recreation
and leisure.

After – river diverted and

Before – straightened river channel meandering channel created

Benefits Local stone slabs used to create ‘as natural’ river bed

• Improvement in public access and

amenity value.

• Developed a focal point for local

people.

• Reduced the risk of flooding.

• River channel no longer

constrained in a culvert – more ©NPA ©NPA
naturalised form and processes.

Improvements withstood the

floods of 2012 Calne annual charity duck race, 2007

Lessons learned
• Carried out as part of a town development project that has had numerous social, environmental
and economic benefits.

• Riverside access design has proven popular, serving as a focal point for local events.

Project Contact: River Restoration Centre

Rivers by Design 27
 CASE STUDY

Mayes Brook
restoration project
Mayesbrook Park is the UK’s first climate change adaption park. Reconnecting the river with
its floodplain has increased flood storage by one hectare. Restoration has improved access,
recreation and plant and wildlife for the local community. An ecosystem services study
estimated the project would produce a wide range of benefits.

Project summary Creation of a meandering

channel and wildflower meadow.
©RRC

Location: Mayesbrook, East

London, England
Length: 1600m
Cost: €3,800,000
Dates: 2008 (planning) - 2012,
Phase 2 of the park restoration
scheme (lake restoration) due to
start in 2014

Delivery
Delivered through: Multi-
partnership funding, including the
London Organising Committee of
the Olympic Games and a private
insurance firm. ©RRC
Partners: Thames Rivers Trust,
London Borough of Barking and
Dagenham, Environment Agency,
Natural England, Greater London
Authority, London Wildlife Trust
and Design for London, Royal
Society of Arts, SITA Trust, LOCOG. Inset – prior to the project.

Background and issues ©LBBD

• Concern over risk of flooding in a densely populated

part of East London.
• River hidden behind a metal fence – many locals did
not realise it was there.
• Crime and antisocial behaviour a major problem.
• Degraded park – poor and few public facilities.

Public consultation event at the park, 2009

Rivers by Design 28
 CASE STUDY
Note: T

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VIEWPO
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SPORTS
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OCCAS
©LBBD – the ca
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- such a
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Benefits
PROJECT

• Assessed over 40 years, the lifetime benefits of Maye

restoration were estimated at €31.2 million - a CLIENT

LBBD
benefit-to-cost ratio of 7:1. DRAWING

Land

• Vast improvement in plant and wildlife in the park. SCALE

1:5000

© COPY

• Successfully involved the public.

• Identifying misconnected waste water pipes should

improve the quality of water over time. ©Quartet Design
The Exc
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS Bucks

Lessons learned
• Creation of a river corridor and a wider ‘green network’, such as paths, parks and gardens, to create a
dramatically improved natural infrastructure. UK’s first ‘climate change adaption park’.

• Social benefits significant such as increased numbers of visitors and greater feeling of safety – demonstrated
by formal monitoring. The role of the on-site ranger as a friendly face for local people, and event organisation
has been a great success.

• An integrated monitoring strategy to coordinate all evaluation activities related to water, land, social and
climate change issues.

Project Contact: River Restoration Centre

Rivers by Design 29
 CASE STUDY

Historic Mill restoration,

River Vidå,Tønder
Reducing the risk of flooding, tackling subsidence and improving access for fish was dealt
with by removing sluice gates and installing a weir allowing fish to swim over more easily.
Retaining the historic mill and mill pond were central to the scheme. Economic, social and
environmental benefits have been reported in a project that dealt sensitively with the cultural
heritage at the site.

Project summary ©RRC

Location: Bachmanns Water Mill,

River Vidå, Tønder, Denmark
Length: 1000m
Cost: €1,370,000
Dates: 2009-2010

Delivery Lateral sheet piling used to create the weir

Delivered through: EU LIFE+

funded project to restore habitat ©RRC

and passage for houting.

Partners: Danish Nature Agency,
Municipality of Tønder local
authority.

Sheet piling faced with concrete

Background ©RRC

and issues
• Risk of flooding in the urban
centre of Tønder.
• 2m high weir preventing
fish from migrating, an
endangered EU designated The structure once vegetated
species, houting.
• Subsidence issues around ©RRC
the millpond.

Cultural legacy: Historic mill retained

Rivers by Design 30
 CASE STUDY

Step-by-step
1. The mill pond and river were separated with a sheet-piled, concrete-faced weir. Flood banks were set back to
increase capacity for flood waters.

2. Sluice gates and the fish ladder upstream of the mill bridge were removed. The millpond was retained as a
functioning nursery area for fish.

3. Downstream of the mill, spawning grounds were formed by creating areas of shallower water using gravel (riffles).
Resting areas (backwaters) were created and an otter pass was built under the bridge.

4. A new access point downstream of the mill was made for the Tønder Rowing Club to minimise disturbance to
nature.

5. 700m of wetlands was created downstream of Tønder to create a wider nature corridor. This has been very
popular with walkers and local people.

Benefits 1 Creation of backwater, wetland and

public walkway (downstream off map)
• Historic mill retained. 2 Weir structure removed
3 River enhancement works
• Aesthetic improvements have 4 Historic mill
led to an increase in local 5 Section of channel re-meandered
house prices. 6 Broad crested weir

• Public access to nature

improved - wetland walk.

• Balanced project aims with 6

recreational needs. 3
• Improved river habitat.
2
• Fish pass more freely past the
mill.
4
• Passage for houting has been
restored.

5
1

Lessons learned
• Taking into account the historic context of the site, the project was delivered sensitively.

• The legacy of the project will benefit wildlife and people in a number of ways (access to nature, recreation).

Project Contact: Danish Forest and Nature Agency

Rivers by Design 31
 CASE STUDY

Milton Keynes floodplain

forest, River Great Ouse
Privately funded through gravel extraction, this project has successfully tackled the risk
of flooding, improved the quality of the landscape, and plant and wildlife, and created
educational opportunities.

Project summary
Location: Milton Keynes, England
Length: 50ha, approx. 2000m
Cost: €1,120,000
Dates: Works began May 2007,
Completion due by 2014/15

Delivery
Delivered through: Private
funding from Hanson Aggregates
Ltd through commercial gravel
extraction.
Partners: The Parks Trust, Hanson
Quarry Products, Scott Wilson,
Milton Keynes Council.
Risk of flooding to local properties ©RRC

Background Feasibility study suggested removing gravel to

create a floodplain 1.27m lower, providing an
and issues additional 460,000 cubic metres of flood storage

• Risk of flooding to Phased approach, over 7 to 8 years

local properties.
• Poor quality of the landscape.
• Lack of wildlife.
• Poor water quality.

(©Hanson Quarry Products, Europe)

Rivers by Design 32
 CASE STUDY

Step-by-step
1. 1992 – The Parks Trust charity established to manage 1,800ha parkland in Milton Keynes.

2. 1994 – Proposal to create floodplain forest developed and feasibility study carried out.

3. 2000 – Contractor (Hanson Gravel Aggregates) awarded contract to remove gravel, restore and enhance site.

4. 2004 – Consultation (some opposition from councillors, planning officers and public), planning permission was
granted.

5. 2007 – Project began to remove soil, extract gravel and create river habitat. A residents' liaison committee was
set up and events, letters and open days organised to ensure ongoing community involvement.

Cross section of floodplain forest

©Hanson Quarry Products, Europe

Benefits
• Public access to the area.

• Created an educational park

for Milton Keynes.

• Reduced risk of downstream

flooding.

• Increased flood water storage

capacity.

• Created habitat.

©RRC ©RRC

4.1km of paths, boardwalks and bridges The park being used as an educational
provide full public access, some of which resource
will be underwater during flood.

Lessons learned
• Introduced measures to sustainably manage the risk of flooding.

• Unique partnership project led by a charity with funding from a private gravel extraction company to improve
the environment for wildlife and people.

Project Contact: The Parks Trust

Rivers by Design 33
 CASE STUDY

Cheonggyecheon
Restoration Project
Large-scale urban regeneration achieved by removing a two-tier overpass and landscaping
the river channel it exposed. Seoul Metropolitan Government successfully addressed a
range of economic, social, cultural and environmental problems through a scheme that has
provided a template for planning across South Korea and further.

Project summary After Before

Location: Cheonggyecheon
stream, Seoul, South Korea
Length: 5.8 km
Cost: US $280million
Dates: 2000-2005
©Nepal Asatthawasi
Delivery
Delivered through: Government
funded, multi-partner project
to deliver large-scale urban
regeneration.
Partners: Cheonggyecheon
Restoration Centre, Seoul
Development Institute,
Cheonggyecheon Restoration
Citizens Committee, Seoul
Metropolitan Government.
©Clare Healy

Background Zone 1: History

and issues Underground waterways redirected to create a new stream bed with
landscaped banks; former bridges used as decorative elements; seating
• The river was culverted and
to encourage the public to use the space.
buried underneath a 12 lane
highway.

• Severe degradation of
Zone 2: Urban and Culture
Created a park in the centre of the city with recreation areas, waterfront
surrounding area.
decks and stepping stones; designed using environmentally friendly
• Poor water quality. materials, with artwork and maps on walls along the river corridor.

Zone 3: Nature in the middle of the city

• Poor quality of the natural
environment and lack of
plant and wildlife. Designed to look natural and overgrown; sections of the pier and
overpass left as industrial mementoes; wetland designated as an
ecological conservation area.

Rivers by Design 34
 CASE STUDY

Step-by-step Zone 1: History

1. The Seoul Metropolitan Government established

the Cheonggyecheon Restoration Centre to act as
a focus for research, development and planning.

2. The Cheonggyecheon Restoration Citizens'

Committee helped to gauge public opinion,
communicating the projects goals through
Zone 2: Urban and Culture
information sessions and conveying concerns.

3. The highway was de-commissioned.

4. The new river channel was excavated.

5. Works were undertaken to the river corridor.

Benefits Zone 3: Nature in the middle of the city

• Urban renewal and revitalisation.

• Economic growth and tourist attraction.

• Public access to the river – fishing and bathing.

• Educational resource.

• Historical and cultural values reflected in design.

• Significant ecological improvement.

• Air and water quality improved.

• Reduction in air temperature (cooling effect)

in surrounding area by an average of 3.6°c
demonstrated by thermal imagery.

All photos ©Nepal Asatthawasi, with thanks to Design Council

Lessons learned
• Hailed as a global best practice example of successful urban greening in a densely populated city.

• Provided a template for planning across South Korea and wider afield.

• Example of a metropolis scale, multi-partner project benefitting a population of 25 million people.

Project Contact: CABE/Design Council

Rivers by Design 35
 CASE STUDY

Ciobarciu Wetland Project

Issues such as the loss of wetlands essential for bird and plants and the loss of floodplain
resulting from agricultural and irrigation practices were addressed by removing embankments
and restoring flow to an old river course. The project has had numerous social benefits as well
as improving the ecology of the area.

Project summary Participatory approach to

designing the scheme
Landowner agreements

Location: Near the village of

Costuleni, Iasi. Prut Barlad River
Basin, Romania
Length: 5,500m
Area: 250ha
Cost: €388,000
Dates: 2003 - 2006

Delivery
Delivered through: Dutch
governmental fund to protect and
rehabilitate areas for nature in
Eastern European countries.
Partners: Prut–Barlad River Basin
Authority, RIZA, Hunze & Aa’s and
Het Drentsche Landschap (NGO).

Background
and issues
• Historic diversion of Jijia
river dramatically changed
the area.

• Loss of floodplains.

• Most of area is grassland

with limited ecological
value.

• Poor quality of the soil. Channels created Flow restored to Wetland areas creating
• Lack of habitat and suitable through embankments Old Jijia River. good habitat and
breeding areas for birds. and some embankments breeding areas for birds
removed entirely. on the migration route
to the Danube delta.

Rivers by Design 36
 CASE STUDY

Step-by-step 2007 – Restored meanders

• October 2003 - Land evaluation.

• 2005-2006 - Land purchase

of 224ha grassland from
approximately 400 landowners.

• Community participated in scheme

design.

• Channels created between

embankments to improve
connectivity, inner embankments
removed completely.

• Restoration of old meanders. Creating habitat Monitoring and Floodplain

research reconnection
• Restored flow on the Old Jijia River.

Benefits
• Local people consulted and
involved in decision making - led
to support for changes

• Increased public access.

• Improved recreational
opportunities.

• Educational and scientific

opportunities.

• Water available for livestock and

irrigation.

• Reeds for traditional manufacturing.

• Reconnected the floodplain.

• Improved the overall look of the

area.

• Improved water quality.

Restoring flow on the Old Jijia river (from left; before, during and after work)
• Re-created important habitats. All images ©Prut-Barlad River Basin Authority (ABAPB)

Lessons Learnt
• Good example of project developed by involving the local community.

• Good example of land purchase for ecological restoration.

Project Contact: ABAPB (Prut-Barlad River Basin Authority, Romania)

Rivers by Design 37
 CASE STUDY

Isar River, Munich

The ‘Isar Plan’ was developed to improve flood control, to improve plant, fish and animal
habitats, and to increase opportunities for recreation. These issues were addressed by regrading
river banks, setting back flood defences and creating public beaches. The results have been
dramatic, particularly considering its urban location: the risk of flooding has been reduced, the
local ecology enhanced and public access to the area improved.

Project summary “The urban river concept combines the nature oriented design of an
Location: Munich, Germany urban river with an urban lifestyle, it goes beyond simple cost benefit
analysis and is of immeasurable value to the population”
Length: 8km
(Urban river restoration in Munich, Arzet and Joven)
Cost: €35,000,000
Dates: 2000-2011

Delivery
Delivered through: State funding,
with high public consultation.
Partners: State of Bavaria, City of
Munich, Regional Office for Water
Management, Isar-Alliance.
Increased access for local people following restoration

Background and issues

• River had been straightened.

• Risk of flooding and damage to property.

• Limited public access to the river.

• Poor water quality and

loss of ecology.

Weirs replaced
with natural rock
ramp to enable
fish passage
River bank
planting
to improve
Improvement in landscape
access routes for quality
Re-naturalisation
Naturalistic flood visitors
of banksides
defences set back
from the bank

Rivers by Design 38
 CASE STUDY

Step-by-step Before restoration Removing canalised banks

The scheme was delivered in two phases:

1. 1995-2000- Working group ‘Isar-

Alliance’ set up. Public input into
the design of the project through
consultation period.

2. 2000-2011- Remediation works carried

out in seven sections, approximately
one completed every 12 months,
including:
• €7M remediation of contaminated
sites and removal of debris from
World War II.
• €28M of works, including increasing
flood protection, creating a public
beach, bank re-grading, weir
removal, river bank planting and
installing water disinfection systems
to improve quality. The restored multi-purpose Isar River

All images © State Office for Water Management, Munich

Benefits Buried sheet piling to reinforce embankments,

set back from the river bank for
more natural looking
• Reduced risk of flooding. flood protection
• Community involvement in design meant design and
changes were more readily accepted by the public.
• Increased public access.
• Aesthetic improvement.
• Improved water quality.
• Fish can pass more freely.

Two flood protection approaches were used to restore Hidden stone barrier to limit migration of the river bed and
the alpine character of the river. further protect the embankments

1. Sheet piling was used to reinforce embankments at

both edges of the floodplain.
2. Stone was buried in trenches set back up to 25m to as a
precaution in case the river moved more than expected.

Lessons Learnt
• Natural and attractive design that creates an appealing green space for people in the centre of Munich,
without compromising the level of flood protection.

• The Isar-Alliance provided a platform for public consultation.

Project Contact: State Office for Water Management, Munich

Rivers by Design 39
Further information
on planning projects
Further information and advice on planning river restoration projects and river management can
be found on RESTORE’s website.

RESTORE: encourages the restoration of European rivers towards a more natural state for
increased ecological quality, flood risk reduction, and social and economic benefits.
http://www.restorerivers.eu

The River Restoration Centre: technical advice and information on all aspects of river
management. Advisers have a wealth of practical experience in river engineering, hydrology,
geomorphology, ecology and river management.
www.therrc.co.uk

River restoration should be considered on any part of the river including its estuary. Detailed design
guidance here: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/cy/busnes/sectorau/100745.aspx

Rivers by Design 40
Glossary
Biodiversity
A term to describe the diversity of living species including animals, plants and their habitats.

Buffer zone
A strip of land adjacent to a watercourse that is protected, often with fencing, from impacts such as paving,
livestock, grazing. In urban settings a buffer zone might be the setting back of a building and allowing natural
vegetation to grow. See riparian.

Catchment
The land (and its area), which drains (normally naturally) to a given point on a river, drainage system or other body
of water.

Culvert
A closed conduit carrying a watercourse beneath an obstruction such as a road, railway or canal.

Ecosystem services
‘Services’ such as climate, water, air, food, soil, woodlands or nutrient recycling, which benefit humans. Ecosystem
services are interdependent, therefore if one part is damaged it can have an impact on the larger system.

Embankment
A bank of earth or stone that prevents the land behind from flooding.

Flood risk management

Understanding the probability and consequences of flooding, and seeking to manage flood risk to people,
property and the environment.

Floodplain
Area of land bordering a river that is prone to flooding.

Hydromorphology
Hydromorphology describes the characteristics of a water body. Hydrology refers to the flow and quantity of
water. Geomorphology refers to the physical elements and processes of waterbodies such as lakes, rivers and
coasts.

Land drainage
The movement of water to a point in a river.

Maintenance
Work that sustains the desired condition and intended performance of an asset.

Modified water bodies

Water bodies that have been physically altered to fulfil important 'uses' such as flood and coastal risk
management or navigation.

Riparian
Along the banks of a watercourse. Riparian zones support riparian vegetation and are of environmental
importance, providing diverse habitats and supporting a range of ecological communities.

Rivers by Design 41
River basin
A river basin is the area of land from which all surface run-off and spring water flows through a sequence of
streams, lakes and rivers into the sea at a single river mouth, estuary or delta. It comprises one or more individual
catchments.

River basin district

A river basin or several river basins, together with associated coastal waters.

Sustainability
The concept of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.

Water body
Under the Water Framework Directive this is a manageable unit of surface water, being the whole (or part) of a
stream, river or canal, lake or reservoir, transitional water (estuary) or stretch of coastal water.

Water quality
The physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water.

Rivers by Design 42
Bibliography and
further reading
Klaus Arzet and Stefan Joven, The Isar Experience, Urban River Restoration in Munich
www.wwa-m.bayern.de/fluesse_seen/massnahmen/isarplan/doc/the_isar_experience.pdf

CABE Space (2005), Does Money Grow on Trees?

www.cabe.org.uk/files/does-money-grow-on-trees.pdf

Environment Agency (2011), Evidence, The Mayes Brook restoration in Mayesbrook Park
www.theriverstrust.org/projects/water/Mayes%20brook%20restoration.pdf

Environment Agency (2010), Working with Natural Processes

cdn.environment-agency.gov.uk/geho0310bsfi-e-e.pdf

TCPA (2004), Biodiversity by Design, A guide for sustainable communities

www.tcpa.org.uk/data/files/bd_biodiversity.pdf

An Introductory Guide to Valuing Ecosystem Services, Defra, 2007

www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2011/03/28/pb12852-ecosystem-services/

Natural England, Green Infrastructure Guidance, 2011

http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/35033?category=49002

River Restoration: A stepping stone to urban regeneration, Environment Agency, 2001

http://therrc.co.uk/pdf/References/southriver_combined_2up.pdf

Estuary Edges, Environment Agency, and Bringing rivers back to life, (Environment Agency)
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/cy/busnes/sectorau/100745.aspx

Useful websites
European Centre for River Restoration
http://www.ecrr.org/

European Commission (Water Framework Directive and other water related issues)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/index_en.html

European Environment Agency

http://www.eea.europa.eu/

Green infrastructure
www.greeninfrastructurenw.co.uk

RESTORE
www.restorerivers.eu

Sustainable drainage systems

www.susdrain.org
Rivers by Design 43
RESTORE is a partnership of seven organisations from five European countries. We
are developing an information-sharing network for policy makers, river basin planners,
practitioners, enthusiasts and experts across Europe to communicate the importance of
river restoration and understand the barriers to achieving it. We promote best practice
through events, seminars and our website.

Project partners

RESTORE is organised into four regions across Europe:

Project Manager Eastern Region

Environment Agency (England) – Toni Scarr Government Service for Land and Water Management
Email: [email protected] (Netherlands) – Rogier Vogelij
www.restorerivers.eu Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +44 207 863 8714 www.dienstlandelijkgebied.nl
Telephone: +316 319 66318
Western Region
River Restoration Centre (UK) – Martin Janes In association with (as subcontractor): National
Email: [email protected] Institute of Hydrology and Water Management
www.therrc.co.uk (Romania) – Elisabeta Cserwid
Telephone: +441234 752 979 Email: [email protected]
www.inhga.ro
Northern Region
Telephone: +4021 318 11 15/109
Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) – Jukka Jormola
Email: [email protected] Communication Manager
www.environment.fi Wetlands International (international) – Chris Baker
Telephone: +358 405 125 736 Email: [email protected]
www.wetlands.org
Southern Region
Telephone: +313 186 60917
Italian Centre for River Restoration (CIRF) – Andrea
Goltara
Email: [email protected]
www.cirf.org
Telephone: +39 389 1104025

Restoring Europe’s Rivers

Restoring Europe’s Rivers