Uploaded on 2015-12-14 by ValerieDH

As Antwerp is a big city in Belgium with a lot of concrete everywhere, there isn’t much green space actually. To overcome this, lots of urban farming initiatives are coming up in Antwerp. This way city inhabitants are still able to get their hands dirty and get in touch with nature, while growing their own food. ![enter image description here][1] Image taken from http://blog.thuisindestad.be/collierjardin?lang=en : Urban Farming in Antwerp b. Regulating services As I have stated before, the green space in Antwerp is very scarce. We do have a small urban park with some trees. In summer when it gets really hot in the city, people really battle to conquer a spot in the shadow of these trees and near the air cooling water of the pond. There is far too little ecosystem services going on in Antwerp and the lack of trees that provide shade throughout the city is one example of that lack. They did however construct a quite large new urban park called ‘Park Spoor Noord’, which is intensely used by the inhabitants, but the lack of a good number of trees is a real downside to it during hot summer days. ![enter image description here][2] Image taken from Google Streetview: Park Spoor Noord and its lack of trees c. Habitat or Supporting services As the city of Antwerp has a large river running through it, the ‘Schelde’, connecting the port of Antwerp to the sea, you can at times find a lot of seagulls in the city. They get fish out of the river and make their nests on the river banks. Unfortunately, people living in the city also experience some nuisance caused by these animals. They are very loud and at times aggressive. Especially if they made their nest on top of your roof. That’s why the city council tries to remove these unwanted nests as much as possible… They allow the seagulls to live near the river, but not in the city. The river thus provides a good habitat for these loud birds, in the city though, their presence is unwanted. A good example of Antwerp’s ( and in general I think: city’s ) often schizophrenic relation with nature. They want as much of it as possible, but when it comes too close, they feel threatened… ![enter image description here][3] Image taken from Google Streetview: the 'Schelde' river running through Antwerp d. Cultural services One of the bigger parks in the outskirts of Antwerp, the ‘Middelheim’ Park is a beautiful place to have a long, healthy walk. This has inspired many artists and since over 50 years the park has become an outdoor museum, free of charge, with over 400 sculptures, placed between the trees and plants. A refreshing experience, away from the city’s noise and stress! ![enter image description here][4] Image taken from Google Streetview: Park Middelheim with its many sculptures [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14501331459108111.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1450133193858409.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1450133245257775.jpg [4]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14501333009636757.jpg