Throughout the 2 Seas programme zone many densely populated, urbanised areas are located in or near disused industrial infrastructure such as old railway lines, canals and flooded mining pits. Bringing these areas back into benefitial use would allow cities to enhance their attractiveness in a sustainable and environmentally non-impactful way, but also provide new recreation areas for their inhabitants. MaxiGreen will address this issue and take up the challenge to convert these sites into "Heritage Green Sites by : -transforming the image of the disused spaces that currently have a negative perception among residents and potential visitors.- turning these sites in to multi-functional areas providing economic prospects, recreational activities and housing.- preserving their natural and industrial heritage and promoting biodiversity. To ensure the success of these approaches, particular attention will be paid to raising awareness, among the local population and tourists, with regards to the economic importance of these sites. Also, Access Strategies and Mobility Plans will be developed in partnership with local transport companies. The Maxigreen project will focus on seven sites and will develop a transferable methodology in order to share best-practise with relevant actors both inside and outside the 2 Seas area. Expected Results: What are the key results of the project?Activity 1 - joint development of visions for Green Heritage areasWorkshops- Maxi Green Expert Pool to meet twice and carry out visits- local workshops, to support 5 study cases- An international conference on managing heritage landscapes with cross border recommendationsPlans and strategies- In the Province of Antwerp: one master plan for the project region- In Essex: a vision document for South Essex highlighting the main Green heritage sites and the integration of the Hadleigh farm site.- In Marck; the purchase of the quarry as part of the house of Nature, developments of a master plan and public consultation.- In West Flanders: a vision and management plan for both sites, and a new adventure site.- In Southend a vision for an underused park and related studiesActivity 2: Stakeholder consultation- Implementation of communication strategies, key messages, interpretation and signage plans that can be used commonly across the 2 Seas area- Active engagement of beneficiaries on project sitesActivity 3: Enabling access to sitesWorkshops- 6 cross-border Conferences and 6 workshops with site visitsRecommendations and policy development- 7 Site specific recommendations- 1 Guideline (Final Report): MaxiGreen Access strategy- 7 improved heritage spaces with strategies and case studiesAre all partners and territories benefitting from the results?The project addresses a number of target groups. First of all the visitors and the local communities in the partner areas; these are the (potential) end users of the green spaces involved. The actual improvement actions and strategy development will benefit tourists and local communities by increasing the quality of life and expanding their enjoyment of the natural environment. Increasing the awareness of these local communities with the green spaces on their doorstep is a key activity of the project, including existing and potential greenspace users; school children of different ages; certain groups in society like minority groups and inhabitants of deprived areas, and also (incidental) visitors and tourists from further afield. These have not yet benefited yetThe final beneficiaries are the professionals in green management in the 2 Seas Region and beyond. These professionals, whether local authorities or planning agencies, will be informed about the results of the project , to contribute to the professional debate and knowledge base. Further final beneficiaries consist of politicians and key policy makers at the local and regional level, responsible for ensuring the quality of life and finding new ways to develop the economy in the densely populated 2 Seas Region. The results of the MaxiGreen project will be used to inform policymaking on the importance of local green sites for urbanised areas and the best solutions and approaches to secure public enjoyment of and engagement with these sites.What are the effects / outcomes for the territories involved?Beneficiaries and the public have increased awareness of the green heritage and the benefits achieved by the project. Essex County Council's vision for the whole of South Essex highlighting the main Green Heritage sites and their relationship to the trainline and the Thames Estuary Path will provide a major green space for South Essex. The development of the Thames Estuary Path will enable visitors to find out more about the path. West Flanders with a focuses on the socio-economic history and the industrial heritage that has formed the region the west Flemish heart will provide a broad inventory, include a tourist-recreational strategy and a description of the educational value of the heritage in this region.Rotterdam, will create a water square in a densely populated area emphasises the possibilities for a multifunctional green and natural square. The Southend and EWT project will create new interests in participating in skilled Woodland activities, both for local businesses and the community, that benefit from the Belfairs landscape, and a new understanding of the important ecological services that the landscape provides to the local area.Overall the project should result in an increased quality of life in the areas concerned and improved policy making on the maximised value of green sites in urban areas.