Improvement of aquatic vegetation in urban waterways using protected artificial shallows

► In degraded urban waterways functional restoration of aquatic habitats is possible. ► Wave-protected shallows successfully mitigate navigation- impacts on vegetation. ► They support biodiversity and achieve the environmental objectives of the WFD. ► The remaining recolonization potential supersedes plantings and saves costs. ► Rehabilitation requires adaptive maintenance to avoid effects of accelerated succession.