Green densification model

The Torre Sevilla is a commercial building complex with extensive green roofs. The green roofs cover 11000 or 12000 m2 (different sources report different numbers) and aim to contribute to thermal isolation and energy efficiency of the building, improve air quality and provide an urban green space for relaxation and recreation [Ref. 1-3]. The green roofs include a mosaic of different vegetation types and about 60 mostly native plant species. There is a rainwater recovery system that allows the gardens to be irrigated in a sustainable way [Ref. 1-3, 6]. The building finished construction in 2017 and the gardens were initially not available to the public. In 2023, the owner applied for a permit to host events in the gardens, which will allow the public to visit on occasion [Ref. 1, 3-5].

This initiative focused on creating a management plan for the Uricani forest, a protected area located near Iasi. Designated as both a nature reserve and a Natura 2000 site, the forest is crucial for its "Dacia oak & hornbeam forests" habitat and the presence of the stag beetle, the largest beetle in Romania and Europe.
Despite existing nature protection designations, the environmental NGO "Asociația Ecoturistică Prietenii Pădurii Bălțătești" recognized the need for an updated management plan. With European funding, the NGO developed a model plan for protected areas in Neamt and Iasi counties, including Uricani forest.
The NGO conducted monitoring activities in cooperation with forestry directorates to assess habitat conditions and stag beetle populations. The goal was to identify risks and requirements for species conservation and design appropriate management actions. Additionally, the organization aimed to promote the area's tourism potential and conduct awareness-raising activities with local communities and schools.
The completed management plan, developed through public consultation and approved by the Romanian environmental ministry, included measures for natural habitat regeneration, ensuring suitable conditions for the stag beetle, addressing illegal logging, pasturing, and waste disposal, and establishing information points and educational activities for the community. (1-7)

The rate of deforestation in the Brazilian Legal Amazon in 2023 was consolidated at 9,064 km2. Initiatives that promote forest restoration in this biome are emerging to overcome this scenario. One such initiative is Floresta Productiva which aims to reforest more than 200 hectares of degraded land in the southwest of the Brazilian Amazon, known as the ‘arc of deforestation’ (1). Led by the Instituto Socioambiental in partnership with the NGO Rioterra, it focuses on creating and disseminating native forest restoration models that combine ecosystem recovery with income generation for rural producers in Porto Velho (2). By fully integrating local communities, the project promotes traditional agroforestry practices (muvuca) and trains communities to maintain the planted land. This not only restores the forest but also provides economic benefits through the cultivation of timber, fruit trees and other species (2), strengthening sustainable agriculture, breaking the cycle of deforestation and restoring deforested areas through various native species grown in nurseries (1). The project is being developed in the cultivation area of the Amazon Bioeconomy Centre (CBCA), from 2023 to 2025, where it will directly benefit the rural community of Vila Nova de Teotônio (3).
The project started in 2019 and has impacted other communities in the area, such as the communities in Nova Mutum Paraná and Ji-Paraná (1). During these years, more than 123,000 trees have been planted in agroforestry on about 110 hectares of land, and edible forests have been created. Since 2022, a new planting phase has been underway, to plant more than 100,000 trees of 87 native species on 40 hectares of degraded forest (4). In conclusion, this project focuses on the development of agroforestry in the face of widespread monospecific soybean fields and intensive cattle ranching (3); the creation of edible forests (3); and the restoration of forest cover to ensure the long-term resilience of the forest (3).

Alexandria is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable cities, facing serious environmental challenges that threaten its landscape, culture, and livability. The city is grappling with rising sea levels, pollution, extreme fluctuations in temperature, and the intensifying urban heat island effect, all of which are worsened by climate change. The past decade has seen a steady decline in Alexandria’s parks and green areas, a trend that has raised significant concerns among environmentalists and the public. The shrinking green spaces are largely due to rapid urban expansion and the development of commercial projects, which are gradually pushing Alexandria's environmental balance and cultural heritage to the edge.
In recognition of these pressing issues, Egypt launched the "100 Million Trees Initiative" in 2022 as part of its Egypt Vision 2030, a national plan for sustainable development. The initiative aims to increase the per capita share of green space throughout the country, with objectives that include improving air quality, enhancing public health, countering the urban heat island effect, and reducing greenhouse gases. The initiative is also focused on improving the beauty and cultural value of Egypt's urban areas, aligning with broader goals to build sustainable and climate-resilient cities. Alexandria, being a coastal city that is both environmentally sensitive and culturally significant, has been a focal point of these efforts.
As part of this national campaign, the Governor of Alexandria was tasked with overseeing the enhancement and expansion of green spaces across the city, focusing on both the aesthetics and cultural aspects of the urban landscape. In 2023, these efforts took root in the Al-Muntazah 2 neighborhood, where 596 trees were planted as a contribution to the 100 Million Trees Initiative. This project included the Al-Samad Preparatory and Secondary Schools campus as one of its primary planting sites. (1-5)

The initiative consists of an afforestation campaign promoted by the local government of La Paz, with the objective of planting 10,000 trees and shrubs (1 & 2). Carried out between 2023 and 2024, the campaign included plantations across all the macrodistricts of La Paz (1). To ensure the campaign's success, the municipality encouraged the participation of volunteers from various institutions, such as public services, environmental groups, schools and universities, neighborhood associations, church groups, and even Army and Navy units (1 & 2). The trees play specific roles in mitigating climate change, improving air quality, reducing odors from nearby landfills, and decreasing the risk of landslides and soil erosion (3 & 4). Furthermore, the campaign aims to foster environmental awareness among citizens and replace trees lost due to illegal deforestation (1).

The species selected for planting were provided by EMAVERDE, the public company responsible for managing green spaces in the city. The selection included primarily native species, along with a few introduced ones, all chosen for their resilience to La Paz's varying climate conditions (1, 2 & 4). Given the challenging climate and difficult soil conditions, the municipality informed volunteers about the importance of maintaining the saplings, particularly during drought periods, to ensure their proper growth (1 & 2). The campaign also supported the municipality’s urban development plan (Plan Territorial de Desarrollo Integral "Para Vivir Bien") and the "Plan Integral de Recuperación de la Tormenta a la Esperanza," the latter developed in response to extreme rain events and floods that occurred during the campaign months (5).

Established in 1996, the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN's official headquarters in Africa, located just 9.7 km from the heart of Nairobi. In line with the UN's global sustainability goals, the office took significant steps to reduce its environmental footprint as it expanded. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), buildings contribute to a third of global energy use and are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. To address these issues, new buildings were designed to prioritize energy and water efficiency, with a focus on sustainability.
Completed in 2011, the new headquarters reflect the UN's broader commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The design includes 6,000 m² of solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, energy-efficient lighting, and natural ventilation, making the complex energy-neutral and water-efficient. It generates as much solar energy as it consumes, supporting over 1,200 staff members. Additionally, the project carefully preserved indigenous trees and created micro-ecosystems within the interior gardens, further aligning with the UN’s environmental mission.
By embedding these green features, the UNON complex serves as a model for sustainable development in urban settings, echoing the UN’s efforts to combat climate change and promote ecological resilience globally. (Ref. 1, 2, 3, 4)

The project ‘Planting the Future and Cultivating Life’ aims to create an ecological corridor in the city by reforesting an area of 28 hectares, under the direction of the Porto Velho City Council. It encourages citizen participation in tree planting activities or the management of green areas. To this end, the municipality is carrying out tree planting programmes in parks, squares and along public roads, encouraging citizens to get involved in this endeavour by actively participating in tree planting actions, caring for trees already on their property or raising awareness of the importance of these actions. (1) They seek to involve organisations such as schools, colleges, companies, associations and public organisations to increase the community's and young people's interest in responsible practices and positive attitudes to value and preserve the environment (1).
To achieve this goal, the Porto Velho city council organised a tree-planting day on October 23rd 2023, where 31,000 tree seedlings of native and fruit trees were planted in the Park Passarela Espaço Alternativo (1, 7). This was done with the support of the Municipal Secretariat of Environment and Development (1). This activity is part of the project Virada Ambiental, which seeks to promote the planting of native trees in municipalities across the country, raising awareness of the importance of planting native species and training municipal civil servants and the general public (3, 5). The National Confederation of Municipalities also supports this project and aims to mobilise society to encourage the planting of native trees to rescue biodiversity and recover environmental services, favouring social welfare by promoting tourism, and outdoor sports activities (6), providing shade, protecting the soil and combating high temperatures (2).

Chickasabogue Park, a 1,100-acre outdoor recreation facility and wildlife refuge in Eight Mile, Alabama, is the largest park in Mobile County (Ref 3). Since 2022, the park has undergone extensive renovations aimed at increasing public access to green spaces and shoreline recreational areas, particularly along Chickasabogue Creek, while offering a variety of outdoor activities in a natural setting and preserving local biodiversity (Ref. 3).
The improvements focus on enhancing the day-use area, including upgrades to the playground, a splash pad, basketball courts (adapted to heavy rains with water-permeable materials), and a ball field (Ref 1, Ref 2). Additionally, a new pavilion site and an events and interpretive centre are being developed (Ref 1, Ref 2). Sidewalks and family-friendly walking trails are being built, and improvements are also being made to the park's mountain bike trail and disc golf course (Ref 2), providing more opportunities for outdoor physical activities in nature. Other significant upgrades include the creation of a restroom and a new parking lot with permeable pavers to prevent flooding (Ref 2). Critical infrastructure work is underway, including the installation of underground utilities, water, sewer systems, and roadwork (Ref 2). Furthermore, a new Recreational Vehicles (RV) campground with 38 spaces is in the works (Ref 2).
These upgrades are part of a broader initiative aimed at ensuring the public can quickly access and enjoy natural resources (Ref 2). The renovation also emphasises the cultural heritage and historical significance of the park, with plans to use architecture, design, and artefacts to honour the different cultures that once lived in the area (Ref 2). The next phase includes seeking funding to renovate the beach area and construct a new boat ramp (Ref 1).

Alexandria is a city with a special charm, known for its beaches and gardens that act as the lungs through which the city breathes, and are considered a haven for its people (1). Unfortunately, in the last ten years, there has been a decrease in green space due to urban expansion and the establishment of Commercial and profitable projects (1). To address the lack of green space in the city, The Governor of Alexandria has stressed the continued efforts to develop, beautify and plant the squares and turn them into attractive civilized facades, as part of Egypts 2030 vision which aims to move towards a greener city and reduce the effects of climate change. (2). To encourage redevelopment of public green spaces, The Governor launched the “Alexandria shines with its squares” competition in 2023, where the top three neighborhoods with the best redeveloped squares would receive a prize of up to EGP 50,000 [928.45 EUR] (6). The First Al Montazah neighborhood participated in the competition by redeveloping Sidi Bishr Mosque Square (2-5). The 700 meter square was completely upgraded with solar energy, a new irrigation system to conserve water, modifications to the sewer network, and planting the garden with plants that suit the environment (3). The greening activities included planting 400 sticks of various crops in the upgraded square (4).

The Therapy Forest project in Nolan, Detroit, initiated in 2022 and completed in 2024, represents a step forward in urban renewal and ecological restoration, led by Rescue MI Nature Now (RMNN) and local volunteers. RMNN, founded in 2019, aims to transform vacant lots in the Nolan neighborhood—an area heavily impacted by the mortgage lending crisis—into green spaces that combat urban decay. The Therapy Forest, a 2.25-acre site, is designed as an accessible, restorative environment inspired by the Japanese practice of “Shinrin-Yoku,” or forest bathing, which encourages individuals to engage with nature through all their senses.
This project not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the neighborhood but also serves as a habitat for native plants and pollinators, such as goldenrod and honeybees. Through a participatory planning and design process, RMNN has actively involved community members, particularly youth, in the development and ongoing maintenance of the forest. The project includes flowering beds, perennial gardens, and other landscaping features aimed at creating a serene and therapeutic environment.
The Southeast Michigan Resilience Fund provided key financial support, recognizing the project's potential to transform neighborhood decay into a green space that serves both ecological and social purposes. The Therapy Forest is expected to become a communal asset, offering hands-on learning opportunities for local students while also providing a peaceful retreat for residents and visitors.
By converting over 2.25-acre of vacant land, RMNN’s Therapy Forest stands as a model for how urban areas can reclaim unused spaces, fostering resilience, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. This initiative not only revitalizes the Nolan neighborhood but also serves as a beacon of hope and renewal, demonstrating the impact of green spaces on urban communities.
(Ref.1-4)