Achieved increase in agricultural production (for profit or not)

The Çukurova University Botanical Garden was initiated in 1972 by the Department for Landscape Architecture to protect and conserve the rich native and non-native biodiversity of the region for future generations (Ref. 5,9). Its establishment responds to the lack of Botanical Gardens in Türkiye despite the country's great diversity. The Garden also wants to offer protection for increasingly threatened species in the face of rapid and uncontrolled urbanization (Ref. 5,9). Being located close to two Deltas and an important agricultural region, the collection also aims to include a great number of wetland and agricultural species, drawing public attention to the importance of these ecosystems (Ref. 6). As such, the University invites every school in Adana to visit and participate in its ongoing educational activities and primary school children are offered hands-on gardening programmes (Ref. 1,2). Furthermore, visitors can immerse themselves and learn about various vegetation zones, including endemic maquis, where stairs, walking paths and information boards have been installed (Ref. 4). The University maintains research activities in the Botanical Garden and in on site laboratories, which regularly host interns (Ref. 4). To ensure the stready supply of plant material for landscaping and education, nurseries have been set up and in 2020 a 250 m² medicinal and aromatic plant greenhouse was added where students of the Faculty of Agriculture are trained and endemic species grown (Ref. 9,10).

Over the past two decades, as Phoenix’s population has surged since the 1990s, large expanses of farmland have been paved over to make way for urban development. This transformation has increasingly disconnected the city from its agricultural roots. In 2000, Janna Anderson recognized a growing need for local farms to strengthen their ties with the community and for increased access to fresh, locally sourced produce. With a vision to reconnect the community with its agricultural heritage, she purchased a historic orchard property in southern Phoenix, near South Mountain, in 2011. The property, which included a 1918 adobe home, was transformed into a thriving mixed-fruit orchard.
At Pinnacle Farms, Janna planted over 1,200 trees, including peaches, apricots, and rare Maktoom Dates, which were brought to the U.S. from Iraq in 1910. These heritage crops have unique flavors and textures not commonly found in grocery stores. In 2015, the farm became certified organic, underscoring Janna’s commitment to sustainable farming practices. Her focus is on cultivating varieties that are uniquely suited to the arid Southwest climate, using methods that conserve water and promote soil health.
Janna’s approach to farming also highlights the potential of heritage varieties to support food security in the desert. By growing these rare and resilient crops, she not only preserves biodiversity but also brings attention to how such practices can contribute to a more sustainable, local food system. Pinnacle Farms serves as a living reminder of Phoenix’s agricultural history, a place where fertile soil and sustainable farming practices continue to thrive. The farm embodies the deep agricultural roots of the region, connecting Phoenix’s past to its future and proving that the city’s rich farming tradition is far from lost. (1, 2, 6, 8)

The Horta Nova Urban Park, located in the Carnide parish (Lisbon), is a recently inaugurated green space that combines horticulture with community recreation. The Carnides neighbourhood is characterised by an inspiring history of overcoming hardship, with residents turning food shortages into opportunities by cultivating community gardens since the 70s. Currently, "the neighbourhood continues to be an example of solidarity, innovation and community spirit" (Ref. 2). In 2013, as a response to food scarcity caused during the post-Troika economic crisis, a group of local residents created an unauthorised vegetable garden overnight, on previously derelict space in the neighbourhood. Only in 2021 did the local authorities officially recognise the vegetable gardens, which since 2013 had operated under an informal agreement (Ref. 3). With the official establishment of the horticultural park, in addition, the park has a newly planted broad lawn, an open-air gym, and a dedicated dog park, creating a versatile space for residents (Ref 3).
Currently, this park features 80 vegetable plots, each with a dimension of 100 m2 per plot, attributed by the municipality through an official application process (Ref. 1). The park is a great reflection of the neighbourhood’s resilience and its history of small-scale citizen-oriented agricultural production that began as a response to social difficulties (Ref 1, 2).

In 2018, a group of residents from Sector II in the Villa El Salvador district initiated a communal effort to transform an abandoned space into an urban garden (3). This is how Ayllu 21, the first community-based agroecological garden in Villa El Salvador, was born. The project was spearheaded by a group of mostly migrant senior women who decided to dedicate their time and labour to reclaiming a landfill space, to turn it into a productive green area (1). Their philosophy is rooted in the concept of "ayllu," a Quechua word signifying family, collective identity, solidarity, and respect for the environment to foster harmonious coexistence (3).
Today, Ayllu 21 spans 1400 square meters and features 40 plots where agroecological practices are employed (1, 3). The garden aims to become a space for comprehensive development, through promoting environmental awareness, political advocacy, and the fight against gender-based violence in a district that ranks third in the number of violence cases (1).
The vegetables produced are primarily for self-consumption, with any surplus distributed among neighbouring families. If there are any sales, the profits are shared among the members, who work an average of two days per week in the garden (3).
This space seeks to strengthen socialization among women and seniors and foster learning and community-building among neighbours through agriculture. It was initiated with the support of IPES Promotion of Sustainable Development as part of the Sowing in the Desert program (3, 6), and it has received support from a diversity of programmes, such as the framework of the Women United for Food and Environmental Security (MUSA) (1).

In Peru, there is a significant gap in the coverage of public spaces for social interaction, environmental awareness, and cultural expression in urban areas, reaching 23.10% (3). To address this issue and commemorate the 200th anniversary of Peru's independence, the national project "Proyecto Especial Bicentenario" (Special Bicentenary Project) was launched. As part of this project, 26 Cultural and Ecological Parks are being developed throughout the country (2, 5). This initiative aims to strengthen the role of municipalities in sustainable urban planning, prioritising the well-being of citizens and promoting citizen participation (1, 3).
These parks combine ecological elements with cultural infrastructure, fostering a connection between people and nature and their Peruvian identity (5). By offering recreational and educational spaces, the goal is to raise public awareness of the importance of local biodiversity and strengthen community ties (1, 5). To ensure that these spaces meet the needs of each community, a citizen participation campaign called "Ideas for My Bicentennial Cultural Park" was implemented, allowing citizens to propose ideas from various perspectives, such as design, culture, citizenship, and the environment (5).
The San Isidro Bicentennial Park, inaugurated in 2020, is an example of this initiative. With its 20,000 square meters of green areas, cultural activities, family recreation zones, and a neighbourhood gathering centre, this park has become a new green lung for the city and a meeting place for people of all ages, with a focus on inclusion for children and the elderly (2, 4, 5). Additionally, it features a municipal community garden of 250 m2 that promotes urban agriculture and offers workshops to teach citizens about sustainable farming practices (6).

According to the FAO, in 2022, 16.6 million Peruvians faced moderate or severe food insecurity, representing an increase of 1.5 million compared to the previous year (3). This situation was exacerbated by the health crisis, inflation, and job losses, leaving three out of ten Peruvians in poverty in 2021. The situation was particularly critical in Metropolitan Lima and Callao, with 14% of families reporting difficulties in acquiring protein-rich foods due to their precarious economic situation (2).
In response to this food crisis, the Municipality of Lima implemented the "Lima te Cuida" (Lima Takes Care of You) initiative, in which residents from vulnerable areas got training to create urban gardens and produce organic compost to help the community kitchens in these areas become self-sustainable (1, 2). An example of this initiative is the community garden in A.H. Villa Mosha in San Juan de Lurigancho, where a community garden has been built, and community members have been trained in small-scale planting, cultivation, care, and harvesting of various foods (2).
This initiative has been supported by the MUSA project "Mujeres Unidas por la Seguridad Alimentaria y Ambiental" (Women United for Food and Environmental Security) as part of the project "Alimentando a Lima desde Adentro" (ALDA) (Feeding Lima from within), which has had an impact in eight districts of Lima to strengthen food security (3). In addition to promoting urban agriculture, the project seeks to influence public policy through training and development of proposals to promote urban agriculture at the local level (4).

The GLAS Garden in Ballymun was established in 2011 by the NGO Global Action Plan, serving as a community-driven initiative that offers a welcoming and accessible space where people of all ages and abilities can engage with nature, learn new skills, and build connections within their community. The garden is actively utilized on a weekly basis by various groups, including St. Michael’s House, Saol Clubhouse, the Central Remedial Clinic, Ballark Youth Training, and Young Ballymun. It features a polytunnel for year-round growing, a whimsical fairy garden, and numerous microhabitats, including a pond, composting systems, a grow dome, and an innovative rainwater harvesting system made from recycled plastic bottles.
As part of the social regeneration program for Ballymun, the Green Living and Sustainability (GLAS) community garden has been operated by Global Action Plan (GAP) since its inception. It is supported by Dublin City Council under the Social Regeneration Fund and serves as a hub for environmental education and social inclusion in the area.
GAP’s GLAS garden brings together individuals of all ages and abilities, providing a socially inclusive space for participatory learning and active exploration of sustainability. It plays a crucial role in helping individuals and groups reduce their carbon footprint, produce organic food, and enjoy nature, thus transforming the garden into a space for positive change. (1-5)

Thessaloniki has a dense urban structure with limited open and green spaces. As a coastal city severely impacted by climate change, it faces multiple interconnected challenges, including extreme weather events, flooding, and peri-urban forest fires. These issues are further compounded by the city's aging infrastructure and deteriorating buildings, increasing its vulnerability (Ref 1).
Kipos 3, a community garden, is part of the "Green Neighborhoods" project proposed in the Thessaloniki 2030 municipal resilience strategy (ibid.). Established in 2015 on a 600-square-meter plot donated by the municipality, the garden is now managed by 30 local families under the continued stewardship of the Municipality (Ref 2, 3). The garden's creation was supported by a team of architects, landscape architects, and agriculturists, and features a variety of herbs and edible plants grown using permaculture methods (Ref 3).
The garden hosts a greenhouse along a range of environmental, recreational, and educational activities, providing an opportunity to foster a more cohesive, inclusive, and resilient community. It also serves as a space for synergies and discussions about the future of the city (Ref 3, 4). Recognized as a good practice, the intervention has been showcased in national, European, and international networks (Ref 2, 4).

The Surco district of Lima has implemented a vertical bio-garden occupying a 685 square meter area within El Aire Park. The garden comprises a 600-meter linear structure supporting 11,000 planters fabricated from recycled plastic bottles. This system yields a substantial crop production of between 400 and 1,500 varieties on a 20-day cycle (1).
Initiated by the Municipality of Santiago de Surco, the bio-garden is designed to contribute to the district's economic, nutritional, and environmental sustainability (1, 2, 3, 5). By cultivating high-protein, nutrient-rich crops, the municipality provides essential sustenance to 24 local community kitchens (1), a local market (3), parishes, and social aid organizations (1).
To optimize crop yield, the municipality has implemented specialized techniques, including seedling cultivation, harvesting, and organic fertilization, to prevent pest and disease infestations (1). Since its implementation in 2020 with an initial 7,000 planters, the project has expanded by 300% to accommodate 11,000 (1). Cultivated plant varieties include medicinal herbs, leafy greens, root vegetables, and infusion ingredients (2, 5).
Additionally, the initiative serves as an educational platform, demonstrating and spreading sustainable home gardening practices utilising recycled materials such as plastic bottles (3, 5).

The municipal real estate company Higab partnered with The Foodprint Lab Architects, an architecture firm specialising in food system design, in a three-year pilot project to create urban farms in three of their properties in Gothenburg. The Foodprint Lab designed the urban farms based on the conditions of each property and connected Higab with potential farmers. The urban farms are located at Slakthuset (an old industrial area), Kviberg (by an empty building undergoing renovation) and Musikens hus (an old building used for music events and a restaurant). The farms are established in unused, mostly grey areas such as parking lots. In all sites, the farming is run by local farming associations; some sell vegetables on site and in Kviberg, there has also been a commercial production of vegetables. Sustainable food production, entrepreneurship opportunities, a nicer and safer environment, and the promotion of biodiversity are highlighted as benefits of the project. In total, about 50 different plant species are found across the locations. The establishment of the urban farms was part of the Grow Gothenburg project within the Sharing Cities Sweden program, which provided some of the funding [Ref. 1-5, 7].