Environmental quality

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).

Ngong is a town in southern Kenya, located near Nairobi in Kajiado County, on the slopes of the Ngong Hills. The municipality has experienced significant development and population growth due to improved infrastructure and social amenities. However, this expansion poses a threat to biodiversity, as increased demand for agricultural land, wood, and raw materials is depleting the area's forests and putting many species at risk of extinction. Overgrazing, illegal logging, invasive species, and climate change-induced extremes like droughts and floods have further exacerbated the situation.

In response, the Rufford Foundation proposed the Improving Ngong Hills Forest Conservation Efforts through Raising Local Community Awareness of Biodiversity Conservation project. The initiative seeks to restore the Ngong Hills forest ecosystem through community-driven conservation. A nursery for native species was established, and tree planting campaigns were conducted in collaboration with national and local governments, community-based organizations, indigenous groups, and schools. Additionally, awareness programs and capacity-building efforts were launched, engaging local schools in restoration activities and organizing workshops to train community members and officials. (Ref. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

To protect the Lomas de Primavera from urban pressure and other threats, the Lomas de Primavera Ecological Association has implemented strategies for its conservation. One of the strategies this organisation has promoted is reforestation activities. Working together with the Municipality of Lima and other interested actors, they have sought to expand Lima's green spaces, improve air quality, enhance flora, and promote tourism, among other benefits (1). Lima's Municipality has supported the project by donating 20,000 trees for reforestation and to prevent land encroachment (1), social organisations and environmental activists have joint efforts to plant more than 250 trees to support the conservation efforts (2, 7).
The Lomas de Primavera Ecological Association leads the project, organizing community management efforts to conserve the Lomas de Primavera sector. This association is based in the Agrupación Familiar Primavera Lomas de Carabayllo community (2). The association's conservation activities involve collaboration with various stakeholders at different levels. Locally, it works with community leaders and organizations. At the district level, it coordinates with the Carabayllo municipality and the NGO CIDAP to improve urban conditions. The metropolitan-level collaboration includes the Municipality of Lima and the ACR 'Sistema de Lomas de Lima' for ecosystem protection and valorization. Nationally, it partners with MINAM, SERNANP, MINAGRI, UNDP, UCV, and the Network of Peruvian Lomas to enhance ecosystem services, restore degraded areas, and conduct research on the Lomas (2).
The preservation and reforestation of these ecosystems is essential, as they have social, cultural and environmental value, including the following ecosystem services: provision of genetic resources, soil formation, pollination, aesthetic services, ecotourism, food, education, and archaeological and historical services (3)

Rinia Park has been a significant social and recreational area in the center of Tirana since the 1950s. Over the years, it has undergone several phases of development and restructuring, each linked to the socio-political regime of the time (Ref. 1). Its most recent rehabilitation was driven by the need to revitalize public spaces and improve the quality and accessibility of urban green areas. In 2019, extensive work on enhancing the park’s infrastructure and amenities began. By June 2020, installations were completed, including new and diverse playgrounds for children, improved lighting and drainage systems, expanded walking paths as well as designated chess and dog areas (Ref. 1,2,6). Both children and the elderly benefit from these new features, which promote social interaction and make the park more inclusive for different age groups (Ref. 2).
To protect the Independence Monument from vandalism, a surrounding water feature was added. An additional benefit of the the new lighting installation is the extended access of the park well into the evening (Ref. 1,6).
Given the park’s profound history, it stands as a symbol of urban renewal and continues to serve as a central gathering spot for people and cultural events (Ref. 7).

In 2020, the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB) launched the Trees of Friendship project, which plants over 400 trees annually across six Western Balkan capitals, known to be some of the most air-polluted cities in Europe (Ref. 5). Tirana has been involved from the start, having planted over 110 trees in locations such as Great Lake Park in 2020 and Farka Park in 2022 (Ref. 1,2).
The project is carried out with the support of local municipal and civil society partners, including Tirana's Parks and Recreation Agency and the Environmental Territorial Management Institute, along with activists and volunteers (Ref. 1,2). The initiative was planned in 2019 when the EFB board decided to mitigate its CO2 emissions from business-related flights and enhance local and regional cooperation on air pollution (Ref. 3,4,5). Despite challenges in citizen engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trees of Friendship project continues to raise awareness about the role of trees in mitigating the impact of air pollution on health and well-being (Ref. 2). Its strong and well-established local and regional partnerships have facilitated the project's implementation in the past and continue to benefit in scaling the project (Ref. 1,5).

In 2001, the local municipality of La Paz, in collaboration with the International Union of Architects (UIA), launched a design contest to create a central park within a protected natural area (3). The park's aim was to develop urban infrastructure while connecting nature with the city (3). The winning architectural design envisioned an infrastructure that would harmonize with the existing natural surroundings and minimize interference with the environment (4).
The park's implementation included pedestrian and bike pathways, numerous panoramic viewpoints, facilities for exercise and cultural events, buildings dedicated to science, historically significant monuments, playgrounds, and the rehabilitation and creation of multiple green spaces (1 & 4 to 6).
While most of the project was completed by 2009, the area's exposure to recurrent landslides, droughts, and illegal waste disposal, combined with ongoing degradation, has necessitated afforestation efforts and maintenance actions from the municipality to ensure the protection of the natural area and enhance its benefits (7 & 8). Recently, the park has been part of a national citizen monitoring program for species, which has improved the categorization of wildlife in the area (11 & 12). Additionally, 2,000 trees were planted in the park in 2023 as part of a reforestation campaign, and cleaning and watering maintenance work has been carried out to support their growth (7 & 13). This initiative is part of a larger project to revitalize the park (10 & 13).
Overall, the park aims to protect local wildlife and plant species while acting as a "green lung" for the city, regulating the climate, providing recreational spaces, and improving livability (14).

This initiative was launched by the local government of La Paz, focusing on afforestation of the Mallasa landfill, which was closed in 2004 (1-4 & 6-10). While some plantations were established in the area when the landfill was closed, the overall plan aimed to manage the waste until the site was sufficiently clean for new projects—a process expected to take at least a decade (6). By 2021, signs of biodiversity, including flora and fauna, had begun to return to the former landfill. In response, the municipality of La Paz implemented a project to plant 6,000 native tree species, along with other shrub species, to further enhance biodiversity regeneration and establish a second urban forest in the city (3 & 4 & 7 & 8).

The afforestation efforts took place between 2021 and 2022, coordinated through "forestry brigades" made up of diverse volunteer groups. These groups included members from public institutions, private company representatives, NGOs (both environmental and non-environmental), universities, religious organizations, and local citizen groups (8-10). A total of 12 hectares were reforested out of the 33-hectare area (1 & 7). Following this, the area was closed to the public and is expected to become a biodiversity sanctuary within ten years, with ongoing monitoring by the municipal environmental agency (7). Among the trees planted, some were chosen to attract birds with their fruit, others to support the pollination of hummingbirds and bees, while others were intended to enrich the soil with nutrients—all species being native to the region (3 & 7).

Additional goals of the initiative include raising awareness about climate change, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship through community engagement, and advancing the municipality's decarbonization plans (3 & 9). Some of the seedlings and saplings were purchased by the municipality at a cost of 6,160 euros, with private companies also contributing financial support to the initiative (1 & 7).

The Loma del Marión recovery project in Cartagena, Colombia, is a community-driven initiative supported by EPA Cartagena that focuses on restoring and conserving the remaining 1.2 hectares of tropical dry forest. Initially covering 33 hectares, the area has suffered degradation due to illegal encroachments, deforestation, and waste burning. The project has included planting over 3,000 plants and fostering community involvement in environmental conservation (ref 1). The main goals are to restore the ecosystem by reforesting native species, preventing landslide risks, and developing an ecopark that will serve as an educational and recreational space. Planned facilities include a library for learning about local flora and fauna, hiking trails, and a community garden to enhance local food security (ref 1,4). A notable educational initiative in the project is the formation of "Vigías del Ambiente" (Environmental Watchers), a group of 40 youths from the Red Nacional Jóvenes de Ambiente, supported by EPA Cartagena and CDKN. This initiative educates young people on climate change, conservation, and waste management through workshops and activities (ref 2, 3). In addition, the EPA is leading detailed studies of the tropical dry forest to identify and protect endemic species (ref 5). The project has resulted in significant environmental and social benefits, such as planting thousands of trees, boosting community engagement in conservation, and establishing youth groups dedicated to sustainable development and climate action (ref 3, 5).

Kungsgärdet Byaodling is an urban farm set up by local farming association Kungsbacka Tillsammansodling, in Kungsbacka south of Gothenburg. Since 2023, the project has been funded by a 78 000 EUR grant via the non-profit organisation Lokalt ledd utveckling Halland (locally led development) using funds from the EU and the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) [Ref. 1, 2, 4]. The goal is to grow food in a sustainable and circular way, building soil health and promoting biodiversity. Using a total area of 4500 m2 on former unused grassland, the urban farm includes: 1100 m2 of effective growing area, 1000 m2 of flowering meadows, fruit and berry trees and bushes, and functional and social areas. The meadows and trees are intended to contribute to biodiversity, while social areas are meant to create a sense of community and benefit the well-being of the people active at the farm [Ref. 1, 3]. The farming association has been around for a few years, but the project funds will allow them to expand and develop the farm over three years, invest in new equipment and arrange free lectures for the public about sustainable farming practices [Ref. 1, 4]. The grant will also allow them to take in more members without anyone having to pay anything, promoting social inclusion.

In 2020, the Metropolitan City of Cagliari launched a project to enhance flood resilience and ecological integrity in the Mannu-Cixerri river system in southern Sardinia. The river traverses several communes within the metropolitan area, ultimately feeding into the Santa Gilla Lagoon, a vital wetland ecosystem west of the city.
The project, with a budget of €21 million, focuses on three key communes: Assemini, Decimomannu, and Uta. Rather than solely emphasizing structural flood defenses, the initiative integrates nature-based solutions (NbS) to mitigate flood risks while restoring riverine ecosystems. The Metropolitan City of Cagliari, in collaboration with the Sardinian Regional Public Works Department, is responsible for its implementation.
Key interventions include reinforcing and revegetating embankments, improving water flow along the Rio Mannu, and constructing new levee sections in a manner that enhances natural water retention. Additionally, the project involves upgrading bridges to facilitate better floodwater management. These measures align with the Sardinian Flood Risk Management Plan (PGRA) and aim to reduce flood hazards while promoting ecological benefits.
The project timeline began with a two-year preparation phase for the Preliminary Design Document, followed by a year-long tendering process for construction. These efforts represent a crucial step toward long-term flood resilience and environmental sustainability in the region. (Ref. 1, 2, 3)