Green space and habitat

The Köprüköy Mosque in Adana, commonly named "green mosque", is one of a kind in Türkiye (Ref. 2,5). Its building and minaret are almost entirely covered by poison ivy and appear in vivid green colour from afar. Founded in 1929, it had to be remodelled in the early 60s as it couldn't sufficiently accommodate worshippers in the growing district. The mosque was then entirely built and rebuilt by the community, with its maintenance overseen by the mosque's protection association (Ref. 4). In the 70s, the ivy was planted and has since helped to protect the building from environmental stressors and keep visitors inside the garden and mosque cool during the summer heat (Ref. 4,5,6) Furthermore, the mosque’s well-maintained garden, home to around 280 species, is adored by local, national, and international visitors and tourists, as well as the media (Ref. 1,3,7). Frequent maintenance and rotation of the garden's flowers keep its appearance and function intact, one of which is the profound impact on visitors’ well-being, with many praising the unique atmosphere of the mosque that evokes peace, comfort, and spirituality (Ref. 1,3,4).
During COVID-19, the mosque could only host worshippers during praying hours, after which it quickly continued to bring people back together to garden, rest and socialize throughout the day (Ref. 1).

The Avas Tomato Community Garden, located in a formerly neglected area of the Avas hill of Miskolc, has transformed from an overgrown, rat-infested, and litter-strewn space into a thriving community garden. Just a few years ago, this site was a source of concern for local residents, plagued by issues such as homelessness and illegal dumping. Today, however, it stands as a flourishing green space with fresh garden beds, composting boxes, a pavilion offering shade to gardeners, and a renewed sense of community spirit.
The seeds of the Avas Tomato Community Garden project were planted in the fall of 2014, led by Zsolt Jakab and Ákos Káli-Nagy. The initiative began with the establishment of the "Panelkertész" club, and by 2016, with the support of a local representative, the garden began to take shape. The gardening community that blossomed in the spring of 2017 was built upon the strong relationships within the established Avas neighborhood. Working together, members constructed the garden beds according to a precise schedule and, through frequent discussions, developed a close-knit community. The garden now consists of 20 large and 6 smaller beds, with 18 families actively growing vegetables, herbs, and spices, alongside raspberry and strawberry plants by the fence.
The community has greatly benefited from both the professional support and supply donations provided by the Miskolc Ecological Institute Foundation. Additionally, the Dialóg Association has played a key role in organizing the garden users and fostering collaboration. Initially, Dialóg appointed a coordinator for the garden, but this responsibility has since been handed over to the gardeners themselves. Owned by the Municipality of Miskolc, the Avas Tomato Community Garden continues to thrive as a model of successful urban gardening, uniting people with a shared passion for gardening and a commitment to building a strong, supportive community.
(Ref.1,2,3)

The Three Mile Creek Hydrological Restoration project is taking place in one historic channel of the Three Mile Creek, located east of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, and covering approximately 1,800 linear feet (Ref 3). This project, led by the City of Mobile, aims to remove sediment from the stream channel. This segment of the Creek was bypassed with a straight channel in the early 1980s to control flooding in the area, thus accelerating the accumulation of sediments in the historic channel (Ref 1).
The project's goal is to restore and maintain the natural flow to the historic channel and create a connection to the City and County's Blueway initiatives (Ref 3). This will improve habitat conditions and water quality and help to protect the area’s estuarine and marine water resources (Ref 8). It will also contribute to revitalizing the Three Mile Creek Watershed and provide increased recreational opportunities for citizens, like kayaking and canoeing (Ref 6). Construction work occurred in 2022 and 2023 (Ref 3).
The Three Mile Creek Hydrological Restoration is a key component of the Mobile Bay Shore Habitat Conservation and Acquisition Initiative, which focuses on acquiring, restoring, and preserving habitats, including riparian, wetland, and upland areas that support various fish and wildlife species affected by the environmental disasters of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that occurred in 2010 (Ref 1). The project spans three critical areas: 450 acres within the Three Mile Creek Watershed (as detailed in this project profile), 300 acres in the Dog River Watershed, and 40 acres of bay shore property in the Garrows Bend Watershed (with the latter two areas being part of separate initiatives) (Ref 4).

The intervention of the Ecological Park of La Molina is an urban-landscape design project developed between the San Martín de Porres University, through the IVUC, the Institute of Housing, Urban Planning and Construction, and the Municipality of La Molina (7). This is the first ecological park in the city of Lima, located in a characteristic ecosystem such as Las Lomas, between 600-1000 m.a.s.l. (1). It is a natural area that is part of the hill system of Villa María del Triunfo, located in the Subtropical Coastal Desert ecoregion, and is part of the Regional Conservation Area ‘Sistema de Lomas de Lima’ (7). The City Council decided to open this space in 2022 to the public, as a 200-hectare area, designed to bring people closer to nature, through outdoor activities and environmental education about its fauna, flora and microclimates (1). Thus, citizens can enjoy a recreational area with multi-purpose spaces and sports circuits; a cultural area where workshops and an open-air amphitheatre are held; an ecological interpretation area with exhibition galleries and an interpretative route; and an administrative and control area (1). The park also envisages reforestation efforts in areas that are currently arid and infertile to convert them into green areas for the enjoyment of citizens (1). In 2023, conservation efforts were reinforced for an additional 50 hectares, due to the danger posed by encroachment and land trafficking (4).

The Olive Garden ("Jardim das Oliveiras") is a green roof created in the Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB) in Lisbon, as a green space that blends natural elements with the surrounding cultural area and building. Situated by the Tagus River, the garden features a lawn, olive trees, and small lakes, offering a quiet place for people to relax and enjoy nature (Ref 1, Ref 2). It is a popular spot for families, young people, and children who use the space (Ref 1). The garden also hosts cultural events, such as concerts and DJ performances, adding to its appeal as a community gathering place (Ref 3, Ref 4).

The first medicinal plant library in Martinique was created by the Ypiranga Martinique association, which inaugurated the project in 2019. The initiative was developed to preserve and revitalize traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in Martinique, integrating agroecology , modern scientific understanding, and ancestral practices.
The project is located on land provided by the municipality in the Tivoli neighborhood, and it serves as an educational resource, a functional pharmacy, and includes a small shared vegetables garden. Visitors, local residents, and researchers can access information on over 150 native Caribbean plants and their medicinal properties. The site includes two educational trails: one following the river that crosses the garden and a sensory trail designed to help visitors "reconnect with nature." Each plant is identified with information boards detailing its medicinal uses, including whether these uses are scientifically validated.
The project also aims to address social exclusion by offering reintegration workshops to troubled teenagers and the unemployed.
The project was financed through a combination of sources: an EU-funded call for projects, a crowdfunding campaign, and regional and national public subsidies.
As a result of its success, in 2021 the initiative was formally replicated with the support of the Caribbean Interreg "OSAIN" project, which led to the creation of 14 additional plant libraries in schools and public spaces. Volunteers and community-based efforts continue to sustain the project, and it has become a model for similar initiatives. (Ref. 1,2,4,5,6,7)

The "Recuperación del Laguito" project aims to restore El Laguito, a coastal water body in Cartagena, Colombia, severely affected by sedimentation that blocks natural water exchange with the Caribbean Sea. This blockage has led to stagnant, low-oxygen water, degrading water quality and aquatic ecosystems (ref 1). The project seeks to restore El Laguito’s environmental and social functions by reestablishing seawater flow, reducing sediment impact, improving water quality, and reviving the ecosystem. Additionally, it aims to provide data to guide long-term solutions for sustainably managing this community resource (ref 1).
The project is a response to recurring ecological crises, such as frequent fish die-offs due to low oxygen levels. Local residents initially took matters into their own hands, manually attempting to reopen the channel. The formal intervention started following a 2019 directive from the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, outlining a phased strategy: short-term installation of an axial pump for water exchange, medium-term studies for a permanent fix, and long-term construction plans (ref 3). Currently, the project involves using heavy machinery to clear sediment and allow seawater inflow, supported by the Gobernación de Bolívar, Cardique, and the Cartagena Mayor's Office. This phase serves as a transitional step towards a more sustainable, permanent solution (ref 2). The project’s impacts focus on ecological restoration. Short-term benefits include better oxygenation, reduced harmful algal blooms, and revived marine life. Long-term goals encompass sustainable water management, ecosystem stabilization, tourism enhancement, and the development of recreational and sports facilities in harmony with environmental conservation (ref 4).

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)

Maskinparken is a new park covering 3700 m2 in the Lindholmen district, a new neighbourhood in a previous industrial/harbour area [Ref. 5]. The park is described as a well-needed green oasis or green lung in the developing area. The park finished construction in 2022 and is intended to provide access to green space for people living and working nearby. It is also designed as a blue-green stormwater management solution, where about 500 m3 of rainwater can be stored in the lower areas during heavy rainfall. Stormwater will be leaked from surrounding grey areas to the park to protect them from flooding. The Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning (Boverket) has highlighted the park as a good example of climate adaptation in urban planning. The park has a variety of plants such as different tree species and flowering meadows, and plants that can withstand being soaked in the lower areas. Plants can grow in different landscape structures, such as hills and a pergola. The park also has amenities such as benches and lights, which are designed to mirror the style of the surrounding, older industrial brick buildings [Ref. 1-4].

The last large-scale park in Iași was opened in 1923, and since then, the city has lacked any significant new green spaces. With the European Union recommending at least 26 square meters of green space per resident and the city's increasing urban density, the need for a new park is undeniable.
To address this, the Municipality of Iași is launching its first major park project in over a century. The project aims to transform the current CTP depot (tram station) into a 4.5-hectare, accessible green space in a densely populated area with strong development potential. This new park is envisioned as a green oasis that will enhance residents' quality of life while promoting environmental sustainability and urban renewal.
The initiative has received widespread public support, with citizens proposing the creation of a local museum to honor the tram station’s historical significance—one of the oldest in the city, with over 100 years of history. A consultation process has been established, involving local residents, NGOs, and a group of experts, including urban planners, architects, and mobility and environment officials, all contributing to the planning stage. Public suggestions for the park include underground parking, recreational and exercise facilities, and a diverse range of vegetation. Ensuring accessibility for all citizens and visitors is also a key priority in the park's design.
The municipality has allocated 300,000 euros for a solutions contest to finalize the approach to redeveloping the tram station. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9)