Green space and habitat

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).

The revitalization and environmental recovery initiative in the Almirante Colón neighborhood of Cartagena focused on transforming green spaces and addressing environmental hazards posed by improper waste disposal and urban degradation. The primary goals of the project were to enhance urban green spaces, improve community well-being, and mitigate environmental hazards such as pollution and improper waste management (ref 1,2). The initiative involved multiple stakeholders, including the local government, community leaders, and private sector actors. The Gerencia de Espacio Público y Movilidad led the revitalization of three parks, focusing on cleaning up waste, maintaining green areas, and upgrading recreational facilities. Parallelly, Veolia, a private sector partner, worked with community leaders to recover neglected areas that were previously used for dumping mixed waste and beutify the environment. These efforts included planting activities, installation of solar lamps, and community education on proper waste disposal practices​ (ref 1,2). The revitalization of the parks benefited over 400 families, providing them with safe and clean recreational spaces. The project also successfully eliminated a significant dumping site, reducing pollution and enhancing the neighborhood's aesthetic appeal. Moreover, the initiative fostered a stronger sense of community ownership and responsibility towards maintaining the improved environment​ (ref 1,2).

The Ringsend Open-Air Laboratory project in Dublin, Ireland, is part of a broader effort to adapt urban areas to increasing climate change risks. This initiative focuses on installing green roofs and deploying a network of environmental sensors to enhance urban resilience. Launched in 2018 under the Horizon 2020 OPERANDUM project, the effort seeks to find nature-based solutions for climate change impacts worldwide. Led by the University of Bologna, OPERANDUM involves over 20 partners, primarily in Europe, working together to address environmental challenges like flooding, drought, and coastal erosion through the establishment of ten "Open Air Laboratories" globally.
In Dublin, the project aims to bolster flood resilience in Ringsend, a critical economic area near the city’s tech district, which faces substantial flood risks due to its low elevation and proximity to the Dodder River. This river, which flows through both rural and urban areas before meeting the River Liffey near Ringsend, has caused property and infrastructure damage from extreme rainfall and combined river and tidal flooding.
Green roofs play a key role in mitigating urban flood risks in this project. These rooftop gardens absorb large volumes of rainfall before it reaches the streets, easing the load on existing flood prevention systems like storm drains and gullies and reducing the need for additional "grey" infrastructure. Based on community insights and recommendations, construction has begun on a green roof on top of the CHQ building in Dublin’s Docklands, in partnership with Dogpatch Labs.Complementing this, over 100 sensors have been deployed in recent research trials across Dublin. OPERANDUM researchers are now building on this foundation to create a denser, more reliable, and cost-effective sensor network, with data from earlier low-cost sensor trials made publicly accessible via Dublinked, Dublin’s open data platform, and exploring the use of LPWAN for environmental sensing. (1-5, 7)

Torslanda School is a newly built elementary school (years 0-6) where the schoolyard includes innovative ways to manage rainwater. The school was initially part of the Rain Gothenburg project, which aims to make the city, and this school, the best in the world when it rains. It was also a pilot project within the city's "equal building" initiative, aiming to make indoor and outdoor environments accessible and attractive to everyone regardless of gender identity, functional diversity or age [Ref. 1]. The main element of the schoolyard is a "river" to which water will be led when it rains, combining stormwater management with opportunities for play and education. The system will retain about 310 m3 of water and treat it before releasing it to a recipient. The river will be used to teach the children about climate, ecology, biodiversity and the water cycle. The river and schoolyard are connected to a natural wetland [Ref. 3, 4]. The school is run by the City of Gothenburg, who initiated the project, employing an architecture firm and a construction company to design and build the school and schoolyard [Ref. 3-5].

The "Mangle Verde" project is a community-led intervention aimed at reforesting mangrove areas in Cartagena, particularly around the Ciénaga de la Virgen and Ciénaga de Juan Polo. Initiated by Gloria Sánchez and other members of the Villa Gloria community, this project is a response to the environmental degradation caused by urban development, including the construction of a viaduct, and the damages inflicted by invasive settlements and pollution​(ref 1,4). The primary goal of the project is to restore the mangrove ecosystems, which are essential for maintaining water quality, preventing coastal erosion and supporting marine biodiversity conservation (ref 4). In addition, this initiative provides socio-economic benefits by fostering ecotourism and increasing fish populations, which directly benefit the local fishing economy​(ref 1). The "Mangle Verde" project emerged as a grassroots response to compensations granted by the Concesión Costera for the damage caused by infrastructure projects in the region. Local residents of Villa Gloria, recognizing the importance of the mangrove ecosystem, established nurseries in their homes where they cultivate three types of mangroves (ref 2,4). So far, the initiative has planted over 26,860 mangrove saplings and is committed to continuing the reforestation efforts, which also include cleaning and maintaining the canals around the mangroves​ (ref 1). Beyond ecological restoration, the project also addresses key environmental risks in Cartagena, including coastal flooding and habitat degradation, driven by both natural phenomena (e.g., tides) and human activities such as urban sprawl and illegal dumping (ref 6, 7).

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).

The Institute of Physics at Humboldt University of Berlin is an outstanding example of ecological urban development and a global pilot project integrating rainwater management with building cooling through greening. A key feature is the cooling system, which relies on air circulation processes supported by green roofs, facades, and an artificial wetland/pond incorporated into the building's exterior and courtyard.
Rainwater is collected in cisterns and used to irrigate the green façade, enabling evaporative cooling in air conditioning systems. Excess water is either evaporated in the inner courtyard through a pond or allowed to seep away. (Ref. 1; Ref. 4) The greening of the façade is directly linked to energy optimization. During summer, the green façade provides solar shading against extreme heat, while in winter, sunlight passes unobstructed through the glass façade. Additionally, evaporative cooling improves the microclimate inside the building and its surroundings. (Ref. 3)
Berlin, as a densely built city, faces challenges like urban heat and high energy demands for cooling. This project offers a research-driven solution. Monitoring measures water usage for various plants, evaluates evaporative cooling effects, and assesses impacts on the building's energy balance and overall economic and ecological performance. The findings aim to create a foundation for the long-term implementation of innovative, cost-effective technologies. This process is conducted by multiple regional universities. (Ref. 1)
The project was initiated and financed by the state of Berlin and implemented after the building's construction. (Ref. 4; Ref. 5) It serves as a benchmark for sustainable urban development and a research model for similar initiatives worldwide.

Herboristerie Créole, established in 2012 in Martinique by Séverine and Rémi Asensio, is a private farm and business focused on cultivating aromatic and medicinal plants, managing all stages of production, processing, and marketing. Situated in the commune of Gros-Morne, the farm draws on traditional Creole knowledge to produce medicinal plants and Creole cosmetics. Spanning 1.8 hectares, it is organized as a forest garden, featuring a diverse ecosystem that includes aromatic and medicinal plants, spices, fruit trees, and tropical flowers. Agroecological practices are central to its operation, with natural mulching from coconuts and green waste, and composting from the forest garden enriching the soil.
In addition, Herboristerie Créole operates a certified organic herbal dispensary in Saint Joseph, specializing in medicinal plants. The dispensary merges ancestral knowledge from the local "Rimèd Razié" tradition—a practice involving the use of native plants and natural remedies for healing, passed down through generations—with modern pharmaceutical standards. It produces a range of products, including herbal teas, infusions, spices, oils, and capsules for pharmaceutical and cosmetic use.
The farm is instrumental in preserving and passing on ancestral knowledge, which was once banned during the period of slavery, while ensuring that its artisanal products comply with dosage and safety regulations. Located at the foot of the Carbet peaks, the farm holds the Biological Farming (AB) label and follows agroecological methods through its "Jardin Créole" approach. It avoids the use of phytosanitary products, aims for zero waste, and implements measures to preserve biodiversity. (ref. 1, 2, 5, 6)

The Alexandria Governorate is especially susceptible to the impacts of climate change, a vulnerability exacerbated by its dense coastal communities and rapidly growing population (2). Both demographic shifts and urban development intensify how climate phenomena affect the people and infrastructure of Alexandria (1). Buildings, roads, and other concrete structures absorb and release solar heat, significantly contributing to the urban heat island effect, which is causing temperatures in the city to rise faster than in less developed areas (1). Despite Alexandria’s growing need for cooling green spaces, they currently make up only 0.25 percent of the total area within the Governorate, highlighting an urgent need for environmental interventions (3-6).
In response, Ahmed Gaber, chairman of the Alexandria Water Company, initiated a public awareness campaign in 2023 focused on the numerous benefits of planting green roofs (3-6). Green roofs serve multiple purposes: they extend the longevity of buildings, lower energy consumption, improve air quality, increase biodiversity, manage rainwater runoff, and mitigate the urban heat island effect (3). Furthermore, Gaber has emphasized the visual appeal of eco-friendly roofs, noting that green roofs offer an aesthetically pleasing option that enhances the urban landscape while serving critical environmental functions (4).
This initiative by the Alexandria Water Company marks a pioneering step among governmental organizations in the region, as they lead efforts to address climate and environmental challenges actively. The company has begun planting green roofs across its facilities, including the new Al-Mashishya water station, where green spaces atop buildings are set to bring lasting environmental benefits to Alexandria. Through these efforts, the Alexandria Water Company is working to set an example for public and private sectors alike (3-6).