Lowered local temperature

The municipality of Ciudad Juarez, in collaboration with UN-Habitat, has drafted a redevelopment strategy for an area known as "Paso de Oñate." This intervention falls within the broader framework of "Vision Ciudad Juarez 2040." The plan involves constructing a forested green belt along the southern edge of the Rio Grande (/Bravo) in the northwest part of Juarez, bordering the USA.
Currently in the planning stage, the project aims to restore the ecological function of various degraded areas along the Rio Grande, transforming them into a continuous, green, walkable, and recreational space. The strategy includes allowing vegetation to recover, introducing native plant species, and increasing tree cover to rehabilitate unmaintained parks, derelict areas, and degraded riverbanks. These areas will be equipped with new features and integrated with existing parks, schools, and playgrounds. The envisioned green corridor will enhance walking conditions, improve the perception of safety, offer recreational opportunities for all age groups, and deliver valuable ecosystem services such as temperature regulation, improved air quality, and water retention.
In addition to its ecological goals, the project has a historical and geographical dimension. It aims to incorporate cultural heritage elements, such as the monument of the New Citizen, Paso de Oñate, Turtles Park, and the beginning of the Acequia Madre. It will also connect with other green space initiatives, including the Mega Park "El Chamizal" and the "Corredor Cultural," which runs through the city center.
This intervention is being prioritized due to the area's ongoing social and ecological decline. Paso de Oñate is a critical border crossing point, which negatively affects mobility and air quality. The area also suffers from a high concentration of vacant housing, which contributes to the residents' perception of insecurity. (Ref. 1, 2, 3, 4)

Urban areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to the extensive use of concrete and asphalt, higher levels of pollution, increased population densities, and the concentration of infrastructure, all of which amplify the effects of extreme heat, drought, and severe weather. Urban tree cover play a vital role in helping cities mitigate the impacts of climate change by reducing greenhouse gases and alleviating the effects of extreme heat and other climate alterations that negatively impact human health. In 2023, dozens of volunteers from Bethune Elementary School planted 33 trees on the school grounds to provide future shade and help cool the environment. The project was funded by Arizona’s Public Service (APS) Community Tree Program, which aims to reduce the urban heat island effect by increasing tree canopy coverage in vulnerable communities.
The initiative was driven by Trees Matter, a local nonprofit organization focused on enhancing tree infrastructure in schools while educating students and staff on the importance of trees and tree care. Involving children in the tree planting process allows them to take what they’ve learned in textbooks and apply it in real-life situations, while also fostering a sense of community and belonging. This hands-on involvement not only educates but also creates lasting memories. The project’s goal is to combat the urban heat island effect by expanding tree canopy coverage, thus creating cooler, healthier shaded spaces for students in areas of Phoenix most affected by high temperatures.
With support from APS and Trees Matter, the volunteers worked together to plant trees that will provide much-needed shade on the school campus. APS’s Community Tree Program aims to provide shade and cooler spaces in neighborhoods that need it most, helping to reduce temperatures by 20 to 45 degrees. This effort is part of a broader initiative to improve the quality of life and mitigate the impacts of extreme heat in Phoenix (1-5).

Berlin has faced severe water shortages in recent years, with ponds, small lakes, and pools suffering significantly. Many have dried out or disappeared, causing habitats for countless animals and plants to vanish. Urbanization exacerbates the issue, as more areas become sealed, preventing rainwater from replenishing soil and water bodies. Recognizing the urgency, Berlin introduced the Eco-Account, a strategic reserve of areas and initiatives to mitigate the effects of urban development on nature and landscapes. Central to this is the Blue Pearls for Berlin program, focusing on revitalizing small water bodies to restore biodiversity and ecological balance.
The project identified approximately 30 ponds, pools, lakes, and ditches from over 100 candidates to be transformed into "blue pearls." These revitalized areas will support local ecosystems and improve Berlin’s water cycle. The Berlin Rainwater Agency, alongside departments responsible for nature, climate protection, and water management, is spearheading the initiative in collaboration with the Berlin Nature Conservation Foundation.
Two pilot sites—the Schleipfuhl/Feldweiher water complex in Marzahn-Hellersdorf and the Lankegrabenteich in Steglitz-Zehlendorf—were prioritized for restoration in 2024. These efforts include improving water quality and creating diverse habitats for wildlife. Enhancing small water bodies not only provides a refuge for animals and plants but also contributes to climate adaptation. Restored ponds and lakes can cool surrounding areas and improve the urban microclimate by utilizing locally accumulated rainwater. Blue Pearls for Berlin, approved by the Senate in 2022, aligns with the city’s Eco-Account framework, ensuring that these restored blue spaces offset ecological damage caused by infrastructure and urban projects. The initiative offers Berliners new ways to experience nature, fostering a balance between development and environmental preservation. (Ref. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7)

The Urban Forestry Plan for Cartagena, led by EPA Cartagena, outlines a comprehensive strategy for enhancing the city's green infrastructure. The plan focuses on selecting suitable tree species, planting, and management to achieve several goals: reducing heat through shade, creating microclimates, protecting against climatic events such as coastal erosion and windstorms, enhancing food security, and enhancing the landscape's beauty. Over 10 years, the plan aims to establish at least 100,000 additional trees, increase overall tree cover, enhance accessibility to green spaces, and build a main ecological structure based on natural resources and biodiversity. It also emphasises the importance of local knowledge and resources (ref 1).
Formulated with community input, the plan commenced in 2013 and involved a detailed assessment of existing urban vegetation and climate conditions, utilising tools such as iTree. The development included international conferences and expert consultations to ensure a robust and informed approach (ref 1).

In the city of Ciudad Juárez, the municipality, in collaboration with UN-Habitat, aims to design and create a park that encompasses the yards and unmaintained areas surrounding the railway station, transforming these spaces into an accessible and safe public area. This project covers over 500,000 square meters and addresses not only degraded areas but also several public squares. Described as "a coordinated urban recycling strategy," this initiative seeks to repurpose existing public squares and rehabilitate neglected spaces into vibrant green areas that feature universal accessibility, native vegetation, and urban furniture designed to enhance safety. The project also aims to provide increased recreational opportunities, improve permeability, and introduce additional shaded areas. A key component of improving permeability involves the restoration and incorporation of acequias—traditional historical irrigation systems that absorb and manage excess rainwater, thereby reducing the likelihood of flash floods.
Additionally, the project focuses on the restoration and promotion of significant historical buildings, such as the old railway station and the whiskey factory, integrating them into a larger cultural and sports facility area at the municipal scale. The overarching goal is to revitalize the site through effective coordination with the relevant authorities responsible for the spaces adjacent to the railway station, stretching from Plaza Misión de Guadalupe to Blvd. Municipio Libre. This collaborative effort aims to accommodate both sports and cultural facilities while also creating a green corridor.
Furthermore, the project intends to reforest, redesign, and enhance Plaza Misión de Guadalupe, Plaza Monumento a Benito Juárez, and other residual public spaces and gardens. This initiative aligns with its Public Space Strategy, which emphasizes the development of gender-inclusive and resilient public spaces.(Ref 1, 3, 4).

The Silk District is a real estate project by Prime Kapital in partnership with MAS P.L.C., integrating green spaces into its urban design (1-10). It focuses on regenerating a brownfield site, an abandoned industrial area left undeveloped in one of Iasi's neighborhoods (1). The project aims to revitalize the area, improving its aesthetics, reducing pollution, and repurposing it into a commercial and residential space (1). A key feature of the project is the incorporation of green spaces throughout its design (1).
The development spans 101,000 square meters, with 40,500 square meters (combined) dedicated to green spaces and "car-free" open areas (1, 2, 6, p.2). These green elements are designed to offer spaces for relaxation, recreation, and social interaction, while also contributing to environmental benefits such as air filtration, temperature regulation, rainwater drainage, and soil erosion prevention, all promoting better health for residents (1, 2, 4, 6, p.12). The landscape design includes “green islands” and vegetation-covered roofs for parking structures (4).
Launched in 2021 after receiving municipal approval, the project is ongoing and has already made significant progress, with over 10,000 perennial plants and 401 trees planted (4, 9). Upon completion, the landscape will feature 7,100 square meters of perennials, 3,000 square meters of shrubs, and an urban forest containing 2,400 trees (6, p.12).
The total investment in the project is €20,000,000 (7). In 2024, one of the completed office buildings earned a BREEAM green certification, achieving one of the highest possible scores, in collaboration with the consulting firm BuildGreen (5, 8). The landscape design was carried out by the architectural firm Beros Abdul+ (4). Before receiving approval, the project was opened for public consultation, and an independent online survey showed strong support from the community (15, 16).

Tempelhofer Feld stands as an innovative green solution in the heart of Berlin, addressing several issues of environmental justice, biodiversity, and urban resilience. Within the S-Bahn ring, only one in 20 residents lives in areas well-served by green spaces, and districts like Neukölln, Kreuzberg, and Tempelhof would face even greater scarcity without this vast expanse. Many residents in these neighborhoods lack access to private green spaces such as gardens or balconies. Without nearby parks, people are compelled to travel to other districts, exacerbating the congestion of green spaces and increasing local traffic.
Since its opening in 2010, Tempelhofer Feld has provided Berlin with over 300 hectares of open, green, leisure, and recreational space, making it one of the largest urban open spaces globally. Once the site of bustling air traffic, it is now a sanctuary for activities such as skating, strolling, gardening, picnicking, birdwatching, kiteboarding, and more. These wide-ranging uses showcase its transformation into an accessible, multifunctional green space that serves as a social equalizer, particularly for disadvantaged neighborhoods, a significance amplified during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The field is not just a recreational haven but also a vital ecological refuge. With over two-thirds of its area designated as green space, it hosts diverse ecosystems, including extensive natural meadows, lawns, and protected habitats for birds and other species. Certain areas are closed to the public to preserve these sensitive environments, emphasizing the balance between human activity and ecological conservation. Since 2019, animal landscape keepers, including around 100 resident sheep, have contributed to sustainable land management practices, promoting biodiversity and ecological health (Ref. 2).
Managed collaboratively by political, administrative, and societal actors, the site exemplifies integrated citizen participation in urban planning. (Ref. 3)

The Green Corridor Südpanke is a transformative restoration project that unveiled 700 meters of the river Südpanke, connecting Invalidenpark and Südpankepark in the heart of Berlin. This initiative, part of Berlin's broader mission to restore the Panke River, was spearheaded by the state of Berlin with a focus on ecological restoration, biodiversity enhancement, microclimate cooling, and creating recreational spaces to improve the quality of life for residents (Ref. 2; Ref. 3).
Historically, the river in this area was channeled underground. The project brought the Südpanke back to the surface, integrating ecological principles and landscape planning into the design. The restored section of the river now flows openly in a natural watercourse bed, making it accessible to the public (Ref. 5). The restoration was completed in 2021, transforming the area with features such as playgrounds, lawns, benches, and a continuous biking and walking path that weaves through the green spaces.
Work on the project began in 2010 but was interrupted by the construction of the neighboring headquarters of the Federal Intelligence Service. As a result, parts of the green corridor were opened to the public in 2012, with the full restoration completed nearly a decade later, in 2021 (Ref. 3; Ref. 6).
The project established a seamless connection for cyclists and pedestrians from Invalidenpark in the south to Südpankepark in the north. The new open water section cools the microclimate in Berlin's densely built-up center while providing a critical habitat for plants and animals. Embankments and meadows near the Federal Intelligence Service's property support wild bees and other pollinators, fostering biodiversity. The Green Corridor Südpanke is a vibrant example of how urban ecological restoration can contribute to sustainability, quality of life, and resilience in a growing city. (Ref. 2)

In Lisbon's Areeiro district, Urbem, a non-profit organization, is leading the creation of a 2500m2 Miyawaki mini-forest in Casal Vistoso Urban Park. This initiative involves densely planting native species to rapidly establish a diverse, self-sustaining forest ecosystem. Supported by the Lisbon City Council, the project aims to enhance urban biodiversity, improve air quality, and contribute to climate resilience. Volunteers from the local community play a crucial role in every stage, from preparing the land to planting and maintaining the forest. Despite initial challenges, such as a 40-50% plant survival rate, the forest is expected to become self-sustaining within three years. The project focuses on environmental restoration and seeks to engage and educate the community, fostering a sense of ownership and connection to these new green spaces (Ref 1; Ref 2; Ref 3; Ref 4).

The Rain Garden 2.0 project at Gdańsk University of Technology is an innovative green infrastructure initiative that manages and purifies rainwater while enhancing biodiversity. Part of the international NICE (Nature-based solutions for urban climate adaptation) initiative, this project serves as a living hub for testing solutions to address urban climate challenges. Opened in July 2023, the rain garden exemplifies a multifunctional approach to water retention, pollutant filtration, and urban biodiversity support. It is located behind the Faculty of Chemistry's Building C and has a capacity exceeding 11 cubic meters. (Ref. 1; Ref. 6)
The garden, designed by researchers from the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering under the leadership of Prof. Magdalena Gajewska, captures rainwater runoff to prevent urban flooding and mitigate the strain on storm sewer systems. It absorbs pollutants, improves water quality, and supports over 1,100 hydrophyte plants, creating a natural solution for heavy rainfall events.
Beyond water management, the garden contributes significantly to urban biodiversity. Its moist soil and diverse plant species—designed to thrive in a range of conditions—help create habitats for insects and other small wildlife, boosting ecological resilience. (Ref. 1)
The rain garden’s innovative design consists of several key components. The first stage channels rainwater into reservoirs, reducing the energy of inflowing water. Subsequent parts purify the water through sedimentation processes, effectively filtering out pollutants such as those from streets and roads. Early research shows that these purification methods work exceptionally well, retaining a broad spectrum of pollutants before the water reaches the garden’s main basin. The project also benefits from cutting-edge laboratory equipment, allowing for detailed monitoring and analysis of water quality. (Ref. 1)