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The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of the population in developing countries use medicinal plants for health prevention and care, primarily in rural areas (3). These plant species have therapeutic potential in treating various diseases, and they are considered safe and effective medications with fewer side effects and affordable prices (3). In Peru, medicinal plants have historically been used to treat respiratory, gastrointestinal, and digestive ailments. To this day, they continue to be used by both native and urban communities (3).
To promote, develop, and encourage research, innovation, and technologies related to the use, preservation, conservation, and employment of medicinal and food plants, the National Center for Social and Intercultural Research in Health (CENSI) of the National Institute of Health (INS) has inaugurated its medicinal and food plant nursery located in one of its facilities (Chorrillos) in Lima (1, 3). The primary objective of this project is to adapt various species from the coast, mountains, and jungle of the country and initiate a plant production program that contributes to improving public health, environmental quality and the revitalization of the ancestral knowledge of indigenous, Amazonian, Andean, and Afro-Peruvian communities (1). Additionally, it aims to contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change by creating green areas, reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels through plant photosynthesis, improving soil quality, and promoting the responsible use of water resources, among others (3).
For the development of this project, the INS is working in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration to benefit not only the health and well-being of the Peruvian community but also promote the integration and care of the migrant population in the country (2).

The Chaowan Nursery Garden Base Project (潮玩苗圃基地), located along the Dianchi Greenway in Kunming, was established by the Kunming Gardens Virescence Bureau (昆明市园林绿化局) in 2022 as part of the city's efforts to transform into a "city of parks" (Ref 2, 3). Covering 639 mu (42.6 hectares), the Chaowan Nursery Garden has introduced over 1.4 million plants, including trees, flowers, and grasses, greatly expanding the city's green spaces (Ref 3). It serves as a key resource for the Kunming Greening Service Center (昆明市绿化服务中心), providing seedlings for major greening projects along roads like Guangfu Road, Airport Road, Beijing Road, and the Second Ring Elevated Road (Ref 4).
Innovatively designed, the nursery also functions as a park, offering an "immersive" experience with various themed areas such as rainwater gardens, rural gardens, Chinese gardens, and scenic balconies. These spaces allow visitors to stroll through and enjoy the beauty of various flowers and natural surroundings (Ref 4). The project also collaborates with local universities on seedling research, capacity building, and resource sharing, further enhancing its multifaceted role (Ref 3).
Since opening to the public in 2023, the Chaowan Nursery Garden has become a popular destination for families, young people, and children, offering both recreational and educational experiences (Ref 5, 6, 7, 8).

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).

Brookley by the Bay is a 98-acre new waterfront park project along Mobile Bay's western shore (Ref 1). The park aims to reconnect people with the Mobile waterfront and coastal ecosystem (Ref 2). The area, once an abundant mosaic of tidal marshes, forested wetlands, and shallow lagoons, became a port, leading residents to lose contact with the natural landscape (Ref 2).
The park serves both recreational and environmental purposes, aiming to create and restore areas that enhance habitat resilience and allow coastal ecosystems to thrive (Ref 1). It features sports facilities, including kayaking, volleyball, golf, and biking, along with social gathering and educational spaces such as an amphitheatre lawn, a performance pavilion, and picnic tables (Ref 3, Images 1-3). The park provides safe and equitable access for all Mobile residents to nature, beaches, tree canopies, open fields, and varied shorelines, all connected by pedestrian and bike lanes (Ref 2). The project also focuses on habitat enhancement and restoration for biodiversity (Ref 3, Images 1 & 4), as well as flood protection through shoreline get-downs, vegetated edges (Image 4), and undulating berms and swales that serve as a layered protection system against stormwater and coastal flooding (Ref 2).
The development of Brookley by the Bay was guided by input from over 300 community members (Ref 1), local stakeholder organizations, and project partners, with the goal of establishing a more resilient, accessible, and enduring space for generations to come (Ref 2).

FoodLink, a network for food transition in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA), aims to create sustainable, competitive, and resilient agri-food systems closely integrated with regional and local spatial planning. The network's goals are to promote food security, economic and energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and socio-territorial cohesion by 2030. The network seeks to ensure that by 2030, 15% of the metropolitan area's food supply is secured locally through sustainable production methods, innovative solutions in water management, soil conservation, climate adaptation, and low-carbon distribution networks involving community gardens, urban allotments, and agricultural spaces within the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. (Ref 2)

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).

The "Line Park" project in Belgrade aims to create a continuous green belt spanning 4.6 kilometres and covering over 48 hectares. As such, the project will revitalize the former railway corridor from "Beton Hala", just below the Belgrade Fortress, to the Pancevac Bridge. Inspired by notable urban parks like New York's "High Line", Moscow's "Zagrađe," and Toronto's "Rail Corridor," it will become a major recreational destination and also help to alleviate the pressures from the city's heavy air pollution and summer heat (Ref. 5, 6).
The park will be divided into ten thematic sections dedicated to aromatic plant and flower gardens, urban gardening and beekeeping, sports facilities, a newly built university campus and more. Additionally, there will be an amphitheatre and facilities for outdoor education. To further integrate green infrastructure, new buildings will have green roofs and walls (Ref. 2,5). Ultimately, the park integrates a number of amenities into the entire city.
The development of the park also introduced innovative co-creation mechanisms in terms of governance and planning. Since Belgrade is part of the multinational CLEVER Cities Initiative, the city's Secretariat for Environmental Protection suggested the use of the site as a pilot test for introducing nature-based solutions in urban planning and with diverse stakeholders' input. Several workshops, focus groups, and consultations took place between 2019 and 2021, which facilitated the diversity of ideas that have been adopted into the official construction plan (Ref. 1, 2). Despite these successes, civil society groups raise concerns over the extraordinary cost of 70 million euros, displacement of Roma communities and the interest of real estate developers that may undermine the project's original cause (Ref. 3, 8).

The Dreamy Draw Recreation Area is located in Phoenix, Arizona. It is situated near the Phoenix Mountains Preserve and provides access to various hiking and biking trails, as well as scenic desert landscapes. The Dreamy Draw Recreation Area project is a comprehensive initiative aimed at enhancing an existing park space. Key improvements include infrastructure upgrades, trail enhancements, and ecological restoration efforts. Through the construction of new ramadas, expanded parking, and increased accessibility features, the project seeks to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all visitors. This endeavor was launched as part of the City's Drought Pipeline Project.
One important component of the project is revegetation, which includes the planting of native saguaros to support ecological restoration and improve the park's visual appeal. The project addresses several longstanding challenges, such as limited parking, outdated facilities, and the need for improved trail conditions. By adding more parking spaces, installing modern restrooms, and constructing accessible pathways, the enhancements contribute to a safer and more enjoyable experience for visitors. Additionally, the revegetation efforts help restore natural habitats and mitigate the ecological impacts of urbanization on the local environment.
In total, more than two dozen mature saguaros were replanted in the newly reopened Dreamy Draw Recreation Area, creating an “immediate visual impact,” particularly along Route 51. The Mountain Parks and Preserves Committee held a meeting on Monday evening to review the revegetation work completed over the summer, with the area reopening on September 7.
Of the 58 cacti planted in this project, 27 saguaros—referred to as "reclamation saguaros" by Wayne Colebank, a landscape architect on the project—were previously stored by Phoenix Water Services at the 24th Street Water Treatment Plant near Lincoln Drive and 24th Street. (1-11)

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)