New greenhouses in Gothenburg Botanical Gardens
The Gothenburg Botanical Gardens are replacing and expanding their old greenhouses, which had serious flaws in terms of work environment, climate and accessibility [Ref. 1]. The new greenhouses will be divided into sections with a diverse set of climates and preserve over 4000 species, some of which are extinct in their natural environments [Ref. 1-2]. A new visitors centre is also being built and will have ameneties such as a café, a shop, toilets and places to sit, which will improve the Botanical Gardens' ability to invite the public and educate about biodiversity. The greenhouse project aims to strengthen the Gardens' national and international standing within research and education [Ref. 4]. A significant share of the visitors today are domestic and international tourists, and the new greenhouses aim to promote that further. The Botanical Gardens are owned by the regional government (Region Västra Götaland), which is funding these new project activities. The construction is ongoing and plans to finish in 2028, but the greenhouses will not be fully open to the public before the inauguration in 2030. The project has an investment budget of about 56 million EUR, and will, in total, occupy 6600 sqm [Ref. 1-3].
Patch of Heaven
The himmelbeet is an intercultural, inclusive community garden in Berlin that has been inviting people to garden and harvest their own produce since 2013. The garden offers around 200 raised beds that are communal and can be rented by neighbors, individuals and institutions (Ref. 1; Ref. 3). The project aims to familiarize children and adults with ecology, sustainability and healthy eating and to offer space for social exchange and education, while being inclusive to people with different (dis)abilities and backgrounds (Ref. 2; Ref. 6). The design and implementation of environmental education workshops are a vital part of the work. (Ref. 1; Ref. 6) With its own café and vegetable production, himmelbeet is strongly oriented towards the principles of the economy for the common good. The garden team also looks after other gardens in the city - on behalf of educational institutions, social institutions, housing associations and neighborhoods. (Ref. 1; Ref. 6)
Originally located in Ruheplatzstrasse, the garden moved in 2021 to Gartenstrasse, because of land disputes with the providing land owners and the demand of the space for other social projects. (Ref. 8; Ref. 11)
Originally located in Ruheplatzstrasse, the garden moved in 2021 to Gartenstrasse, because of land disputes with the providing land owners and the demand of the space for other social projects. (Ref. 8; Ref. 11)
Trénnelle-Citron Experimental Garden
Trénelle-Citron, located north of downtown Fort-de-France and separated by the city bypass, La Rocade, was originally established in the 1940s by Black Martinicans migrating from rural areas. Today, the neighborhood faces significant economic and social challenges. In 2016, young residents from the neighborhood alongside a local NGO launched a grassroots initiative to improve their community. They transformed a former municipal quarry, which had deteriorated into an informal dump, into a thriving shared urban garden, benefiting the local population. This project, based on traditional ecological gardening techniques and the cultivation of native crops, aimed to revitalize Trénelle-Citron—a densely populated area grappling with social exclusion, a shortage of green spaces, and limited economic opportunities for its youth (Ref 2).
The garden, developed on municipal land with guidance from the Ypiranga Martinique NGO, support from the local school, and collaboration from various stakeholders, now plays a vital role in the area. It raises awareness about agroecology, offers socioeconomic opportunities, promotes healthier lifestyles, and fosters social connections among residents. Spanning approximately 1,000 m², the site includes an office, a covered area, tool storage containers, market garden plots, a composting area, and a chicken coop managed by a local resident (Ref 7). In Martinique, such shared urban gardens are increasingly seen as important tools for sustainable development (Ref 5).
The garden, developed on municipal land with guidance from the Ypiranga Martinique NGO, support from the local school, and collaboration from various stakeholders, now plays a vital role in the area. It raises awareness about agroecology, offers socioeconomic opportunities, promotes healthier lifestyles, and fosters social connections among residents. Spanning approximately 1,000 m², the site includes an office, a covered area, tool storage containers, market garden plots, a composting area, and a chicken coop managed by a local resident (Ref 7). In Martinique, such shared urban gardens are increasingly seen as important tools for sustainable development (Ref 5).
More bees for Berlin
Mehr Bienen für Berln - Berlin blüht auf is a project that aims to provide an example of how public green spaces can be upgraded to be pollinator-friendly, thus creating urban habitats for wild bees and other insect species (Ref. 4). The project was implemented by the German Wildlife Foundation in cooperation with the Berlin Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and Environment and other stakeholders, in all 12 Berlin districts, whereby the districts support the allocation of the exact location for the NBS (Ref. 3; Ref. 4). Measures for each location are compiled based on the specific surroundings, use and existing vegetation with a low mowing frequency in all areas (Ref. 2; Ref. 4). Most of the areas are road median strips, roundabouts, designated areas in parks or residual commercial areas (Ref. 4). After the first phase (2018-2022), the project has now entered its second phase (2023-2025) and was renamed to “Mehr Bienen in Berlin - Aus Grün wird Bunt” (engl.: More bees in Berlin - from green to colourful) (Ref. 3). The main goals are to reach a minimum of 100 flowering areas in 2025, to halt the sharp decline in bees and other insects, and to inspire citizens to protect wild bees (Ref. 1,2, 3). The project has so far limited acceptance among the population, as the areas are regarded as unkempt due to the low mowing frequency. Public relations work, like the installation of information signs next to the areas, is intended to increase understanding among the public (Ref. 4).
Monsanto Forest Park's Management Plan
The Monsanto Forest Park Management Plan focuses on enhancing the Monsanto Forest Park as an urban ecosystem, thereby improving ecological health and biodiversity while promoting sustainable resource use and integration with urban areas. Key interventions include managing invasive species, preventing forest fires, and supporting native habitats. The plan also aims to improve recreational and educational facilities, reduce automobile traffic, and enhance public accessibility. It aims to cover conservation efforts, recreational use and urban integration as well as promoting the park as a model for sustainable urban forestry. The implementation is overseen by the Lisbon City Council. (Ref 1,4).
In 2021, this historic urban forest received the Forest Management Recertification under the Forest Stewardship Council®, "the most important global certification in terms of environmental compliance of forestry operations (Ref. 6).
In 2021, this historic urban forest received the Forest Management Recertification under the Forest Stewardship Council®, "the most important global certification in terms of environmental compliance of forestry operations (Ref. 6).
Model cultivation at Angereds Gård
The model farm is a small-scale organic vegetable farm according to the principle of a "market garden", meaning little machine use is required [1]. More than 40 different vegetables were grown in an effective growing area of 720 m2, using principles of regenerative agriculture promoting soil health [Ref. 4, 6]. An important outcome is sustainably producing vegetables for schools and care homes in the municipality [Ref. 1-3]. The initial vision was to "showcase both the farming and business model behind a sustainable and successful small-scale farming enterprise" and drive the "integration of regenerative farming practices in the continuous evolution of urban and rural multifunctional landscapes" [Ref. 4, 6]. The model farm offers education and cooperates with a local college [Ref. 1, 6]. The model farm is part of the Climate-KIC SATURN project which aims to reconnect urban and rural areas and address the climate crisis through sustainable food production [Ref. 1, 5, 7].
Living Wall at the New Street Train Station
Air pollution is one of the most pressing sustainability challenges in the UK, with particulate levels exceeding both WHO guidelines and EU safe limits in many cities (Ref 6). In 2014, Birmingham was identified by the WHO as one of nine UK cities breaching air pollution safety guidelines (Ref 2, 3).
In 2012, a soil-based green wall was installed at Birmingham New Street Train Station as part of a project aimed at improving air quality, as diesel train services contribute significantly to nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution. However, most of the plants did not survive. In 2017, Network Rail commissioned a private company to reconstruct the wall using a hydroponic system (Ref 3). The new green wall was installed in 2018 and completed in May 2019 (Ref 1, 3).
This hydroponic green wall not only enhances the urban environment with calming green infrastructure, but also helps mitigate air pollution and promotes biodiversity with the addition of 16,600 plants (Ref 1, 2, 3).
In 2012, a soil-based green wall was installed at Birmingham New Street Train Station as part of a project aimed at improving air quality, as diesel train services contribute significantly to nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution. However, most of the plants did not survive. In 2017, Network Rail commissioned a private company to reconstruct the wall using a hydroponic system (Ref 3). The new green wall was installed in 2018 and completed in May 2019 (Ref 1, 3).
This hydroponic green wall not only enhances the urban environment with calming green infrastructure, but also helps mitigate air pollution and promotes biodiversity with the addition of 16,600 plants (Ref 1, 2, 3).
The Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
The Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area is a urban green space that transformed a former 5-mile-long city dump into a thriving riparian corridor (2, 3, 7, 9). The project, spearheaded by the City of Phoenix in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Maricopa County Flood Control District, and the Arizona Water Protection Fund, has revitalized a degraded ecosystem (9). Through decades of concerted effort, involving government agencies, non-profits such as the Arizona Sustainability Alliance, and community engagement, the area has been restored to a lush habitat supporting diverse wildlife, including over 200 bird species (1, 2, 7). The project aimed to mitigate the pressing issues of urban heat, air pollution, and habitat loss that Phoenix grappled with (1). By creating green spaces, improving air quality, and offering recreational opportunities, the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area stands as a testament to the power of collaborative conservation and community resilience (1, 6, 7, 9). The restoration area now boasts hiking and biking trails, a nature center, and various educational programs, making it a community space (3, 7, 9).
Green Roof of Banyuwangi International Airport
Banyuwangi International Airport in East Java is the first green airport in Indonesia and was recognized with an award from the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) in 2021-22, the world's oldest and most prestigious architecture awards (1,2,3,4). This project was designed and implemented by Architect Andra Matin in 2018 as a corporate social responsibility project for the Banyuwangi Regional Government, Java, Indonesia (1,2,4). The project building was extensively inspired by the houses of the local Osing tribe (1,2). The project aimed to embody a highly efficient passive design, with its remarking green roof feature of a total area of 4765m2 that is planted with grass and routinely maintained (1,2,3,5,6). The green roofs act like a sponge for heat, light and water and conserve energy by maintaining a constant temperature inside the building, and as a result, the airport does not require air conditioning in the main area (5). The green roof of the airport improves air quality as it captures airborne pollutants and atmospheric deposition, and the plants on green roofs also filter noxious gases (5). The eco-friendly airport terminal construction utilizes 'Fast Flow Siphonic System', especially for conventional roof drainage (5). The regional government declared a 10 km radius 'No Development Zone' around the project, protecting the existing paddy fields and villages, which is an exceptional move given the general tendency to exploit land around airports commercially (1,2). The current airport site caters to around 300,000 passengers annually and allows for future expansion to accommodate up to 3 million passengers without encroaching on the No Development Zone (2).
Selangor Maritime Gateway and Klang River Rehabilitation
The rehabilitation of the Klang River or Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) is a project that was put into effect in 2018 by the Selangor State Government. The project aimed to transform the Klang River, considered the most polluted river in Malaysia, into a beautiful and clean river which can be a new source of economic growth in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. The river has been polluted with trash, plastic bottles, and sewage, which harmed the vegetation and the aquatic ecosystem (1). The project proved to be highly complex as it included rehabilitation of the river through several green solutions such as the creation of a community park, the conservation of various species of mangroves, and the implementation of riverfront greens as a measure of slope protection. The intervention is set to be developed on an area of 56 Km along the Klang River corridor. It is expected to promote and support the integrated management of river basins with particular emphasis on ensuring that biodiversity and wetland conservation and community considerations are incorporated into river basin management that includes the development of eco-city (3,5,6). Furthermore, the project intends to conduct an awareness campaign about river cleaning and rehabilitation activities to educate the public on the importance of rivers and the environment in our lives while consequently highlighting the critical state of pollution faced by the River (1).
