Research organisation / University

HortaFCUL is a project created and managed by the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Lisbon to raise awareness and promote the practice of permaculture as a solution to the ecological, social, and economic problems the world is facing (1). This initiative began in 2009 on the University campus through a garden, which allowed HortaFCUL to start conducting some activities that could answer some socio-environmental challenges, such as food security and sovereignty, ecosystem degradation and climate change (13), by raising awareness, teaching, and practising many aspects involved in permaculture and urban agriculture (2). Its focus has been on regenerating soil in an urban environment and creating productive landscapes for people and other beings (12). They grow different types of plants (vegetables, shrubs, trees) in different ways (swales, raised beds, greenhouses) to increase plant diversity and foster ecosystems (13).
The project is managed by students and researchers, who hold educational activities, such as courses, workshops, and dissemination activities (events, discussions, fairs, and conferences) (2). The project is organised according to a non-hierarchical sociocratic model, in which all decisions are made as a group, and where all ideas, critiques, and suggestions are seen as added value and an opportunity to improve techniques and knowledge (3). Additionally, it is open to the community, allowing anyone interested to participate and volunteer (1).
HortaFCUL is also one of the pioneering permaculture projects in operation in the Lisbon region and is now recognized as a national reference centre for permaculture (2). Since its inception, HortaFCUL has sought to be a hub that attracts people, organizations, and other initiatives, and it is currently a point of contact between different projects and associations, such as local businesses, educational institutions, and networks (5).

The project focused on implementing multilayer blue-green roofs in four Italian cities—Cagliari, Palermo, Perugia, and Viterbo—as part of a broader European initiative to address climate change impacts in urban environments (1,3). Spearheaded by a collaboration between multiple Italian universities and the Dutch company Metropolder, the project began in 2019 (1,3). The primary goal is to enhance urban resilience by integrating green infrastructure capable of mitigating climate-related urban hazards such as flooding and heat waves, which are increasingly severe due to climate change and urbanisation (2,3).
The multilayer blue-green roofs combine the ecological benefits of traditional green roofs with an added water storage layer, allowing them to retain rainfall and manage runoff effectively (2,3). This dual function helps reduce pluvial flooding and the urban heat island effect, while also improving thermal insulation in buildings (2,3). Each installation was planted with low-maintenance, climate-adapted vegetation, and equipped with sensors to monitor ecohydrological and thermal performance over several years (1,3). These roofs are capable of retaining up to 100% of rainfall from significant events, thereby easing the burden on urban drainage systems and contributing to climate adaptation in Mediterranean cities (2,4).

Arizona is experiencing an unprecedented drought, now nearing 15 years and surpassing the most severe drought in over 110 years of recorded history (1). For Phoenix residents, accustomed to extreme heat and minimal rainfall, rising temperatures are bringing new health risks (3). Diminished rainfall not only leads to water scarcity but also raises temperatures, as the sun’s energy, instead of being absorbed to evaporate moisture, intensifies the heat on the ground (2). In 2023 alone, extreme heat claimed at least 147 lives, with Arizona seeing the majority of these fatalities. By early August, over 100 heat-related deaths had been reported in the state (2).
In response to these challenges, the Watershed Management Group (WMG) has collaborated with Arizona State University’s Sustainability Teachers’ Academies to develop a program that maximizes the desert’s limited rainfall to build community resilience (3). Their Schoolyard Water Education Program brings educational services to Phoenix schools, focusing on designing and installing rain gardens as part of outdoor learning initiatives (3). This hands-on approach transforms schoolyards into interactive laboratories where students learn the principles of sustainability through direct engagement with their surroundings (3).
A project at Clarendon Elementary School in Phoenix involved constructing a rain garden with native plants and wood chip mulch to help retain moisture (3). These gardens offer students a living classroom, where they can observe seasonal changes in native plant life, distinguish beneficial species from invasive weeds, and track rainfall to measure the garden’s water intake from rooftops and direct rain (3). Beyond the academic learning, rain gardens provide cooler, safer spaces for students to gather, fostering a lasting connection with nature and a deeper understanding of sustainable water practices (3).

Eliseo Collazos is located in the coastal desert ecosystem of the Lomas or ‘fog oasis’, an area that receives less than 10 mm of rainfall per year. Vegetation cover is of particular importance in the hills surrounding Lima, as it provides critical solutions to erosion, landslides and soil degradation in the ecologically degraded ecosystem of the Lomas. However, this ecosystem is facing risks from urbanisation, illegal mining and agricultural practices, resulting in the lack of the delicate mist-fed greenery for which the Lomas are known (2). This has led to increased particulate matter in the air due to exposure to sand and wind, aggravating respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis, which is prevalent in Lima's informal communities (2).
Low-income communities have inhabited this area, forced to migrate from the rainforest, highlands and city to the desert slums (4), who have only been able to settle in these landscapes with little access to resources, prone to disaster risk, little public investment in infrastructure and little access to green spaces (2). As a result, these communities live in poor conditions (1). For this reason, in 2013, the University of Washington, under its Urban Informal Communities Initiative programme (1), initiated a participatory project that sought to address the challenges faced by the inhabitants of this area (1, 2). In a series of participatory workshops, residents identified greenspace and food security as top priorities in their community; the Gardens, Greenspace and Health project responds to these priorities as an initial step towards the expansion of greenspace, agriculture and ecological restoration in and around the Eliseo Collazos community (2, 4).
Although individual families constructed them, the front yard gardens contribute to a shared public realm and community greening (4). The general project also involved the installation of fog catchers and the creation of common recreational spaces (4).

Since the 1980s, the Graefekiez neighborhood in Berlin's Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district has been a traffic-calmed area where all road users are treated equally, driving is limited to walking speed, and cars are permitted to stop anywhere. However, this once-progressive concept no longer functions effectively due to the significant increase in cars and delivery vehicles over the years. The streets no longer resemble a traffic-calmed zone, with traditional layouts featuring roadways, sidewalks, and parking spaces. As a result, many users fail to recognize the traffic-calmed nature of the area, leading to safety issues: vehicles drive too fast, delivery traffic causes conflicts, and streets are difficult to navigate safely.
Berlin’s transport sector faces the challenge of meeting legally mandated CO₂ reduction targets. Achieving these goals requires bold measures, including limiting private motorized transport (MIV), especially in densely populated areas where residents and visitors have access to alternative modes of transportation.
The "Graefekiez" project addresses these challenges through urban redevelopment aimed at improving livability and promoting sustainable urban mobility. Car parking has been banned from the streets, freeing up space for communal use such as lounge areas. As part of the "Graefekiez" project, the district office is converting parking spaces into green spaces and expanding tree disks to adapt to the climate and promote a sponge city.
The project was developed collaboratively with residents and NGOs through a participatory process led by the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district office, in partnership with the Berlin Social Science Center and Paper Planes e.V. Implementation began in 2023 on Graefestraße and Bockhstraße.After a six-month trial period, the district office decided in 2024 to make the measures permanent.
This initiative advances a safer, greener, inclusive urban environment while meeting climate and community goals. (Ref. 1, 2, 3)

The Phoenix Park initiative was carried out by the "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iași in partnership with the Iași Communitarian Foundation, the BorgWagner Fund, and the Municipality of Iași. It involved the rehabilitation of a green space within the university campus. Covering an area of 3,000 square meters, the renovation was based on the winning design from a student competition focused on improving campus spaces.
The park was designed to include facilities for physical exercise (calisthenics equipment), recreation (badminton court and ping-pong table), and social interaction spaces. It also serves as a buffer to reduce noise from the surrounding areas.
The total cost of the project amounted to 121,200 euros, with the university covering infrastructure expenses, the municipality providing the labor for rehabilitation, and the private fund contributing 15,150 euros. The implementation of the design was overseen by the student designer and coordinated by the NGO and the university’s Association of Student Architects.
This initiative is part of a larger urban regeneration project by the university, in collaboration with the municipality and the Communitarian Foundation, where several campus green spaces are being rehabilitated based on student designs. The overarching goal is to enhance students' quality of life and promote healthy lifestyles through the creation of green spaces during their time at the university. (1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 13, p. 92)

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 BASIC Cartagena Project is an applied research initiative focused on developing tools for integrated coastal water resource management in Cartagena, Colombia (ref 4). It is funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, and EAFIT University leads it in collaboration with the University of Los Andes, the University of Cartagena, the Foundation H.E.O., and the Regional Corporation CARDIQUE (ref 4). The goals are to reduce pollution, conserve ecosystem services, and implement climate change adaptation strategies in the coastal area (ref 3). The studies focus on Cartagena Bay (Recognized as the most polluted body of water in the Caribbean), the Dique Canal and the Magdalena River watershed, the local communities in the areas surrounding Cartagena Bay, principally the communities of Ararca and Barú (ref 5). During its first phase (2014-2017), the project concentrated on diagnosing pollution levels and sources. This included extensive monitoring of water quality and the socio-economic conditions of local communities (with a public health focus). The second phase (2018-2021) focused on developing early warning systems for pollution, educational programs, and knowledge transfer through community engagement. The third phase (2023) plans to expand the same activities from phase 1 & 2 to the Rosario and San Bernardo Islands, with continued collaboration among scientists, authorities, and local communities​ (ref 2, 3). Among its most significant achievements are the production of high-level scientific knowledge and the training provided to communities and environmental authorities. A notable impact of the project is its contribution to the formulation of seven policies, including the creation of an intersectoral committee for the environmental management of the Bay of Cartagena. This committee, for the first time, brings together various stakeholders, including fishing and tourism communities, to make decisions about environmental management (3)

A new addition has enriched Gdańsk's green spaces: the park at Szubieniczna Mountain near the Gdańsk University of Technology. This area, located behind the cutting-edge STOS building housing the "Kraken" supercomputer, has been transformed into a vibrant urban oasis. Covering approximately 7,500 square meters and costing 3.5 million zlotys, the park introduces a sustainable and welcoming environment for students, residents, and visitors alike.
The park aligns with the university's PG Climate Plan, a strategic initiative promoting environmental sustainability through research, education, and green infrastructure. Historically a neglected area with overgrown trees and bushes, it has now been revitalized to create a functional and aesthetic space that merges ecological values with public utility.
Key features of the park include over 1,500 new plantings—trees, shrubs, and flowers—that enhance biodiversity and create a visually appealing landscape. Ecological innovations such as a rain garden and energy-efficient lighting reflect the park's commitment to sustainability. Recreational and educational facilities include a mini amphitheater, an outdoor gym, and walking paths interspersed with gravel squares surrounded by flower meadows.
A new pathway connects the campus to Szubieniczna Hill, granting access to Gdańsk's largest water reservoir and offering stunning panoramic views. This transformation underscores how urban green spaces can address climate challenges while improving quality of life for the community. The Szubieniczna Mountain Park is not just a park—it’s a symbol of progress toward a greener future for Gdańsk. (1-2)

The ROOF WATER-FARM is an innovative demonstration site located in the heart of Berlin, near Potsdamer Platz, showcasing sustainable urban infrastructure that integrates wastewater treatment and food production. Situated in the "Block 6" quarter of the 1987 International Building Exhibition in Berlin-Kreuzberg, the site transforms wastewater and rainwater collected from nearby buildings into usable resources for farming and fertilizer production (Ref. 1). This project provides a real-world example of how sustainable systems can be incorporated into everyday urban design to enhance resilience and functionality.

At the ROOF WATER-FARM, water from rooftops and surrounding households is channeled into a treatment plant, where it is analyzed for micropollutants and purified. The treated water is then used for both fish farming in aquaponics systems and plant irrigation in hydroponic farming. The nutrient-rich water from the fish tanks nourishes plants, while also contributing to the production of food. This integrated approach actively supports climate protection by managing rainwater runoff and using plants for CO2 storage, helping to mitigate the urban heat island effect (Ref. 4).

This demonstration site embodies how cities can move toward a circular economy, where wastewater is reused for both farming and water management. The project also serves as a hub for learning and experimentation in sustainable urban design, with the greenhouse acting as a space for collaboration and innovation in infrastructure development (Ref. 2; Ref. 5). By incorporating these technologies into urban environments, the ROOF WATER-FARM demonstrates a future where buildings and neighborhoods efficiently recycle water, produce food, and reduce environmental impact.