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Rinia Park has been a significant social and recreational area in the center of Tirana since the 1950s. Over the years, it has undergone several phases of development and restructuring, each linked to the socio-political regime of the time (Ref. 1). Its most recent rehabilitation was driven by the need to revitalize public spaces and improve the quality and accessibility of urban green areas. In 2019, extensive work on enhancing the park’s infrastructure and amenities began. By June 2020, installations were completed, including new and diverse playgrounds for children, improved lighting and drainage systems, expanded walking paths as well as designated chess and dog areas (Ref. 1,2,6). Both children and the elderly benefit from these new features, which promote social interaction and make the park more inclusive for different age groups (Ref. 2).
To protect the Independence Monument from vandalism, a surrounding water feature was added. An additional benefit of the the new lighting installation is the extended access of the park well into the evening (Ref. 1,6).
Given the park’s profound history, it stands as a symbol of urban renewal and continues to serve as a central gathering spot for people and cultural events (Ref. 7).

The Tagus Estuary Linear Riverside Park is a significant environmental and recreational project in Vila Franca de Xira. As part of a broader urban regeneration initiative, the park aimed to enhance the natural and cultural landscape by promoting ecological regeneration while providing public access to the Tagus River (Ref 1). Created in 2013, the park has won several international awards and since then, the park has undergone several extensions. In 2017, another 700-meter walkway was added towards Santa Iria, and the inhabitants of this urban area of Vila Franca de Xira widely use it (Ref. 6). The park covers over 14 hectares and includes pedestrian and cycling paths, environmental education facilities such as the Bird Observatory, and the Environmental and Landscape Interpretation Centre (Ref 2).
Recently announced in 2023, the park's newest expansion is set to extend the riverside trails further, creating a continuous route from Lisbon to Alhandra (Ref 5). With future phases planned, the project is expected to significantly increase public interaction with the riverfront and its biodiversity (Ref 5). In this new project phase, the Vila Franca de Xira Municipal Council begins the requalification and environmental and landscape conservation of another section of the riverfront of the Municipality of Vila Franca de Xira, between Alverca and Sobralinho, covering an extension of approximately 4.9 km and an area of ​​approximately 14.1 hectares (Ref. 7). The extension of the park will be developed similarly to its existing infrastructure. New paths for pedestrians and cyclists will be created using elevated wooden structures (walkways). In total, two new cycle-pedestrian trails will be created – Trilho das Comportas (3.32 kilometres long) and the Trilho dos Salgados (594 metres long) –, and the Trilho do Tejo will be extended by a further 990 metres (Ref. 5).

Located in the Lima district of San Isidro - the heart of commercial activity in Peru - the Real Dos Tower is a prime office building in the Centro Empresarial Real de San Isidro. It was inaugurated in 2018, and it is distributed over 23 levels (14 floors and 9 basements) and enjoys a landscaped green roof (1162 m2) at the crown of the building and numerous outdoor vertical gardens at full height (2365 m2) on the three main fronts (1, 4). This project was a finalist in the 2018 Mipim Awards, considered the ‘Oscars’ of world architecture, and stood out for its architecture and design, due to its attributes of innovation and sustainability (2).
This building has managed to create harmony between design and efficient use of resources. It is characterised by a glass façade with colourful movable shutters and symbolic Peruvian designs (2, 3, 6). It has green walls on the three main fronts, four daylight fronts and a roof garden (2). The architect, Jean Nouvel, worked together with ARVE Peru on the overall landscape plans for the Real Dos tower (1, 3).
This is part of the façade remodelling project of the Camino Real Towers in the Real Business Centre, led by the real estate company Grupo Centenario (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). This overarching Project has sought to develop 4,475 m2 of vertical gardens and roof gardens, which have a technified irrigation system to generate efficiencies in water use, meeting the plants' water requirements in the different seasons of the year. Their implementation helps to filter CO2 and renew the O2 in the office complex.
The ARVE group describes these actions as conducive to creating thermal barriers and sound insulation, a better environment for rest, work and entertainment and increasing property value (7)

The intervention in the Sant'Elia neighborhood, which opened in 2018, created a new green area of approximately 2,600 square meters designed to enhance the urban environment and improve the quality of life for residents. This space includes an olive grove and an orchard, featuring pathways and landscaping that integrate local plant species.
Along the side facing Via Utzeri, olive trees and a small grassy area have been planted, complemented by stabilized gravel paths for walking. The orchard contains 28 fruit trees, including citrus, pomegranate, quince, and fig trees, along with Mediterranean shrubs, allowing residents to freely enjoy the fruits for their own consumption.
The entire area is equipped with an automated drip irrigation system, while the grassy sections utilize sub-irrigation. Additionally, a central roundabout in Piazza Giovanni da Verrazzano has been adorned with a lawn, palms, and vibrant rose beds.
Commemorative plaques honor tenor Piero Schiavazzi and local resident Samuele Utzeri, who tragically passed away in Kosovo. The area also features signs encouraging respectful harvesting of fruits and permits dogs, provided they are kept on a leash (Refs. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5).

The Çukurova Arboretum is located 17 km from the city centre of Adana, close to the Seyhan Dam lake. Established in 1997, it aims to conserve and protect plant species and vegetation from the region and those adapted to the Mediterranean climate (Ref. 2,5). Given its location outside the city centre and its proximity to freshwater resources, the Arboretum has been praised as a refuge for relaxation and recreation away from the stress of the city (Ref. 1,3). The area has been established by the Regional Forest Directorate of Adana in cooperation with the Istanbul University, department of Forestry (Ref. 2,3). In 2011 and 2013 new infrastructure was added to the arboretum, including a nursery, main road network connection and irrigation (Ref. 2). Visitors and researchers can access over 1050 ha hosting more than 700 plant taxa in different thematic areas, such as mediterranean vegetation, rose gardens, succulent and cactus areas, medicinal and aromatic plant gardens and an aquatic plants exhibition center which is a special feature to the site (Ref. 2). For research specifically, laboratory projects have been established and nurseries continue to ensure the supply of plant material (Ref.1). Over the years, the Arboretum has been equipped with more elaborate infrastructure and exhebition sites as well as educational material available to visitors (Ref.1,2,4).

This initiative is a community-based urban greening effort targeting environmental and social co-benefits in Cartagena’s El Pozón neighbourhood. It involved the planting of 491 fruit and timber trees along a 1,500-meter linear stretch, covering nearly two hectares in the Terraplén sector of the neighbourhood. Led by the "Establecimiento Público Ambiental" (EPA), it was developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Gerencia de Espacio Público, Guardia Ambiental, SENA students, the Police, and community members (ref 1, 2). The project's primary goal was to enhance the environmental quality and aesthetics of the El Pozón neighbourhood by planting trees that provide ecological benefits, such as improving air quality, reducing temperatures, and enhancing biodiversity. Additionally, the initiative aimed to foster community engagement in environmental conservation, particularly in raising awareness about the importance of protecting and maintaining nature. The community is also expected to take on the responsibility of maintaining the planted trees, promoting a sense of ownership and sustainable stewardship (ref 1).

The Adana Central Park stretches along both riverbanks of the Seyhan River. The idea was first introduced by the former mayor of the city, Aytaç Durak, in the late 80s to address the need for accessible green spaces in the developing area (Ref, 2). Previously, citrus gardens and informal settlements were located on these riverbanks, which now host over 400.000 plants and 67 different tree species on an area of 33 ha (Ref. 2,5,6). In 1998 construction of the park began, which lasted until 2004 (Ref. 2,5). The park is appreciated by visitors for its aesthetically landscaped appearance and the many amenities for children, youth, relaxation and socializing (Ref. 7). The two sides of the river are connected via bridges or, alternatively, visitors can board the Venetian style gondolas to access either side (Ref. 5). In 2021, park lighting infrastructure has been extensively replaced to ensure accessibility and safety during day and nighttime (Ref. 3).

The ReDuna project, initiated in 2014, focuses on restoring the sand dune ecosystem in Costa da Caparica (Almada) in response to severe coastal erosion exacerbated by sea-level rise and winter storms. It aims to strengthen the resilience of dunes to environmental pressures while restoring ecological balance. Actions include sand nourishment, the installation of willow sand fences, and the planting of 100,000 native species. Community engagement was a key factor, involving local residents, NGOs, and schools in maintenance and replanting efforts. The project has been successful, with significant biodiversity recovery, establishing deep-rooted vegetation, and stabilising the dunes. Ongoing monitoring and adaptive management are central to its strategy, ensuring long-term sustainability. The ReDuna project serves as a replicable model for similar coastal protection initiatives globally (Ref 1).

The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT) features a 2,920-square-meter green roof (Ref 8). Located on the riverfront of the historic Belém area in Lisbon, MAAT, inaugurated in 2017, comprises the repurposing of a thermoelectric power station built in 1908 (MAAT Central), a contemporary museum building (MAAT Gallery), connected by a garden that stretches along the Tagus River (MAAT Garden) (Ref. 3).
Blending structure into landscape, MAAT was designed to allow visitors to walk over and under its building, in which "the roof becomes an outdoor room, a physical and conceptual reconnection of the river to the city’s heart – where visitors can turn away from the river and enjoy the vista of the cityscape, and at night, watch a film with Lisbon as a backdrop sitting on the bank of steps" (Ref. 1). This roof, part of AL_A’s (design company) architectural vision, offers panoramic views of Lisbon and the Tagus River (Ref 1), and complementing the green roof is a 225-meter-long garden designed by Vladimir Djurovic, which connects MAAT to the Central Tejo power station. This garden features diverse vegetation (Ref 2, Ref 3, Ref 4).

The Adana Urban Park was created in 2024, replacing an aged sports stadium (Ref. 6). The park, located in a densely populated part of the city, was designed to enable access to a place for socializing and recreation in the city centre (Ref. 1,2,5). Especially families, youth, and the elderly will benefit from the installed amenities - they include a large public coffeehouse of about 850m², diverse playgrounds, walking, running and cycling paths, as well as several gardens hosting orchards, aromatic plants and other local vegetation (Ref. 1,3,4,5). The park has a total area of ca. 4.8 ha and was approved by the Government of Türkiye - Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change (Ref. 3,6). Beyond its social benefits, Adana Urban Park is expected to aid in alleviating the pressure of air pollution in the city (Ref. 4).