Ayala Triangle Gardens
The 2-hectares public garden is located in Makati Central Business District of Metro Manila between the main arteries of Makati - Paseo de Roxas, Makati Avenue and Ayala Avenue - that form a triangle in the backyard of business towers. [2, 4]. The Garden was opened to the public in 2009 and showcases various trees and other plant species alongside numerous public artworks created by local artists [2]. The park provides habitat for hundreds of various trees of types, including rain trees, golden palms, fire trees, orange jasmines, and podocarpus. Two Filipino artists, Ovvian Castrillo-Hill and Ral Arrogante have created public art pieces scattered throughout the park [2,4]. The garden is also paved with verdant patches, providing a space for office workers to unwind and destress. In addition to serving as a place of recreation, the Ayala Triangle Gardens also hosts the yearly Festival of Lights as well as various music festivals. The Ayala Triangle Park is the first urban park to be built in Manila and the lush gardens are now considered a refuge for the residents of Makati [1,2,3].
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).
Nisarg Udyan: From dumpyard to forest
In 2021, the local municipal government of Navi Mumbai City and a local NGO converted a neglected urban space used as a dump yard in Nisarg Udyan into a healthy and dense forest (Ref 1,2). The aim of the project was to improve biodiversity and complement the local ecosystem, choosing specifically native species from the local area for plantation (Ref 3). By applying the Miyawaki forest technique, the project was able to transform the wasteland into a 3-acre mini-forest quickly. A civic officer on behalf of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) drove the re-forestation project jointly with the support of Green Yatra, a local NGO, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding support from Sony Music Entertainment (Ref. 1, 3).
Reconstruction of Botanical Garden
In 2018, the Bulat Utemuratov’s Foundation began reconstruction works at the main Botanical Garden in Almaty at the request of the Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction and with the support of the governor of Almaty city [1, 5, 6]. The goal of the project was the restoration of the botanic garden with preservation of its original green character and the modernization of its infrastructure [2, 5]. Taking into account the special status of the Botanical Garden and the high public interest in the reconstruction project, the Foundation ensured full transparency to the public. Taking public recommendations into considerations, the schematic design of the reconstruction was approved in the autumn of 2018 [6]. The project also aimed to do no harm to the existing flora and fauna of botanical gardens, and apply new technology to provide long service life to the garden [1, 4].
To achieve the project's goals, the water supply system was restored, drip and auto irrigation systems were created. Around 174.3 thousand plants were planted, including more than 1300 trees. Additionally, 50 thousand sq.m of roads and paths were repaired, lighting systems and video surveillance systems were installed, and the garden furniture was renovated [1]. The project also resulted in the development of three new entrance pavilions with an electronic ticketing system. A mobile application with a garden map and a description of the green areas has been developed [5]. Special attention was paid to the accessibility of all zones of the Botanical Garden for low-mobility groups. [1, 4, 5, 6].
Confirming the success of the project, within three months after the reconstruction was completed, over 210 thousand persons visited the Almaty Botanic Garden [6].
To achieve the project's goals, the water supply system was restored, drip and auto irrigation systems were created. Around 174.3 thousand plants were planted, including more than 1300 trees. Additionally, 50 thousand sq.m of roads and paths were repaired, lighting systems and video surveillance systems were installed, and the garden furniture was renovated [1]. The project also resulted in the development of three new entrance pavilions with an electronic ticketing system. A mobile application with a garden map and a description of the green areas has been developed [5]. Special attention was paid to the accessibility of all zones of the Botanical Garden for low-mobility groups. [1, 4, 5, 6].
Confirming the success of the project, within three months after the reconstruction was completed, over 210 thousand persons visited the Almaty Botanic Garden [6].
Evozone Rain Garden
Spanning over 32000 square meters and featuring a landscaped rainwater catchment basin [5], the Rain Garden was created in 2014 in the Nuvali district of Santa Rosa. The garden offers an example of eco-friendly urban planning in the Philippines, as the Nuvali district is an eco-city itself with residential, business and commercial areas. Besides the Evozone Rain Garden, Nuvali also has various nature amenities, including a multi-functional lake, cycling and hiking paths, a wildlife and bird sanctuary and camping grounds. The Evozone Rain Garden was established in a commercial development area and it includes spacious open areas and cycling paths, along with the footbridge and view deck and adjacent to the manmade lake in Nuvali [2]. The Rain garden also serves as a rainwater catchment basin, rainwater harvesting system, and fire reserve, providing recycled water for landscaping, irrigation and other non-potable water uses [1]. In addition, the garden has been developed to serve as a habitat for various bamboo varieties and birds [4], also making the garden an ideal birdwatching spot [3]. The EvoZone Rain garden is free and open to the public [2].
Terminal in a garden - Bangalore airport
Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (KIAB)'s new terminal 2 is an environmentally friendly initiative that uses innovative methods to maintain ecological sustainability using native plants (Ref 1, 2). The terminal was built on four guiding principles: technology leadership, being a terminal within a garden, environmental and ecological stewardship, and a celebration of Karnataka’s rich heritage and culture. Through the "terminal within a garden" project, the aim was to create a calming and relaxing space for passengers using greenery for visual appeal as people pass through the airport (Ref 1). Hanging gardens, trees, and green walls are the primary nature-related features included in the terminal and an outdoor greenbelt around the terminal. The airport uses native plant species, including trees, flowering plants, and shrubs (Ref. 2).
The terminal area also includes water bodies, cascades, and miniature waterfalls to maintain the natural atmosphere. The terminal also has extensive rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge facilities (Ref 1). Other sustainable goals in the terminal area include energy saving, water conservation, waste management, and pollution control measures (Ref 2).
The terminal area also includes water bodies, cascades, and miniature waterfalls to maintain the natural atmosphere. The terminal also has extensive rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge facilities (Ref 1). Other sustainable goals in the terminal area include energy saving, water conservation, waste management, and pollution control measures (Ref 2).
Rajokri Lake Rejuvenation Project
The Rajakori lake rejuvenation project aimed at reviving an existing lake using a natural and sustainable treatment system, the "Scientific Wetland with Active Biodigester (SWAB)". SWAB technology uses a two-step process involving (i) a sedimentation tank equipped with a biodigester and (ii) a constructed wetland system. The untreated sewage waste is passed through this two-step process that uses microbes and plants to reduce pollutant levels. The project also involved redeveloping the public space around the lake for community use (Ref 1,2). Before 2017, the lake was overfilled with sewage and waste from nearby neighbourhoods due to a lack of proper sewage management. Initiated by the Delhi Government, the project aimed at using low-cost natural methods rather than conventional techniques involving concretized bases and chemicals to treat water (Ref 1, 4). Due to its success and cost-effectiveness, this project now serves as an excellent example for other projects within Delhi (Ref 5).
Biophilic Green Roof at Prestige University
A low-rise building located within Prestige University's existing 32-acre campus in Indore will feature an entirely walkable, stepped green roof. The green roof is planned to be punctuated with courtyards for temperature regulation and accessible to its users (university staff, students and other visitors etc.) from the ground level (1,2). It is designed and implemented by 'Sanjay Puri Architects', Architecture Consultancy based in Mumbai (1,2,6). This building is planned to be used for administration offices, an auditorium, lecture halls, and a library and cafeteria (1,2,3). The green roof mainly serves as a space for recreational activities for the users. The terraces will also include different-sized open-air sections, providing the building's interior with natural ventilation (2,4,5). This project truly blends with the traditional Indian Architecture approach in an innovative and modern way (4,5) and targets problems related to central India's oppressive heat (1,2,4).
Despite the initial target completion date of June 2022 (9), the construction phase of the project has not yet been finalized. The responsible architecture firm anticipates the completion date within the forthcoming months. This information was disclosed in January 2023 (10).
Despite the initial target completion date of June 2022 (9), the construction phase of the project has not yet been finalized. The responsible architecture firm anticipates the completion date within the forthcoming months. This information was disclosed in January 2023 (10).
Raja Musa Forest Reserve Peat Swamp Rehabilitation
In 2010, to revamp the Raja Musa Forest Reserve (RMFR), a rehabilitation project was initiated by the Friends of North Selangor Peat Swamp Forest Association (a local NGO) in collaboration with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. As part of the largest peat swamp forest complex on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, the Raja Musa Forest Reserve (RMFR) is an important home to many threatened species, as well as a valuable ecosystem in the fight against global warming. Despite this, over the years the forest has been subjected to fires and illegal encroachment which severely reduced its area (1). The project was considered unique as it was an innovation aimed to enhance and strengthen the capacity of the local community in peatland water management and forest rehabilitation works (3,5). Activities included among others rehabilitation of the degraded peat forest through the plantation of new seedlings, demonstration of, and provision of a documentary model for community-based peat swamp forest rehabilitation, as well as the creation of an awareness programme with the local community and dissemination of educational materials (2).
The importance of the intervention consists not only in the implementer's approach in regard to nature-based solutions but also in its aim of documenting a "model of low-cost hydrologic restoration of peat swamp forest" which ultimately should be replicated in similar conditions but in various locations (2).
The importance of the intervention consists not only in the implementer's approach in regard to nature-based solutions but also in its aim of documenting a "model of low-cost hydrologic restoration of peat swamp forest" which ultimately should be replicated in similar conditions but in various locations (2).
The floating vegetable gardens of Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a country prone to floods and waterlogging, which results in two-thirds of this nation's land being transformed into wetlands each year. As such, much land becomes unavailable and the restricted access to it causes food insecurity as well as severe environmental pressure on the flora, fauna and ecosystems. The impact is even more serious as agriculture is one of the most important contributors to Bangladesh's GDP (1).
To respond to most of the climate challenges and food insecurities, in 2007 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the humanitarian agency Care International, alongside other partners (including the Bangladeshi government), launched floating gardening (artificial islands, that simply rise and fall with the swelling waters) pilot project in the peri-urban area of the Gopalganj and other close by districts (1,2).
Floating gardens known locally as Baira are an old practice of crop cultivation in the wetlands of Bangladesh, the previous agricultural land, which got destroyed by the floods. The practice consists of piling together a number of dense layers of aquatic weeds like water hyacinth, duckweed, or paddy stubs and letting them decay. Afterwards, they're combined with silt and cow dung and inserted with plant/vegetable seeds left to flourish. On these beds, farmers cultivate fruits and vegetables like turmeric and ginger as well as okra, bitter gourd, snake gourd, spinach, and brinjal. In addition to veggies, rice seedlings can occasionally be raised. As a result, floating gardens are available to everyone, affordable, dependable, and completely in harmony with nature. (2,3) Furthermore, this aquatic farming practice has been shown to be highly effective in tackling the consequences of climatic variability and climate change like prolonged water-logging (3). The intervention has benefited approx. 2,000 families in the district of Gopalganj and it has opened the route for further projects that supported the practice of floating gardens (4).
To respond to most of the climate challenges and food insecurities, in 2007 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the humanitarian agency Care International, alongside other partners (including the Bangladeshi government), launched floating gardening (artificial islands, that simply rise and fall with the swelling waters) pilot project in the peri-urban area of the Gopalganj and other close by districts (1,2).
Floating gardens known locally as Baira are an old practice of crop cultivation in the wetlands of Bangladesh, the previous agricultural land, which got destroyed by the floods. The practice consists of piling together a number of dense layers of aquatic weeds like water hyacinth, duckweed, or paddy stubs and letting them decay. Afterwards, they're combined with silt and cow dung and inserted with plant/vegetable seeds left to flourish. On these beds, farmers cultivate fruits and vegetables like turmeric and ginger as well as okra, bitter gourd, snake gourd, spinach, and brinjal. In addition to veggies, rice seedlings can occasionally be raised. As a result, floating gardens are available to everyone, affordable, dependable, and completely in harmony with nature. (2,3) Furthermore, this aquatic farming practice has been shown to be highly effective in tackling the consequences of climatic variability and climate change like prolonged water-logging (3). The intervention has benefited approx. 2,000 families in the district of Gopalganj and it has opened the route for further projects that supported the practice of floating gardens (4).

