Ongoing

The Three Mile Creek Watershed project is part of the City Council watershed management plans (Ref 2) to stabilize the banks and the stream along the Twelve Mile Creek and Langan Park Lake, both of which drain into Three Mile Creek and Mobile Bay (Ref 1). The project aims to address the issues of degradation of the banks and destabilization of the creek, undercutting of sanitary sewer crossings and sedimentation in the creek and Langan Park Lake because of the increased water flow speed due to stormwater conveyance (Ref 2). Besides, major pollutants from run-off and sewage water contribute to the degradation of Three Mile Creek (Ref 5). Key initiatives include stabilizing the banks and streambed of the Twelve Mile Creek, dredging and restoring Langan Park Lake, and implementing instream structures to reduce erosion and protect infrastructure (Ref 2). The project also emphasizes reducing pollutants from stormwater runoff, improving water quality, and helping to protect the area’s estuarine and marine water resources (Ref 1). The project will increase natural habitat and contribute to regulating biodiversity by aiding in the abatement of invasive species such as the apple snail (Ref 2). It is expected to contribute to enhancing recreational access through the development of trails, educational programs, and water sports facilities. The overall goal is to restore ecological health, support flood control, improve the quality of life in the Mobile and Prichard communities and make the Three Mile Creek a recreational destination (Ref 6).

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 "Ruas Verdes+" (green streets) project, implemented in the parishes of Areeiro and Arroios in Lisbon, is part of a broader European initiative, Conexus, aimed at promoting green solutions in highly urbanized areas (Ref 3). The project primarily focuses on creating a tree-lined pedestrian corridor along Carlos Mardel and Francisco Sanches streets, establishing a continuous axis between the Casal Vistoso Urban Park and the Caracol da Penha Garden (Ref 1). This corridor is designed to mitigate urban heat island effects, enhance ecological connectivity, and improve residents' quality of life (Ref 5). The pilot phase includes planting 20 trees on Rua Carlos Mardel and removing a minimal number of parking spaces to balance urban greening with local needs (Ref 1). Additionally, planters are being introduced in the Bairro dos Actores area to test the community’s response to greening initiatives (Ref 1). The project also involves public participation through gardening workshops, encouraging residents to contribute to the greening effort by adding plants to their balconies (Ref 4). This initiative aims not only to enhance the urban environment but also to foster social inclusion and community engagement while addressing the challenges of climate change in Lisbon's densely populated areas (Ref 5).

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)

The Joe Louis Greenway is a 27.5-mile recreational pathway designed to create safe, connected, and equitable spaces throughout Detroit. It will link 23 neighborhoods across Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, and Dearborn, connecting them to each other and to the Detroit riverfront. The greenway will transform a blighted, abandoned rail corridor into a park that runs through the heart of Detroit's communities. (Ref. 2, 3)
This project is guided by a Framework Plan funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and shaped by extensive community input. Residents voiced a strong desire for the greenway to provide off-street recreation and increased access to green spaces across Detroit. Additionally, they advocated for the restoration and remediation of former industrial sites, which the Conrail section of the greenway will address. (Ref. 4) The design incorporates stormwater management to mitigate flooding, native meadow plantings to support bird habitats, and tree-lined paths for shade and improved air quality. The Framework Plan ensures the Joe Louis Greenway will transform infrastructure that once divided neighborhoods into one that unites them, reconnects natural systems, drives economic redevelopment, and fosters a resilient social network. (Ref. 13)
The concept originated in 2007 with the Friends of the Inner Circle Greenway local NGO and became part of the Detroit Greenways Coalition Network Vision in 2009. The Detroit Greenways Coalition Network Vision is a comprehensive plan developed by the Detroit Greenways Coalition (NGO), an organization dedicated to promoting non-motorized transportation and green infrastructure throughout the city. After years of advocacy and collaboration with the city of Detroit, the project’s route was finalized. In 2017, Mayor Mike Duggan announced the greenway would be renamed in honor of Joe Louis, the legendary boxer and Detroit native who championed African Americans' rights and symbolized social justice. (Ref. 1, 2,)

The "Há Vida no Meu Bairro" project is an innovative urban initiative led by the Lisbon City Council aimed at transforming the city into a "15-minute city." This concept ensures that all essential urban functions, such as commerce, green spaces, education, sports, culture, health, and social support, are within a 15-minute walk from residents' homes. The project promotes neighbourhood identity, quality of life, active mobility, and the development of safer, more comfortable public spaces. By integrating these elements, the initiative seeks to create multifunctional neighbourhoods where daily needs can be met locally, reducing dependence on cars and enhancing pedestrian accessibility (Ref 1).
Lisbon's approach is both city-wide and neighbourhood-specific, with pilot projects being developed in collaboration with the city's 24 parishes. These projects focus on improving public spaces and pedestrian mobility, reinforcing the city's commitment to sustainability and community engagement (Ref 2). The initiative also emphasizes the importance of public participation, encouraging residents to contribute to the design and development of their neighbourhoods and enhancement of local identity and green spaces (Ref 3).

Cagliari's waterfront is currently characterized by extensive soil sealing, which has rendered the soil impermeable, leading to a loss of biodiversity and contributing to the urban heat island effect. Additionally, the waterfront is disconnected from the city due to heavy traffic. In 2023, the Municipality of Cagliari launched the "Green Promenade for Cagliari’s Seafront" project, aimed at revitalizing the waterfront and reconnecting the city with its coastal heritage. Led by Stefano Boeri Architetti, the project seeks to transform the area into a continuous green space that integrates pedestrian pathways with shaded public areas, functioning as a "green lung" to mitigate urban heat and enhance biodiversity.
The initiative will introduce over 200 new trees and 5,700 square meters of green space, creating a park that beautifies the area, improves air quality, and lowers local temperatures. A key focus of the project is fostering cultural and social inclusion by developing new community hubs that encourage diverse activities and strengthen social cohesion. Additional features include recreational areas, sports fields, and outdoor seating. (Ref. 1, 2,3)
The project also aims to enhance social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and urban connectivity, ultimately transforming the waterfront into a vibrant public space that reflects Cagliari’s identity.
However, the lengthy construction process has disrupted local businesses and reduced foot traffic, making the area less attractive during the redevelopment phase. (Refs. 10, 11, 12 & 13).

The Floating University was initiated in 2018 at the rainwater retention basin of the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin. Though not an official university, it serves as a space for transdisciplinary, communal learning, transforming an abandoned urban site into a vibrant community resource. The project reclaims the basin, hosting workshops and events that range from ecological lectures to cultural and art programs, fostering collaboration between diverse disciplines and communities.
The architecture collective raumlaborberlin originally envisioned the project as a six-month initiative. Artists, universities, and seminar groups contributed to designing the space and organizing workshops. However, due to its success, an NGO, Floating e.V., was established to sustain the project. Today, the NGO manages the site and continues its mission of engaging communities with urban and ecological themes.
After Tempelhof airport closed in 2008, the basin was infrequently cleaned, leading to contamination and sediment accumulation. Over time, a wetland ecosystem emerged, attracting plants, insects, birds, mammals, and amphibians. This natural development complements the Floating University’s infrastructure, which consists of open timber structures like a kitchen, art installations, communal spaces, vertical gardens, gardening beds, and an auditorium. These structures integrate seamlessly with the basin’s existing technical framework and wetland environment.
Floating e.V. aims to make the basin accessible to Berlin’s urban population while sparking discussions about urban climate, resource management, and water cycles through diverse and artistic programs. Smaller initiatives focus on specific ecological themes, such as plant diversity and soil health, through projects like a seed archive and soil lab.
The Floating University exemplifies how abandoned urban spaces can be revitalized into hubs for learning, creativity, and ecological awareness. (1-3, 8, 9)

A community garden opened in 2023 on the Technological University (TU) Dublin Blanchardstown campus. This environmental education and social inclusion project is a collaborative effort involving Fingal County Council, Global Action Plan Ireland, TU Dublin, and the local community. It provides a space for local groups and schools to grow fresh produce, reconnect with nature, and foster a stronger sense of community.
Rooted in a successful template developed by Global Action Plan in Ballymun, this initiative promotes social and cultural inclusion alongside environmental education. The Green Living & Sustainability Community Garden (GLAS) aims to create an inclusive environment that welcomes individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. More than a site for cultivating plants, flowers, and vegetables, the garden serves as a hub for fostering social connections, enhancing well-being, and offering valuable educational opportunities.
The garden provides individuals with the chance to engage in social horticulture, exploring the connections between food, health, biodiversity, and global issues such as climate change. It operates on organic and regenerative principles, with all tasks and harvests shared by volunteers. Additionally, the garden will support youth gardening projects and public workshops on topics such as growing food, composting, water harvesting, and waste management. Beyond its environmental benefits, the garden helps people connect with one another, positively impacting social, physical, and mental well-being.

The city-wide project Urban Trees for Berlin was launched in 2012 with an ambitious goal: to plant 10,000 roadside trees within five years. This campaign, a key part of the Berlin Senate's Urban Green Space Strategy, is a collaboration between the Senate Department responsible for the environment and Berlin’s district authorities. Initially set to end in 2017, the campaign was extended through 2026.
The project was created to address the loss of numerous roadside trees that were removed due to age, pests, climate stress, and other factors. Limited funds had been available to replace these trees, resulting in negative impacts on Berlin's urban climate, including higher temperatures and worsened air quality, which affect both residents and visitors. The campaign aims to reverse these impacts by securing funding for new trees, restoring greenery to the city streets, and promoting a lasting positive image of Berlin’s urban trees.
The campaign operates on a co-funding model, where individuals, organizations, and companies donate €500 per tree (individually or collectively), with the Senate covering the remaining costs from the state budget (approximately €2,000 per tree). The planting schedule and locations are organized twice annually, with information shared online to keep the public informed.
In 2022, a new assessment of the project’s progress was conducted, commissioned by the Senate to the Arbo-tec office. Around 1,000 of the 3,500 trees planted as part of the campaign by autumn 2022 were evaluated. The selected locations included plantings from all previous construction phases, spanning 12 Berlin districts, with each district having 80 trees assessed from various phases and construction lots. This comprehensive evaluation is intended to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the Urban Trees for Berlin initiative. (3, 4)