Public sector institution

The Grand Parc des Aygalades project involves the creation of a 14-hectare metropolitan park (connecting Aygalades Park with Bougainville Park and François Billoux Park) that will connect the northern neighbourhoods of Marseille to the port located further south (Ref 1). This project is part of the green conversion of Marseille's northern districts, historically among the most disadvantaged areas in France (Ref 1). The Grand Parc des Aygalades project will enhance the city's greenery, reduce flood risks, create cool zones, restore and develop biodiversity, and significantly improve residents' quality of life and air quality (Ref 1, Ref 2). The environmental and social challenges include reconnecting the populations of these neighborhoods to green spaces, services, education, sports opportunities (Ref 2).
The park project includes redesigning urban infrastructure to improve rainwater absorption and reduce flood risks, addressing the issue of impermeable and artificialized soils that exacerbate flooding during heavy rainfall (Ref 1). It also involves renaturing a 17-kilometre-long stream currently buried under railway tracks, improving flood management and rainwater drainage (Ref 1, Ref 4). The project will also convert a heavily degraded former industrial site, requiring the rehabilitation of polluted soils (Ref 1). Additionally, creating green corridors aims to mitigate the heat island effect, particularly severe in these northern districts due to the high concentration of buildings and concrete surfaces, and the lack of green spaces. Public participation will be encouraged through information meetings, thematic workshops, and an online platform for submitting ideas and feedback (Ref 4).

The initiative involved the creation of three educational spaces in social service centers for children (Bucium, Ion Holban, Bogdanesti) in Iasi and its peri-urban area that included urban gardens, the development of green spaces, and facilities for sports activities. In the urban gardens, raised and arranged in a circular design, various orchards and food-producing plants were planted, along with bushes and perennial plants introduced in the new green spaces. Additionally, benches, workshop stations, a volleyball court, and a ping-pong table were constructed alongside the green areas.
The initiative was implemented by the NGO "Asociatia Outventure" and financed through the "In stare de Bine" program, funded by Kaufland Romania and managed by the Fundatia Pentru Dezvoltarea Societatii Civile (Foundation for the Development of Civil Society). The project also included training for permanent volunteers involved in the initiative and conducted 16 thematic workshops on healthy living and ecological behaviors.
The primary target group for the initiative was children and young people at risk of social exclusion, whose circumstances worsened after the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective was to provide them with "an alternative space to develop their personalities, as well as the necessary tools to adopt a healthy lifestyle in harmony with the surrounding environment." The project had a budget of 22,127 euros and was implemented over the span of six months. (1-5)

The Färjenäs Agroforestry Garden started in 2013 in the Färjenäs park in Hisingen, Gothenburg. A group of people interested in agroforestry started a study circle on the topic the year before and then formed an association to apply their knowledge in practice. The City of Gothenburg helped the project get started by providing some funding and finding a 2000 sqm spot for the garden on land owned by the city. The Färjenäs agroforestry garden association is run by volunteers, who have planted about 200 different species of trees, bushes and herbs that produce produce. The planting and management of the garden aims to promote soil health and biodiversity. The association received funding from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency in 2020 and partnered with the Natural History Museum in Gothenburg to further promote biodiversity and wild pollinators, and has partnered with a local beekeeping association to establish a beehive in the garden. The garden is open to the public and invites the public to educational activities and working events such as planting. The association aims to be a meeting place for locals and visitors from all over the city, with different cultural backgrounds and generations. Several courses and educational programs within agroforestry, agriculture and gardening have been held at the garden. [Ref. 1-7]

In 2024, Ozanam (a housing private company) and the French Development Agency (AFD) formalized a partnership to modernize an ecological wastewater treatment plant in Saint-Joseph, a neighborhood in Fort de France. The project focuses on replacing an outdated 30-year-old installation that no longer meets current standards with a plant-based water filtration system based on the ‘Rhizosph’air’ patent. This innovative treatment process utilizes "filter gardens," which combine mechanical systems, a gravity network, and a phytoremediation approach. The system employs filters made of gravel and the roots of local plants, specifically Strelitzia reginae and Cyperus alternifolius, to naturally and effectively filter wastewater without odor (Refs 2, 3, 4).
The nature-based system purifies wastewater over an area of 2,000 square meters, with a capacity equivalent to serving 900 residents. This approach offers several advantages, including reduced maintenance costs due to its simplicity, decreased energy consumption compared to traditional treatment methods, and improved water quality released back into the environment (Ref 2). Beyond its technical efficiency, the filter gardens enhance biodiversity (Ref 2) by improving the quality of water discharged into the environment and providing habitats for various species. The solution also integrates seamlessly into the landscape, showcasing vibrant flowers native to the area (Ref 1).
Additionally, the project implementers plan to construct a walking path, provide recreational equipment, and install benches to encourage residents to utilize the area as a public green space (Refs 2, 5).

The city of Thessaloniki is tackling the energy crisis and climate change risks by prioritizing the installation of green roofs and green walls on school and municipal buildings as part of its resilience strategy, Thessaloniki 2030 (Ref 1, 2). One key project under this strategy has been implemented at EPAL Stavroupoli, one of the largest school complexes in the metropolitan area. The school, with a total built area of 11,918 sq.m and roof surfaces covering 6,042 sq.m, now includes a green roof covering 3,087 sq.m with 25,000 ground-cover plants, along with a vertical garden on three walls at the entrance, covering 100 sq.m and featuring 3,098 plants (ibid.).
The project is expected to yield multiple environmental benefits, such as reduced energy losses, improved thermal performance, enhanced sound insulation, better rainwater management, decreased runoff, and retention of harmful particles, all of which contribute to upgrading the area's green infrastructure (Ref 1). This initiative also strengthens the green fabric of western Thessaloniki and improves the local microclimate while addressing rainwater management issues (Ref 3, 4).

The Helmut Zilk Park, named after the late Mayor of Vienna, is located in the heart of the city, near the central train station. Surrounded by newly constructed residential and office buildings, the park serves as a vital green space, offering a variety of amenities. From playgrounds and sports fields to a community garden and cafés, it provides a space for social interaction and recreation. The park is characterized by large open meadows, which function as rainwater seepage areas, and features over 500 trees along its pathways., as well as community gardens. Flower groves enhance the park’s visual appeal while also providing habitats for local wildlife. The natural edges of the park create a diverse urban biotope that supports various plant and animal species. Grass and meadow communities have been carefully planned to enhance biodiversity and provide wet, humid habitats that help infiltrate rainwater from the surrounding paved areas. Already in its first year, the park has become home to insects, small animals, and even larger species like rabbits and snakes, contributing to its rich ecosystem.
The park was developed by the local municipality of Vienna on a site that was once part of the city's railway track system. It is the largest park the city has created in the past 40 years, designed to serve as a recreational area for both local residents and travelers using the nearby train station.
This project is part of a broader urban development initiative around the former Southern Railway station, led by Austria’s Federal Railways Company (ÖBB) and the City of Vienna. The plans included residential housing, office spaces, social infrastructure, and the creation of the Helmut Zilk Park.
Spanning approximately 70,000 square meters, the park stands as the largest public green space created in Vienna in four decades. The central area of the park features a large lawn, perfect for picnics, ball games, and recreational activities. (Ref. 1, 2, 3, 8)

North Bull Island is a national nature reserve located in Dublin Bay on the north side of Dublin. Supporting both local and migratory wildlife, the area holds several nature conservation designations. It is designated as a special amenity area for its aesthetic and recreational value and forms an integral part of the Dublin Bay Biosphere. The Island, with its 5 km beach located within the capital city and close to the city center, serves as a unique and important public amenity. (1)
The Island is estimated to attract up to 1.4 million visitors annually, including walkers, swimmers, beachgoers, birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, kite-surfers, and various other interest groups from the local area. Additionally, it is a popular destination for schools, universities, and visitors from Ireland and abroad who come to experience accessible examples of ecological succession across nationally and internationally significant habitats, and to learn about the intricate stories that make North Bull Island Nature Reserve central to a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and part of a global network of Biosphere Reserves. (1)
The Island and Nature Reserve are managed by the Parks, Biodiversity, and Landscape Services of Dublin City Council in collaboration with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Dublin City Council has prepared an Action Plan for North Bull Island for 2020-2025 to implement the objectives of the North Bull Island Management Plan 2020. The North Bull Island Oversight Forum, which represents a range of stakeholders, monitors the action plan’s implementation (2). The goal is to conserve the island's environmental qualities and scientific significance while balancing its recreational and amenity value for the benefit of the local community and visitors (8).

Situated in the southern suburbs of Kunming City, Dianchi is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Yunnan and the sixth largest in China (Refs 1, 2). However, due to rapid industrial development, agricultural activities around the lake, land reclamation, and population growth, Dianchi Lake became severely polluted, ranking among the most contaminated lakes in China. This pollution threatened biodiversity and degraded natural habitats (Refs 1, 2, 3). The introduction of exotic species further disrupted the lake’s ecological balance (Ref 1).
In response, the Kunming Institute of Zoology (KIZ), with funding from the Chinese Government, World Bank and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) launched the Lake Dianchi Freshwater Biodiversity Restoration Project. This initiative aimed to restore natural habitats, improve water quality through biological means, and foster community engagement and institutional capacity, creating a sustainable framework for the long-term conservation of Dianchi's unique freshwater biodiversity (Refs 1, 4).
The project was implemented across four key components: Wetland Management and Restoration, Surveys and Monitoring of Species Conservation, Capacity Building and Training, and Public Awareness (ibid.). The project was rated 'Satisfactory' in terms of outcomes, sustainability, and execution under a comprehensive evaluation framework that employed multiple indicators (Refs 4, 5).

The "Un Millón de Corales por Colombia" project is a national initiative aimed at the restoration and conservation of coral reefs across Colombia. Initiated in 2021, this ambitious project seeks to rehabilitate 200 hectares of coral reef by planting one million coral fragments across seven departments in Colombia, spanning both the Caribbean and Pacific regions​ (ref 1,2). It was developed as a response to the significant degradation of coral reefs caused by climate change, coastal development, overfishing, and pollution. These factors have led to the loss of about 80% of coral reefs in the Caribbean region.
The initiative, led by the Colombian government in partnership with organizations such as Conservación Internacional, Parques Nacionales Naturales, Corales de Paz, and several regional environmental authorities, focuses on restoring this vital ecosystem (ref 2). The project encompasses constructing and maintaining coral nurseries and training local community members, including fishermen, as "coral gardeners." These gardeners are taught scientifically proven coral restoration techniques, including microfragmentation and larval rearing methods. A key aspect of the project involves continuous education and involvement of the community and stakeholders to ensure long-term sustainability (ref 4, 5). In Cartagena, the project plays a vital role in the restoration and conservation of coral reefs in this region, which is a key site for the initiative (ref 4).

The Filter Ecosystem project, completed in 2007, aims to improve water quality and enhance the ecological health of the Molentargius wetland area in Sardinia, Italy, also known as the Molentargius Saline Regional Nature Park. This diverse territory includes freshwater basins such as Bellarosa Minore and Perdalonga, saline water basins like Bellarosa Maggiore and Stagno di Quartu, and the predominantly dry area known as Is Arenas.
The Molentargius ecosystem is a crucial European site for various aquatic birds and features diverse flora, including endemic species and endangered plants on the "Red List." It is one of the few globally recognized wetlands of international importance for aquatic birds located entirely within a large urban center, protected as a biotope by the RAMSAR Convention in Sardinia's major urban area. Since the 1980s, it has suffered environmental degradation due to inadequate infrastructure for wastewater management and human pressures.
Implemented by the city of Cagliari, the project employs a phytoremediation technique to supply water to the ponds. This involved constructing a phytoremediation system between the Bellarosa Maggiore and Bellarosa Minore ponds, functioning as a surface flow filter ecosystem resembling a marsh or wetland.
The system enhances natural self-purification processes, promoting prolonged contact between water, organic matter, and plants. This setup creates microhabitats that support microbial flora crucial for purification. The project's primary goal is to treat wastewater from the Is Arenas treatment plant, ensuring that the treated water meets optimal conditions for sustaining the wetlands' biodiversity. Additionally, the project will expand reed bed areas, vital habitats for avian species, and is designed to purify up to 300 liters of water per second to meet the area's needs (Refs. 1, 2, 3).