Ballyfermot People's Park
In 2021-2022, the fenced grassy area beside the Ballyfermot Community Civic Centre was transformed into a welcoming 'people’s park'—an open green space for the community (2). Designed by Dublin City Council’s Parks, Biodiversity, and Landscape Services, the park reflects ideas from local residents gathered over eight months of on-site conversations and two community consultation events.
The new park features a winding perimeter path, earth mounds planted with a variety of trees and plants for seasonal color, and infrastructure to support small community gatherings. An open pergola and a designated market space for food, plant, and craft markets provide inviting spots for social events. Along the park’s edge, a movement trail with playable elements for exercise and play adds a dynamic feature to the space.
Furthermore, a Jackstraws See-Saw is ideal for older children to play in groups and learn about movement whilst also being a tremendous informal seating area for them to gather and chat. Trees cover the See-Saw, offering shade and shelter from the weather, making it a great social space all year round. A Rope Course provides a physical challenge for older children to climb and balance at height while exploring the area. Informal play opportunities are found throughout the park to, with trees, fallen logs, benches and planting that create sensory, imaginative and physical play experiences. (5-7)
Additionally, an edible garden is planned to be developed collaboratively with local residents over the next 2-3 years (4).
The new park features a winding perimeter path, earth mounds planted with a variety of trees and plants for seasonal color, and infrastructure to support small community gatherings. An open pergola and a designated market space for food, plant, and craft markets provide inviting spots for social events. Along the park’s edge, a movement trail with playable elements for exercise and play adds a dynamic feature to the space.
Furthermore, a Jackstraws See-Saw is ideal for older children to play in groups and learn about movement whilst also being a tremendous informal seating area for them to gather and chat. Trees cover the See-Saw, offering shade and shelter from the weather, making it a great social space all year round. A Rope Course provides a physical challenge for older children to climb and balance at height while exploring the area. Informal play opportunities are found throughout the park to, with trees, fallen logs, benches and planting that create sensory, imaginative and physical play experiences. (5-7)
Additionally, an edible garden is planned to be developed collaboratively with local residents over the next 2-3 years (4).
Thessaloniki's New waterfront
Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest urban center, is a key hub for economic growth and outward trade in the Balkans. The city hosts the country’s second-largest export port, which plays a crucial role in connecting European trade routes with Asia and China. However, until 2014, Thessaloniki's waterfront was poorly maintained, largely inaccessible, and unattractive. Moreover, major flooding events, connected to extreme weather events, exposed significant deficiencies in the city's flood mitigation infrastructure, leading to damage to housing and critical services. (5, 10, 11)
To address these issues, the Municipality of Thessaloniki launched an International Architectural Competition for the redevelopment of the New Waterfront. From 2006 to 2014, Thessaloniki's waterfront underwent a significant regeneration aimed at benefiting the city's population of 1.1 million and stimulating the local economy. The revitalized waterfront now stretches 3 kilometers between land and sea, featuring 58,000 acres of green space an playgrounds.. In total, 2,353 new trees and 118,432 plants were added across an area of 238,800 m² (Refs 1, 3, 4).
The project also introduced walking routes, sports and recreational facilities, seating areas, and scenic viewing points. The waterfront now has a bicycle path along the entire walkway, and an arbour of 660 umbrella pine trees, serving as shade from the midday sun. Completed in 2014, the New Waterfront has already become a vibrant urban green space, enjoyed by both Thessaloniki's citizens and visitors alike (Ref 4).
To address these issues, the Municipality of Thessaloniki launched an International Architectural Competition for the redevelopment of the New Waterfront. From 2006 to 2014, Thessaloniki's waterfront underwent a significant regeneration aimed at benefiting the city's population of 1.1 million and stimulating the local economy. The revitalized waterfront now stretches 3 kilometers between land and sea, featuring 58,000 acres of green space an playgrounds.. In total, 2,353 new trees and 118,432 plants were added across an area of 238,800 m² (Refs 1, 3, 4).
The project also introduced walking routes, sports and recreational facilities, seating areas, and scenic viewing points. The waterfront now has a bicycle path along the entire walkway, and an arbour of 660 umbrella pine trees, serving as shade from the midday sun. Completed in 2014, the New Waterfront has already become a vibrant urban green space, enjoyed by both Thessaloniki's citizens and visitors alike (Ref 4).
Choquehuanca Square
Lima is the capital of the region with the lowest coverage of green spaces. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a city should have at least 9m2 of green space per inhabitant. Lima is just over 3m2 square metres, which means a deficit of almost 60 million square metres. In this context, actions from the public and private sectors are essential to add this type of space to the city. In response to this need, Grupo Centenario carried out a green project on one of its plots of land in San Isidro, where real estate projects will be developed (1, 2, 3, 4).
A square was built with a green area with wild and low-consumption species, knocking down the walls that surrounded the land for years, turning it into a place for everyone to see and use (1, 2, 3, 4). The Choquehuanca Square was built to contribute to the community and make it a better place to live. It is located on a plot of land that was previously enclosed by walls, converting it into an area of 3,945 m2 with a green space that occupies 70% of the square (1, 2, 3). This is a temporary project, as the green space was opened while projects are being developed on this land (1, 2, 3).
A square was built with a green area with wild and low-consumption species, knocking down the walls that surrounded the land for years, turning it into a place for everyone to see and use (1, 2, 3, 4). The Choquehuanca Square was built to contribute to the community and make it a better place to live. It is located on a plot of land that was previously enclosed by walls, converting it into an area of 3,945 m2 with a green space that occupies 70% of the square (1, 2, 3). This is a temporary project, as the green space was opened while projects are being developed on this land (1, 2, 3).
Biotope City Wienerberg
Biotope City Wienerberg is located in the southern part of Vienna on a 5.4-hectare site that once housed a Coca-Cola factory. It lies at the edge of the Wienerberg recreational area, surrounded by business parks and tower blocks to the west and predominantly detached houses to the east (Ref. 1).
The project embodies the concept of an "urban biotope" (Ref. 2), grounded in the principle that nature's mechanisms of self-regeneration are essential for mitigating the challenges of urban living and climate change. By integrating urban and natural spaces, Biotope City fosters both human-nature connections and social interactions through activities like community gardening. The project’s centerpiece is its extensive green infrastructure, including trees and green roofs, which serve to cool the microclimate, purify the air, enhance water retention, and create carbon sinks while providing habitats for local wildlife. These green spaces aim to improve physical health through cooling effects on hot days and support mental well-being with their calming influence (Ref. 1; Ref. 2).
Biotope City encompasses:
Around 980 flats, including 400 subsidized flats and 200 SMART flats
A school, a kindergarten, and 2,000 square meters of children's and youth playgrounds
600 square meters of community gardens and 3,850 square meters of ground-floor gardens
250 trees, 8,900 square meters of meadows, and 13,600 square meters of green roofs
2,200 square meters of façade greening
The inner courtyards and roof areas are designed for gardening, while façades are greened, and balconies are equipped with integrated plant troughs. Even the spaces between buildings are climate-effective, featuring unsealed catchment and seepage areas to manage water sustainably (Ref. 1).
The project’s implementation took 18 years and involved collaboration among various stakeholders. The concept was initiated by the Biotope City Foundation and funded by eight different investors (Ref. 2).
The project embodies the concept of an "urban biotope" (Ref. 2), grounded in the principle that nature's mechanisms of self-regeneration are essential for mitigating the challenges of urban living and climate change. By integrating urban and natural spaces, Biotope City fosters both human-nature connections and social interactions through activities like community gardening. The project’s centerpiece is its extensive green infrastructure, including trees and green roofs, which serve to cool the microclimate, purify the air, enhance water retention, and create carbon sinks while providing habitats for local wildlife. These green spaces aim to improve physical health through cooling effects on hot days and support mental well-being with their calming influence (Ref. 1; Ref. 2).
Biotope City encompasses:
Around 980 flats, including 400 subsidized flats and 200 SMART flats
A school, a kindergarten, and 2,000 square meters of children's and youth playgrounds
600 square meters of community gardens and 3,850 square meters of ground-floor gardens
250 trees, 8,900 square meters of meadows, and 13,600 square meters of green roofs
2,200 square meters of façade greening
The inner courtyards and roof areas are designed for gardening, while façades are greened, and balconies are equipped with integrated plant troughs. Even the spaces between buildings are climate-effective, featuring unsealed catchment and seepage areas to manage water sustainably (Ref. 1).
The project’s implementation took 18 years and involved collaboration among various stakeholders. The concept was initiated by the Biotope City Foundation and funded by eight different investors (Ref. 2).
The Green Rush
The project La Ruée Verte aims to create a green corridor connecting two emblematic locations for social and environmental justice: La Base Marseille and L’Après M. The route spans over 7 km and passes through La Friche de La Belle de Mai and aims to bring more nature into the city on a larger scale in a fair and equitable way (Ref 2).
Given the challenges of climate change—rising temperatures, urban heat islands, fewer trees in Marseille, and increasing urbanization—the green corridor will offer a solution to combat the suffocating effects of the city’s concrete sprawl (Ref 2). Additionally, it aims to reduce pollution peaks and improve air quality (Ref 2), increase biodiversity (Ref 2), and provide access to green spaces and places for social interaction (Ref 2).
The project also addresses the broader social crisis, with rising costs of food, housing, and transportation (Ref 2). Local solidarity is key, ensuring that all green initiatives foster community interaction and consider the urgent needs of residents, such as precarious living conditions and isolation (Ref 2). Collective participation is central to the project, ensuring that it is designed by and for residents of different neighborhoods, reflecting their realities. The project, called “La Ruée Verte,” aims to unite various citizen groups, social centers, and associations to amplify their voices (Ref 2).
The project's first phase, “La Petite Ruée,” will launch in October 2024, following a year of preparation. It will start with neighbourhood micro-projects and shared advocacy, including events and gatherings (Ref 2). The goal is to collectively think about social and climate justice and begin taking concrete actions towards popular ecology in each neighbourhood (Ref 2).
Given the challenges of climate change—rising temperatures, urban heat islands, fewer trees in Marseille, and increasing urbanization—the green corridor will offer a solution to combat the suffocating effects of the city’s concrete sprawl (Ref 2). Additionally, it aims to reduce pollution peaks and improve air quality (Ref 2), increase biodiversity (Ref 2), and provide access to green spaces and places for social interaction (Ref 2).
The project also addresses the broader social crisis, with rising costs of food, housing, and transportation (Ref 2). Local solidarity is key, ensuring that all green initiatives foster community interaction and consider the urgent needs of residents, such as precarious living conditions and isolation (Ref 2). Collective participation is central to the project, ensuring that it is designed by and for residents of different neighborhoods, reflecting their realities. The project, called “La Ruée Verte,” aims to unite various citizen groups, social centers, and associations to amplify their voices (Ref 2).
The project's first phase, “La Petite Ruée,” will launch in October 2024, following a year of preparation. It will start with neighbourhood micro-projects and shared advocacy, including events and gatherings (Ref 2). The goal is to collectively think about social and climate justice and begin taking concrete actions towards popular ecology in each neighbourhood (Ref 2).
Leopold Rister park
The Leopold-Rister park, named after a former district officer, is located in the Margareten district in Vienna and was renovated in 2023 based on the community's wishes for recreational opportunities. The park is surrounded by residential buildings and featured a playground for children, some greens and a football pitch. (Ref. 1) On the initiative of the city government, local residents and people using the park were surveyed on their preferences and needs for a potential redesign of the park. (Ref. 8) Within a year, the park was remodelled, featuring the wished for elements by locals, and was opened in 2024.
Spaces for recreation like playgrounds, benches, and gaming tables were increased or installed. To reduce the heat stress of the urban environment, trees were planted that provide shadow and water play for children to cool down were implemented. Already existing lawns and greens were restored, and new shrubs were added to provide habitats for different local insect and bird species. (Ref. 1; Ref. 6)
The project was initiated and financed by the City of Vienna and presents one of many greening activities that the city pursues to adapt to climate change. (Ref. 1; Ref. 2)
Spaces for recreation like playgrounds, benches, and gaming tables were increased or installed. To reduce the heat stress of the urban environment, trees were planted that provide shadow and water play for children to cool down were implemented. Already existing lawns and greens were restored, and new shrubs were added to provide habitats for different local insect and bird species. (Ref. 1; Ref. 6)
The project was initiated and financed by the City of Vienna and presents one of many greening activities that the city pursues to adapt to climate change. (Ref. 1; Ref. 2)
Green areas in San Franciso neighborhood
The project aims to restore green spaces in the neighbourhoods of San Francisco and 7 de Agosto. Led by Aguas de Cartagena, in partnership with other organizations, the initiative focused on environmental recovery, social integration, and reducing inequality through the revitalization of community spaces. Activities included planting native species, maintaining community infrastructure, and promoting environmental education, contributing to climate change mitigation and fostering a healthier, more sustainable environment (ref 4). As part of a collaborative effort between Aguas de Cartagena and SACSA, a synthetic grass sports field named El Wio was constructed with an investment of around 60 million pesos. The project aimed to foster community integration and provide safe spaces for sports and recreation, and it also included improving drainage systems, installing solar-powered lighting, and creating green spaces around the field (ref 5). Additionally, the Biblioparque, a community library and park in San Francisco, was rehabilitated to restore the library infrastructure, including terraces, reading rooms, and green spaces. The initiative provides a vital cultural and educational space for the community, especially for children, youth, and the elderly, fostering a culture of reading and community engagement. It also addresses previous safety concerns after a fire incident and aims to promote arts and cultural activities( ref 3). In parallel, a long-term initiative, in collaboration with the local government, provided educational tools and resources to over 1,000 children and youth in San Francisco (ref 2).
Garden Beneath the Walls
The Garden Under the Walls, also known as the Garden of the Brothers Giuseppe and Vittorino Fiori, is a green space located in the historic Villanova district of Cagliari, along Viale Regina Elena. Inaugurated on 28 March 2014, the project transformed a long-neglected area beneath the Castello walls into a garden promenade. Closed to the public for many years due to ongoing construction, this green space has been reopened and returned to the city.
The garden spans 500 meters in length and covers an area of 6,500 square meters. The total renovation cost was 1.8 million euros.
The project focused on preserving the historical significance of the area while ensuring the safety of the Castello walls. The accessible pathway, designed to accommodate people with disabilities, features seven sculptures by renowned Sardinian artist Pinuccio Sciola, adding an artistic dimension to the space. This project successfully blends green spaces, accessibility, and culture (Refs. 1, 2, 3 & 4).
The garden spans 500 meters in length and covers an area of 6,500 square meters. The total renovation cost was 1.8 million euros.
The project focused on preserving the historical significance of the area while ensuring the safety of the Castello walls. The accessible pathway, designed to accommodate people with disabilities, features seven sculptures by renowned Sardinian artist Pinuccio Sciola, adding an artistic dimension to the space. This project successfully blends green spaces, accessibility, and culture (Refs. 1, 2, 3 & 4).
Ameixoeira Valley Urban Park
The Vale da Ameixoeira Urban Park is a key part of Lisbon's Peripheral Green Corridor, covering 20 hectares and aiming to enhance the city's ecological and social resilience. It includes pedestrian and cycling paths, rest areas, picnic spots, skate parks, and playgrounds, enabling recreational activities while providing scenic views (Ref 1). The park has undergone several requalification initiatives, including the tree planting project in 2018, which saw the community and municipal bodies plant over 130 native trees and shrubs, promoting biodiversity and environmental sustainability (Ref 3). Additionally, the park supports community-based vegetable gardens, integrating horticultural practices to promote local engagement and foster social inclusion (Ref 3). More recently, as part of the Life Lungs project, another 600 drought-resistant trees were planted to mitigate climate change impacts, such as urban heating and water scarcity (Ref 5). The Lisbon Participatory Budget funds the project and reflects the community’s demand for sustainable urban development (Ref 2).
Sant'Elia: shared orchard
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).
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).
