Jin Wellbeing
Jin wellbeing is a senior-oriented lifestyle complex in Bangkok, Thailand, which comprises residences, commercial units and hospitals. The first phase of the development has been completed in 2020. This phase included five residential buildings with senior hospitals, wellness centres and green spaces that cover over 40% of the site. The project aims to create a sustainable living environment while enhancing both the physical and mental health of the people through nature with the “Community of Revine Forest” concept. The main interventions include an urban forest, a therapeutic garden, a community farm, an outdoor exercise area, and a multipurpose area. Ecologically sustainable design has been integrated into the planting strategies and water management to create a resilient ecosystem, mitigate flood and improve water retention capabilities of the area for irrigation purposes. (Ref. 1,2,3,4,5)
Adopt-A-Park
The Adopt-a-Park project is an urban re-greening and renewal program. The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), working together with the 17 Metro Manila local government units (LGUs), has launched the initiative to address rapid urbanization and urban decay by creating new green areas and renovating existing but underutilized or derelict neighbourhood spaces [4]. The project is part of the "I ♡ Metro Manila" advocacy program of the MMDA, which was launched to "uplift the spirits of the residents recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to strengthen initiatives on urban renewal that aims to transform the metropolis to be a more livable, greener, and resilient region"[1].
River rehabilitation and creation of green corridor
The Porsuk Stream divides the city of Eskişehir into two with a green corridor running along the shores of the stream. The Porsuk Stream served provisioning services and acted as a recreational area in the first half of the 20th century, however with increased industrial activities discharging untreated wastewater into the river, rapid urbanisation in the city and other settlements, and increased fertilisers and pesticides in the groundwater originated from agricultural practices (upstream of the Porsuk River), it became highly polluted and its ecosystem degraded severely (1,2,4,5). The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) identified the stream as one of the highly dangerous rivers in terms of pollution and health, where no living beings except viruses live (1).
Within the framework of the 'Eskişehir Urban Development Project' the 'Natural Disaster Loss Reduction Project (Porsuk Project)' has been initiated focusing on the ecological restoration of the stream, improving water quality, increasing the resilience of the city against natural disasters (as earthquakes and floods) while also reestablishing the stream's environmental and social role in the city (1). A network of natural infrastructure was created along the Porsuk by expanding public green spaces and link the entire corridor with a sustainable public transport network. (4,5)
Within the framework of the 'Eskişehir Urban Development Project' the 'Natural Disaster Loss Reduction Project (Porsuk Project)' has been initiated focusing on the ecological restoration of the stream, improving water quality, increasing the resilience of the city against natural disasters (as earthquakes and floods) while also reestablishing the stream's environmental and social role in the city (1). A network of natural infrastructure was created along the Porsuk by expanding public green spaces and link the entire corridor with a sustainable public transport network. (4,5)
Resilient Rosario
From 1998-2002 Argentina went through an economic depression, which began after the Russian and Brazilian financial crises, caused widespread unemployment, riots, the fall of the government, and a default on the country's foreign debt. Rosario, the third-most populous city in the country, was not a stranger to the crisis' effects as many of its inhabitants were now living under the poverty line. Coupled with this, climate change was heating up the city and making rainfall more erratic, leading to both flooding in Rosario and fires in the nearby river delta. To tackle urban inequality and climate change the Municipality of Rosario developed a program called "Urban Agriculture Program" which aims to give low-income residents access to underutilized and abandoned public and private land to cultivate food. Over the years, the municipality evolved the program into a cornerstone of its inclusive climate action planning. (1)
Pocket Parks in Budapest
The creation of pocket parks is an urban initiative that has steadily grown throughout Budapest since 2010 (Reference 1). Most of these projects are citizen-led, but there is often support provided in the form of education and consultancy by initiatives such as the Contemporary Architecture Center (KÉK), or sometimes the local government (Reference 8). These spaces, typically covering an area of 1400 square meters only, are multi-functional and provide a space for small-scale food production, recreation, community sharing, and can be a fundamental element of neighbourhood rehabilitation. Moreover, it provides positive environmental effects such as water retention and the improvement of the area's micro-climate. Pocket-parks are critical in increasing the number of green areas in neighbourhoods that have limited space. (Reference 9)
Leisure Park in Monte Abraão
Work is underway to build an Urban Park at Rua Ramada Curto, in Monte Abraão. The leisure park will be 6,200 m² and includes a children's playground, a space for seniors, the creation of green space for recreation and park protection with a perimeter of bushes and trees. It will be a continuous green zone of recreation and leisure with numerous access points[1]."People will be able to enjoy this place that is an added value to the community and an investment in the quality of life of our citizens"[2]. For improving accessibility parking spaces and paths were created to benefit the residents[1].
The Field Group Duddingston
The field is a 3.5 hectare of grassland, grazed by horses for over 20 years. After it fell vacant in early 2011, a group of local residents (“The Field Group”) negotiated a community lease with its owners, City of Edinburgh Council, with the aims of creating an orchard, creating/restoring semi-natural habitats and encouraging its use for quiet recreation and informal education. Members can volunteer their gardening labour or donate money. They can then participate in a garden run for the community – whether to pick the vegetables, learn fruit-growing, help to keep the chickens or just enjoy the space. [ref 1, 2]
Municipal Urban Garden of Agios Dimitrios
After 2011, in the face of crisis and austerity hardship and the collapse of the central public welfare system, many municipalities assumed the role of enhancing food production through urban allotment gardens. In Ag. Dimitrios (AD), the idea emerged from a couple of newly elected representatives one of whom was part of an agriculture cooperative outside of Athens. A mixture of social and environmental goals were set (to change the microclimate, to change people's habits, to reintroduce contact with nature in the city, to be environment-friendly through good practices, and to create an educational ground for children). [1]
Recovery of the English Garden
“The Sintra Parks concluded the project of recovery of the English Garden, in the Park of Pena, that aimed to stop the advanced state of degradation of this area and to solve situations that represented a risk to the mobility and safety of the visitors.” (ref 1)
The NBS includes planting trees to regrow the tree cover of the area. (ref 1)
The NBS includes planting trees to regrow the tree cover of the area. (ref 1)
Municipal Urban Community Gardens of Rekalde
In 2015, Bilbao City Council launched a pilot project of municipal urban gardens in the district of Rekalde. These urban gardens aim to improve the quality of life of residents by promoting a healthy lifestyle within the neighborhood. Additionally, the municipal urban gardens support a broader initiative to create ecological connectivity across the city’s Green Belt, by linking forest parks with urban parks. (Ref 1)

